2. Keller Chryst, QB
The only reason Stanford grad transfer Keller Chryst isn’t No. 1 on this list is because there’s no guarantee he’ll win the Vols’ starting quarterback job. But right now, he’s likely the odds-on favorite to do so.
Chryst was effective for the most part when he started for Stanford, completing 55.4 percent of 289 pass attempts for 1,926 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. He also ran for 164 yards and three scores. He wasn’t flashy, but he produced until injury sidelined him last season and K.J. Costello stepped in and performed better.
Redshirt sophomore Jarrett Guarantano won’t back down from Chryst in their competition to start for Tennessee at quarterback. But Chryst has the edge in experience and running the type of offensive system that offensive coordinator Tyson Helton wants to implement at Tennessee. If he wins the job, then he’ll have the biggest impact of any one player on the team. But that’s not a guarantee right now.
