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Jarrett Guarantano enters NCAA transfer portal

Photo Credit: Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee redshirt senior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano has entered the NCAA transfer portal shortly after the Vols’ 34-13 loss to No. 5 Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon.

“With a heavy heart, I would like to announce I am exploring the option of entering the NFL Draft or playing my final college season elsewhere,” Guarantano wrote in a message he pinned to Twitter.

Guarantano did not play against the Aggies on senior day. He has not played since Tennessee’s loss to Auburn on Nov. 21 when he threw a pick-six late in the game. True freshman Harrison Bailey started the Vols’ final three games against Florida, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M.

“Dear University of Tennessee,” Guarantano wrote. “Thank you for allowing a kid from Lodi, N.J. to live out his dream of playing SEC football. This prestigious university has allowed me to grow academically, as a football player, and as a man. These past few years have taught me many lessons, and I am truly thankful for them. It’s a blessing to be a Tennessee Volunteer.

“To the previous staff and current staff, thank you for the countless hours we have spent together. Thank you to the medical staff, strength staff and nutrition staff for helping me reach my goals. Thank you to Coach Pruitt, Coach Weinke, Coach Artis, Coach Chaney and Coach Butch for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to lead the program.

“To my professors and support staff at the Thornton Center, thank you for pushing me to become the best student possible.

“To my brother, I love you guys. There is not a group of people that I would rather have spent my time with on and off the field. Every single memory will be held dear to me. Thank you for being by my side through the highs and lows.”

Guarantano played in 41 games with 32 starts over his five year career on Rocky Top. He threw for 6,174 yards, 38 touchdowns and completed 61.1% of his passes. Guarantano had three career 300-yard games, 13 career multi-touchdown pass games and was one of just three Vols to throw for 400 yards in a game.

The Lodi, New Jersey native ranks seventh in Tennessee history in passing yards (6,174), sixth in passing touchdowns (38), seventh in completions (494) and seventh in total offense (6,122). He accounted for 43 career scores – 38 passing and five rushing.

Guarantano threw for six touchdowns, 1,112 yards and four interceptions in seven starts this season. He completed 62% of his passes. He was coming off of a junior season in which he completed 59% of his passes for 2,158 yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

The 6-foot-4 signal caller signed with the Vols in the class of 2016 recruiting class as a four-star prospect out of Bergen Catholic. Guarantano was ranked as the No. 79 overall player in the country by the 247Sports composite rankings. He was considered the top dual-threat quarterback and the second-best player in the state of New Jersey.

Guarantano redshirted during his true freshman season in 2016 while Josh Dobbs was wrapping up his senior career. He then lost the quarterback competition to Quentin Dormady during fall camp as a redshirt freshman to begin the 2017 season. Guarantano would be named midway through the season and he went on to throw for 997 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.

As a redshirt sophomore in 2018, his first season as Tennessee’s starting quarterback, Guarantano completed 62% of his passes for 1,907 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Tennessee’s loss to Texas A&M signaled the end of the 2020 regular season for the Vols. It’s unclear whether or not they’ll play in a bowl game.

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One Response

  1. Let Pruitt go,we don’t need a cheater. That is why JG started all the time. Pruitt had all the likes for JG. JG was Pruitts boy.

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