One of the biggest storylines surrounding the Vols this offseason has been the ongoing quarterback battle between junior Quinten Dormady and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano. The two are fighting for the chance to replace the production senior quarterback Josh Dobbs had in 2016.
But, according to Butch Jones, there’s a chance both may be on the field during games for the Vols this season.
Jones was asked about the Vols’ quarterback battle during his time at the podium in front of the national media at SEC Media Days on Monday. At first, Jones said a starter would be named “when the time was right,” but he would go on to add more to his answer, saying that “if both players earn the right to play, we’ll play both quarterbacks.”
Jones says they will announce a starting quarterback “when the time is right.”
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) July 10, 2017
Jones on possibility of 2 QB system: If both players earn the right to play, we’ll play both quarterbacks
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) July 10, 2017
Tennessee’s last true quarterback battle under Jones happened before the 2014 season. Jones eventually named Justin Worley the starter before Worley sustained a season-ending injury mid-season, and Josh Dobbs would eventually take over as the starter.
Jones hasn’t run a dual-quarterback system while at Tennessee, but he did during his time at Cincinnati. Jones used a two-quarterback system in 2011 with senior Zach Collaros and sophomore Munchie Legaux. The two quarterbacks helped lead the Bearcats to a 10-3 record and a share of the Big East title.
Jones also reiterated Shy Tuttle is expected to be back for fall camp in August, and he claimed fellow defensive lineman Kyle Phillips is back to full health.
Injury update: Butch Jones says Kyle Phillips is back to full health
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) July 10, 2017
Jones reiterates that they expect Shy Tuttle to be ready for fall camp
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) July 10, 2017
Jones also took time to praise the new coaches on staff, and he especially likes that the Vols now have three former head coaches on staff under him. He also shared an interesting story about himself and Mike Canales when they used to go to football camps together.
Jones: The exciting thing about this coaching staff is that we now have three former head coaches
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) July 10, 2017
Jones says he and Mike Canales used to take the mirrors off bathroom walls and draw up plays on them when at football camps together
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) July 10, 2017
Phillip Fulmer and Peyton Manning are two people Jones said he keeps in constant contact with. The former is now an employee of the University of Tennessee once again, and the latter still makes visits UT now that he’s retired from the NFL.
Butch Jones says he’s in constant communication with Peyton Manning
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) July 10, 2017
Jones says he consults with Phillip Fulmer “all the time.”
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) July 10, 2017
When asked about the 2016 season, Jones said he “doesn’t view it as a disappointment” despite the Vols collapsing down the stretch and letting the SEC East title slip through their grasp.
Jones says he doesn’t view 2016 as a disappointment. “We didn’t accomplish everything we set out to do…but it wasn’t a disappointment.”
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) July 10, 2017
Earlier today, Jones updated the injury status of Shy Tuttle, gave updates on how captains will work for the Vols this year, and more.
One Response
As a 50 year fan of UT sports, I think I have some knowledge of what makes a team successful and Coach Jones is on the right track, evidenced by his record, bowl wins and current recruiting. We as fans, should build up our team and stop making unnecessary comments on social media about our team and coach. Let’s cheer them on, win or lose. “Five Star Hearts” is what makes champions and don’t forget it. There have been many two and three star players that have played like five stars due to their hearts and that feeling of great accomplishment. Our football team will win if we are behind them 100 percent, but only then will they succeed. So, with that said, let’s all get ready for football time in Tennessee!!! GBO!!!!!