Former Tennessee quarterback Harrison Bailey announced Tuesday afternoon that he will be continuing his playing career at UNLV.
Bailey started the final three games for the 2020 Volunteers, but he began this past season third on the depth chart behind Joe Milton and Hendon Hooker. While Hooker quickly became the starter and racked up 31 touchdown passes and only three interceptions for a team that exceeded expectations by going 7-6 and reached the Music City Bowl, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Bailey played in just one game.
When Tennessee had its lone open date of the season between the loss at Alabama and the win at Kentucky, Bailey entered the NCAA transfer portal, which left the Vols with only Hooker and Milton as their scholarship quarterbacks.
"Let's ride!" Bailey posted Tuesday on Twitter, adding a UNLV hashtag.
Bailey arrived at Tennessee from Marietta, Georgia, as the No. 99 overall prospect in the 2020 signing class, according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings, and the No. 3 pro-style quarterback behind Clemson's DJ Uiagalelei and Ohio State's C.J. Stroud. He played in six games as a freshman, making starts against Florida, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M.
In those six contests, Bailey completed 48 of 68 passes (70.6%) for 578 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. His only appearance this past season transpired in the fourth quarter of the 56-0 demolishing of Tennessee Tech, which included a 2-yard touchdown run.
Bailey will have up to four seasons of eligibility at UNLV, which went 2-10 this past season and 2-6 in the Mountain West Conference.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.