Tennessee quarterbacks Quinten Dormady (12), Zac Jancek (14) and Sheriron Jones (13) look on during the Vols' first preseason practice at Haslam Field on Aug. 4, 2015.KNOXVILLE -- The competition for Tennessee's No. 2 quarterback job is over.
As expected, Quinten Dormady will be the backup to starter Josh Dobbs, head coach Butch Jones announced on Friday.
The freshman has been firmly in command of the spot dating back to spring practice, when he impressed after enrolling early, and he's been able to continue his growth and development in preseason training camp.
Fellow freshman Sheriron Jones will be the No. 3 quarterback.
"Both young quarterbacks have done a very, very good job, but Quinten Dormady is our No. 2 quarterback," Jones said. "He is the No. 2 quarterback. Sheriron's progressing, and he has to be ready. Sheriron is two snaps away from being in a game. You have to pick your spots in order to get him reps.
"Quinten has gained some very valuable repetitions. It's amazing with him to see the progress that he made in spring ball and the confidence that he gained and really be able to grow on that. He's playing at a high level right now, and he's playing with a lot of confidence right now."
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Dormady picked Tennessee over Alabama last summer and threw for 2,893 yards with 32 touchdowns as a senior at Boerne High School in Texas.
The former four-star recruit missed his junior season with a torn labrum and couldn't throw for the first few weeks of his Tennessee career in the winter, but it didn't slow him down much.
The Vols have started three different quarterbacks in each of the past two seasons due to injuries, so Jones, who didn't get to campus until late May, will need to be ready, too, in case the trend continues.
"He's definitely had a productive camp," Dobbs said of Dormady. "Out of both freshmen quarterbacks, there has been a willingness to learn. They both came in -- we know they came in at different times -- and wanted to understand the offense. They embraced the mindset, as we talk about, getting one percent better every day."
"The biggest thing is reps. He has more reps than Jonesy. They're both growing every day and getting better every day."
New No. 75
Fifth-year senior guard Marcus Jackson likely will be out for the season after tearing his biceps in Tennessee's fourth practice of the preseason, but there still may be a No. 75 in the Vols' offensive line in 2015.
Sophomore guard Jashon Robertson wants to switch from No. 73 to Jackson's number as a way to honor his close friend and teammate, and he's hopeful Nike can produce the commemorative jersey for him to wear.
Robertson also wants to honor Anthony Parker, the former Tennessee offensive lineman and graduate assistant with the program the past two years who's now the offensive line coach at Norfolk State.
"For me, (the number) represents a lot," Robertson said. "It represents two guys who have worn the number in our program that have definitely helped me and impacted me a lot.
"Marcus Jackson was my big brother when I got here and taught me a lot of the things I know (about) film, technique and everything. A.P., he worn the number a couple. years back. Two-time All-American, and that's somebody I look up.
"I just want to represent that number and its legacy and build on that legacy."
Welcome returns
More than a dozen players have missed at least one practice this week as the Vols play it safe with some minor injuries to a handful of players.
Jones said between eight and 10 of those players should return on Saturday.
"That will really, really aid and benefit us," he said.
The Vols will practice in the morning and reconvene for tomorrow night's open practice at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara (6) runs back a punt during Tennessee's opening spring football practice at Haslam Field on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 in Knoxville.Tennessee tidbits
> Sophomore kicker Aaron Medley had what Jones called "his best practice he's had of his career" in Tennessee's scrimmage on Thursday when he hit field goals of 56 and 58 yards.
Medley made just one of six attempts from beyond 40 yards as a freshman.
> Junior college transfer running back Alvin Kamara may be in his first year with the Vols, but Jones said he's already stepped up his leadership and "become the voice of the offense."
> Robertson (ankle sprain) is expected to return "in a couple days," Jones said.
> Jakob Johnson's position switch from linebacker to tight end will be permanent.
"He has done a really good job in terms of never playing the position before," Jones said of the sophomore. "What Jakob possesses is he has very good balance, he has very good leverage and he's very explosive. And he has the want-to. He wants to learn how to do it.
"The way I look at it, is when you make a positional change like that, he has no bad habits. You get a chance to build him from ground zero. You get a chance to mold him and build him up, and he's done a very good job with it. He's embraced it like we knew Jakob would. I see him getting better every day."
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.