Former Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano returned to Rocky Top for the first time since his playing days for the Alabama game on Saturday, according to Outkick’s Trey Wallace.
Guarantano was roaming the sideline during pregame along with several other notable former Vols including Bears OT Darnell Wright and Saints RB Alvin Kamara.
Wallace also revealed in subsequent tweets that Guarantano said he had “an amazing time” and “got to visit with the staff on Friday and folks around the football facility.”
Guarantano commented on the picture during the game on Saturday night.
“Nothing like Home,” the former Vol quarterback wrote. “#GreatToBeATennesseeVol”
Nothing like Home. #GreatToBeATennesseeVol https://t.co/PbIqMiZ6xB
— Jarrett Guarantano✞ (@JayGuarantano) October 20, 2024
More from RTI: Kickoff Time, Broadcast Details Flexed For Tennessee Football’s Matchup Against Kentucky
Tennessee fans filled the comments with welcoming remarks.
“VFL means a lot to me,” one user with the tag name Bobby J. Heupel wrote in a comment that received more than one hundred likes. “I believe you gave your all for us. Your coaches weren’t up to the task. I always pulled for you while you were on the field.”
“I don’t care what yall say Jarrett Guarantano gave his all for Tennessee and is a VFL,” another user wrote.
“I would have loved to see you play for Heupel,” David wrote on X. “Would have been a different world.”
Guarantano spent five years at Tennessee from 2016 to the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Guarantano took a redshirt season during his freshman year but would find himself as the Vols’ starter in 2017 midway through the season in replacement of Quinten Dormady. Tennessee continued to struggle as Guarantano saw head coach Butch Jones fired after his first playing season in Knoxville.
The New Jersey native remained the starter in 2018 as he had a new offensive coordinator and new head coach at the helm. Guarantano’s season was highlighted by a win over No. 21 Auburn on the road and just three interceptions in 12 regular season games, Tennessee’s lowest at the time since Condredge Holloway in 1972.
Guarantano would see his fourth offensive coordinator in as many years with Tennessee football entering what would end up being a disastrous 2019 season. Tennessee began the season 0-2 for the first time since 1988 and Guarantano would be benched fairly early in the season. Guarantano ended up retaking the starter role after an injury to Brian Maurer and played the final few games of the season with a broken non-throwing wrist.
Fractured my hand in 4 places on this play 😂 https://t.co/fduwojV0RA
— Jarrett Guarantano✞ (@JayGuarantano) October 3, 2024
Tennessee’s 2020 season was a sour note for the end of Guarantano’s career as another muddy season unfolded. Guarantano began the season as the starter but eventually saw his role lost due to injury.
Guarantano ended up finishing his collegiate career at Washington State during the 2021 season but only appeared in two games due to a knee injury that was suffered early on.
The former Vol played with the Arizona Cardinals preseason squad in 2022 and spent some time with the Denver Broncos in 2023 before moving to the USFL as it was transitioning to the XFL.
