Tennessee quarterback Sheriron Jones (13) participates in college football spring practice at Anderson Training Facility in Knoxville, Tenn., Tuesday, April 18, 2017. (Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
KNOXVILLE - Tennessee's quarterback competition lost a contestant Tuesday.
Redshirt sophomore Sheriron Jones asked for and was granted his release from the university, an athletic department spokesperson confirmed.
Jones, a native of Perris, Calif. appeared to be stuck in third place coming out of spring practice in the race to replace Joshua Dobbs as the Tennessee quarterback in 2017.
If Jones transfers to continue his football career, it won't be the first time. The former four-star recruit transferred from Tennessee to Colorado in January 2016 but stayed at Colorado less than two weeks.
He returned to Knoxville under an NCAA rule that allows players to return to the school from which they transferred if the decision to do so is made within 14 days.
Though he threw just one pass in 2016, Jones became a fan favorite with his energetic sideline demeanor during the Battle at Bristol game between the Volunteers and Virginia Tech. Jones implored a struggling Tennessee offensive line on the sideline, and his antics made him a regular target of the television cameras. Tennessee turned its play around and won the game.
Quinten Dormady, a junior, and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano are jockeying for the starting quarterback position. Jones also played during Tennessee's weather-shortened spring game on April 22, going 1-for-4 with 2 passing yards.
Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com.