Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt joined us on “The Drive” Friday afternoon to discuss a number of topics, including the quarterback competition for the Vols heading into the 2020 season.
2019 had three different QB’s getting starts at different points of the season, not including Jauan Jennings, who also saw some action.
Jarrett Guarantano had the full support of Pruitt as spring ball was wrapping up, even saying that Guarantano would be the one leading the team, as fall camp started.
Unfortunately for Tennessee, the season got off to a rough start, which led to many questions as to who would be the starting QB most of the year.
So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the question is being asked again, as Tennessee had spring practice cut short due to COVID-19. There are three QB’s that return this season who started for the Vols in 2019, and with the addition of Harrison Bailey, it leads to a crowded QB room.
But Pruitt, who had to answer questions every week last season about who would be under-center for that particular game, is trying to make it known that the position will be up for grabs again this year.
“It was totally different circumstances last year in terms of Jarrett’s experience being far and away ahead of the guys when it comes to an experience standpoint. This past year, other guys got opportunities.
Just like every position, guys, we’re going to play the best guys that give us the best chance to win. Whether it’s quarterback, center, punt returner, long snapper, or punter, that’s the great thing about sports is that it’s a performance based industry, and you’ve got to perform. You’ve got to perform as a player. You’ve got to perform as a coach. That’s the way we’re going to continue to figure out who is going to play on our team.”
We will see if this holds true, as things have been turned upside down over the past month. You would have to think that with limited time to impress the coaches, whenever these players return, that Guarantano has the upper hand in the QB battle.
If we are lucky enough to get college football this fall, it’s fair to assume that we know who the starting QB will be when Charlotte comes to town.
But with the way 2019 played out, Tennessee is counting on consistent play from the man behind center.
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