KNOXVILLE - The offense faced a third-and-6 on Quinten Dormady's second and final possession at quarterback in Tennessee's spring game Saturday when the junior escaped from the stereotype, at least for a moment.
Dormady took a shotgun snap, quickly stepped up to avoid a rushing defensive end, then sprinted to his right and delivered a strike to Tyler Byrd that kept an eventual touchdown drive alive.
The play offered a glimpse at the athletic ability of a passer sandwiched by mobile quarterbacks.
"I don't get much credit for being athletic," Dormady said afterward. "I don't know why, but I definitely think I've proven that I can move the ball however it needs to be moved."
Quinton Dormady (12) gives directions during warmups. The annual Spring Orange and White Football game was held at Neyland Stadium on April 22, 2017.
If Dormady is to win the battle to replace the swift-footed Josh Dobbs as Tennessee's quarterback, he'll have to fend off dual-threat prodigy Jarrett Guarantano.
The perception is that Guarantano, a redshirt freshman, can replicate the production Dobbs frequently supplied with his legs. But Dormady contests the implication that he is an immobile candidate to replace the NFL-bound Dobbs.
"I definitely think I'm more athletic than people think I am," Dormady said.
Dormady showed his passing accuracy by going 10-for-10 with two touchdown throws during the weather-shortened Orange and White Game, capping the spring practice session with an exclamation point.
The 15 on-field workouts helped Dormady show first-year quarterbacks coach Mike Canales that he can do more than just stand in the pocket and throw the football.
"They're a lot more athletic than I thought they were going to be," Canales said. "Quinten can move a little bit better than everyone thinks. And JG has a lot of things he can do as well."
Guarantano also played two series during the spring game and flashed his arm strength. Tennessee's coaching staff showed just a limited version of the Vols' 2017 offense, which limited Guarantano's ability to display his dual-threat pedigree.
He acknowledged those limitations when speaking to reporters but described the spring as "a great learning experience."
"Of course, you go day by day and realize that competition," Guarantano said. "You want to win the starting job. All those types of things come into your head, but each and every day is a new day and we just have to focus on being ourselves, our style of play, the offense and team."
Canales was asked if Tennessee has considered playing both quarterbacks in 2017, given their distinct styles.
He didn't rule it out.
"Following Josh is a huge thing to live up to," Dormady said. "But as far as it goes with me and Jarrett, I'm just trying to be consistent and do what I can. I know it's a competition, but like I've said all spring, I'm just trying to be consistent, do what I can, execute the offense to the best of my ability and things will work out."
Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com.