KNOXVILLE – The quarterbacks meeting room at Tennessee now will be a little less crowded.
Freshman Sheriron Jones told the Volunteers’ coaches Thursday that he had decided to transfer, and his high school coach told multiple media outlets the quarterback likely would enroll at Colorado this morning.
The California native redshirted and handled a role on Tennessee’s scout team this season as the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Josh Dobbs and freshman backup Quinten Dormady. Both quarterbacks ahead of Jones are set to return, and the Vols expect to sign blue-chip quarterback Jarrett Guarantano next month.
“Really, he just wanted to get back out West and play in the Pac-12,” Pete Duffy, Jones’ former coach, told the Knoxville News Sentinel on Thursday.
“He knew what the situation was with Dobbs, so that didn’t affect anything. He just wanted to be closer. Everything was good. He had a good time there. He had a good time. He had good support there. He just wanted to go in another direction.”
Jones did not respond to a text message seeking comment from the Times Free Press.
“Thank you #VolNation,” Jones posted on his Twitter page Thursday afternoon.
The 6-foot-2, 208-pounder out of Rancho Verde High School was a four-star recruit who signed with the Vols after originally committing to Florida.
Jones was well-liked by his teammates, and Vols players and coaches noted the progress he made during bowl practices last month.
“I saw a lot of improvement from Sheriron,” wide receiver Josh Smith said after an Outback Bowl practice in Tampa, Fla. “Quinten’s beyond good. It’s crazy. Sheriron took a big step, and I feel like he did a good job. I’m excited for the future. I’m just excited for those guys.”
His running ability and fit in Tennessee’s offense made Jones an intriguing player to watch this offseason.
“He’s had some really good sessions, so he’s doing well,” offensive coordinator Mike DeBord said after one December practice in Knoxville.”
Jones was one of three quarterbacks Tennessee added in its 2015 recruiting class, but his departure and Jauan Jennings’ offseason move to receiver leave only Dormady, who appeared in six games this season, at the position.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com