Tennessee’s quarterback battle is ongoing, and it likely won’t be decided anytime soon. Both junior Quinten Dormady and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano have looked solid in the open portions of practice, and they’ve apparently looked just as good when the media isn’t able to see according to Butch Jones.
Jones was asked about the quarterback battle after practice on Tuesday. He didn’t give a leader in the clubhouse, but he stated both have impressed him.
“What I see is constant improvement every day,” Jones said about his two quarterbacks. “I see those individuals get better with repetitions. Everything is scripted out with their reps, and I see both of them just getting better and gaining confidence.”
Jones was then asked to elaborate on Quinten Dormady specifically and what he’s seen from the junior throughout fall camp. Jones stated that Dormady’s “consistency” has stood out the most, and he elaborated on what else has impressed him with the junior.
“He’s getting better, more comfortable, and more vocal,” Jones stated. “We challenged him in terms of the overall command of the offense. Same thing with Jarrett. How do we react, how do we command the line of scrimmage. Voice inflection, controlling the different looks and different audibles and getting us into the right plays too. Body language after you make a play, whether it’s good, bad, or indifferent. A snap and clear mentality.
“So much goes in to playing the quarterback position from the skill set to the mentality skill set as well.”
Neither Dormady or Guarantano has been given more first team reps over the other in the open portions of practice the media has seen. And during those open portions, both quarterbacks have displayed remarkably similar skill sets when it comes to the type of throws they can make and the type of athleticism they both have.
Consistency will be the biggest factor in deciding who will start at quarterback. Jones has shown that to be the case throughout his tenure as Tennessee’s head coach. Right now, Jones seems most impressed with Dormady’s consistency, but that doesn’t mean Guarantano hasn’t been consistent as well.
Both quarterbacks are still mired in the battle for the starting job. But Butch Jones is liking what he sees from both.
