Tennessee Vols: Jeremy Pruitt needs to recruit a player already on the roster
The recent decision by Tennessee Vols head coach Jeremy Pruitt to hand the starting quarterback job to Brian Maurer, combined with the commitment of 2020 four-star quarterback Harrison Bailey, all but ensures that Jarrett Guarantano won't return to UT next season. As a graduate transfer, Guarantano will be eligible to play immediately next season. I […]
The recent decision by Tennessee Vols head coach Jeremy Pruitt to hand the starting quarterback job to Brian Maurer, combined with the commitment of 2020 four-star quarterback Harrison Bailey, all but ensures that Jarrett Guarantano won't return to UT next season.
As a graduate transfer, Guarantano will be eligible to play immediately next season. I can't imagine a scenario where he returns to Tennessee to compete for the starting job (a competition he likely won't win).
Plenty of folks won't be bothered by the departure of Guarantano, considering his poor play over the first four games of the 2019 season.
But losing Guarantano will absolutely hurt the Vols. Quarterback depth is important. It's rare that the third quarterback on a team doesn't see some action at some point during the season.
For now, the Vols' third quarterback next season will be JT Shrout, who will be a redshirt sophomore in 2020.
Of course, that's only if Shrout doesn't also decide to transfer.
If Maurer takes a stronghold on the job, and Bailey sticks with his commitment to Tennessee and signs with the Vols, it's entirely possible that Shrout decides to move on to a school where he will see more playing time (Shrout joining Tyson Helton, who recruited him to UT, at Western Kentucky is something I could see happening).
This is a scenario that would be terrible for Tennessee. The quarterback depth would be incredibly thin and inexperienced if Shrout were to leave (walk-on transfer Kasim Hill will be eligible next season after sitting out this year, but Shrout likely represents an upgrade over Hill, who has battled injuries during his college career).
That's why Pruitt needs to start laying the groundwork now to make sure the Vols keep Shrout beyond this season.
In fact, it might be wise for Pruitt to bump Shrout up the depth chart — especially if the Vols get to a point where a bowl game is out of reach (assuming Pruitt feels his job is safe).
While a bowl game is still possible this season, I think it's obvious that Tennessee is playing for the future. That's why we're seeing so many young players on the field this season.
Keeping Shrout on the roster is basically an insurance policy for the Vols. Pruitt and his staff need to make sure they do everything they can to keep the California native and his big arm in Knoxville.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
