KNOXVILLE, TN – August 12, 2021 – Quarterback Harrison Bailey #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers during 2021 Fall Camp practice in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics
Former Tennessee quarterback Harrison Bailey announced on Friday afternoon that he plans to re-enter the transfer portal after two seasons at Louisville.
“I plan to enter the transfer portal to use my final year of eligibility,” Bailey posted to X. “I want to thank the University of Louisville, my coaches, teammates, the city and everyone at the university for all the support and memories. I am very grateful for my time in Louisville. #GodBless”
Bailey is looking to catapult recent success in the Sun Bowl for a new gig in his final year of college football. The Georgia native led Louisville to a 35-34 win over Washington in the Sun Bowl on Tuesday afternoon and was named MVP after the win.
Bailey, making his first start since the 2020 season at Tennessee, completed 16 of 25 passes for 164 yards and three touchdowns in the Cardinals’ win over the Huskies. Bailey threw touchdowns of nine yards, 28 yards, and 21 yards in the win from El Paso, TX.
The 6-foot-5 quarterback signed with Jeremy Pruitt’s Tennessee recruiting class as a four-star prospect from Marietta High School in the class of 2020. The true freshman mostly found playing time off the bench during his first year on Rocky Top but did wind up starting the final three games of the season for the Vols, completing 48-of-68 passes for 578 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions in his first season.
Bailey returned to Knoxville for the 2021 season as Tennessee was welcoming in head coach Josh Heupel and a brand-new coaching staff. Bailey lost the quarterback battle involving transfers Joe Milton III and Hendon Hooker, and wound up announcing plans to transfer in the middle of his sophomore season.
After a quick stop at UNLV in 2022 that saw Bailey throw for 318 yards as a backup, the former Vol transferred to Louisville as a walk-on quarterback in 2023. Prior to his three-touchdown performance in the Sun Bowl, Bailey had only attempted 13 passes in a Cardinals’ uniform. Bailey went 6-for-6 for 35 yards in the Cardinals’ season opener in August and then went 2-for-2 for 28 yards against Jacksonville State in September.
Bailey’s announcement on Friday comes in the midst of a fairly eventful day for Tennessee quarterbacks of old. Former Vol QB Tayven Jackson announced that he will be transferring to UCF while rumors are floating that former Tennessee starter Joe Milton III could potentially be the starter for the New England Patriots’ regular-season finale this Sunday against Buffalo.
