This time last year, Jarrett Guarantano, Brian Maurer, J.T. Shrout and Harrison Bailey were the four scholarship members of Tennessee’s quarterback room, and now none of them are around for the Volunteers.
Graduate transfers Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton are the lone two scholarship quarterbacks currently for the Vols, with Hooker ranking sixth nationally in passing efficiency as Tennessee prepares to close out a 5-5 regular season with games against the visiting duo of South Alabama and Vanderbilt. Although Hooker is a fifth-year senior, he has the opportunity to return next season due to the extra year of eligibility allowed by the NCAA due to the coronavirus.
It’s certainly a burning question among Tennessee fans who are thankful that Hooker has helped coach Josh Heupel lay this first-year foundation, but it’s a decision that will have to wait.
“I think it’s important that he finishes this season the right way and that all of these kids make an educated decision outside of a public forum,” Heupel said Monday in a news conference. “We want our guys to have an opportunity at the next level. We want them to make the right decision at the right time for them, so you get the feedback from different people and present them the information to help them make an educated decision.”
Hooker said during the open date that followed the loss at Alabama and preceded the win at Kentucky that he had not thought about his decision and that he was still concentrating on the season.