The Tennessee Vols haven't had a great quarterback situation since Josh Dobbs was on Rocky Top.

Since Dobbs' departure from UT after 2016, Tennessee's had six quarterbacks see significant snaps (Quinten Dormady, Jarrett Guarantano, Will McBride, Keller Chryst, Brian Maurer and JT Shrout).

Six quarterbacks (plus wide receiver Jauan Jennings in the wildcat formation) seeing significant snaps in three seasons isn't exactly a recipe for success.

That might be changing, though.

At least that's the message that what one elite 2021 recruit thinks.

Rivals recently included Tennessee as one of the five teams most likely to land a commitment from 2021 four-star wide receiver Dont'e Thornton, 6-foot-4/185 lbs from Baltimore, MD.

Thornton, who is rated in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 6 wide receiver in the nation, told Rivals that he's considering the Vols for two reasons: the opportunity to play early and a stable quarterback situation.

According to Rivals, Thornton "hears from various members of the coaching staff fairly often and sees that their quarterback situation will be stable for the next few years withHarrison Bailey coming in".

It certainly comes across as though UT's coaching staff is promoting Bailey as the answer at quarterback for the next several years. And that makes sense — Bailey is one of the best quarterbacks in Georgia high school history. If he isn't the answer, then Tennessee has some big problems.

But how soon will be "the guy" for the Vols?

If Tennessee has already identified Bailey as someone who will lead the offense for the next several years, then I think it's reasonable to suggest that Jeremy Pruitt and his staff want to give him a legitimate chance to start as early as possible.

Now, that doesn't mean I think Bailey will be under center when the Vols kick off the 2020 season against Charlotte.

But I think it does mean that Tennessee's quarterback battle will be an actual battle and not a charade to conceal the Vols' personnel plans. I think Bailey will be given every opportunity to unseat Guarantano this fall.

Missing spring practice, though, certainly makes it unlikely that Bailey beats out Guarantano for the job to start the season.

I wouldn't be shocked, however, if Bailey is the Vols' starter by the middle of the season.

Tennessee's staff obviously sees something special in Bailey. And it's clear they believe he's going to bring some long needed stability to the quarterback position in Knoxville.

Featured image via Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports/247Sports