The Times Free Press is taking a daily positional look at the 2017 University of Tennessee football team leading up to the first practice Saturday. Today we look at quarterbacks:
WHO'S BACK
Tennessee is entering a football season without an experienced quarterback for the first time since 2013, when Justin Worley, a junior with two years of backup experience, edged out three freshmen vying to replace Tyler Bray at the position entering the season.
Similarly, Quinten Dormady enters this season as a junior with two years as a backup and is the only quarterback on Tennessee's roster with game experience. But his competition is strong.
Redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano is gunning for the position with the ability to throw and run, setting up a showdown that is expected to last through most of August's preseason practices and possibly into the Volunteers' 2017 campaign as both adjust to life under new offensive coordinator Larry Scott and new quarterbacks coach Mike Canales.
Dormady is frequently labeled as a pocket passer with less mobility, while Guarantano's dual-threat billing conjures flashbacks to the departed Joshua Dobbs running with the football during the past several seasons. But Guarantano is believed to be a more naturally accurate passer than Dobbs, and Dormady contests the notion that he is an immobile quarterback.
NEW FACES
Freshman Will McBride is a likely redshirt candidate and the presumed third-string quarterback after Sheriron Jones transferred out of the program in the spring. McBride enrolled in January and went through spring practice. If Guarantano or Dormady suffered an injury or decided to transfer, McBride would be one snap away from game action. The former three-star prospect was committed to Memphis until December, when he flipped to the Vols.
STRENGTHS
The element of surprise could work in Tennessee's favor. Opposing teams will have little video to review on either quarterback, and with Scott now calling plays for the first time in his career, the Vols could be difficult for opposing teams to plan for this season. Both quarterbacks are believed to be better natural passers than Dobbs was. The coaches have praised their leadership abilities throughout the spring and summer while also pointing out their differences in personality and playing style.
"It's being able to take their strengths and playing to it and being able to fit what we want them to do in our system," Canales said Friday. "It's nice that we have guys that are different. We don't want a cardboard-box type personality or skill set. It's nice to have guys that have multiple skill sets in the room."
WEAKNESSES
Talent is not a concern, but whoever wins the starting job will need to feel comfortable leading the offense in a high-stakes season opener against Georgia Tech in Atlanta's new Mercedes-Benz Dome. Will Dormady have the savvy to escape the pocket and extend plays as a revamped offensive line acclimates to game action? If Guarantano plays in key situations early in the season, will he be able to rein in the adrenaline and orchestrate Scott's offense during his career debut?