Vols look to have found QB of future

FRISCO, Texas – With Jarrett Guarantano entering his junior season, Tennessee is beginning to anticipate life without the returning starter, who made noticeable strides during his career.

When it comes to the current recruiting cycle, coach Jeremy Pruitt and the Volunteers have identified a strong contender to eventually step into Guarantano’s shoes in Marietta, Georgia, fourstar quarterback Harrison Bailey.

“They’re a rising program with a lot of great coaches,” Bailey said of the Vols.

Bailey, who gave his verbal commitment to Tennessee in November over offers from nearly every Football Bowl Subdivision power, was one of 20 quarterbacks in attendance at the Elite 11 competition, the annual quarterback showcase that precedes The Opening.

“I wanted to come in, have fun, create relationships with people and have a good time with the guys,” Bailey said. “My focus was really just to have fun and compete.”

Bailey has been a fixture on the QB circuit since before his freshman year, when he first burst onto the scene as a national-level prospect.

When he gets to Knoxville, Bailey “will be as prepared as probably you can be,” said Barton Simmons, the national director of scouting for 247Sports.com.

Coaches tabbed with instructing and evaluating the Elite 11 class – including Jordan Palmer, a former NFL backup, and ex-Texas A&M starter Jerrod Johnson – singled out Bailey for his strong and accurate arm, off-field approach and consistent play during workouts and 7-on-7 drills.

Bailey finished as the secondranked quarterback, per the final Elite 11 standings.

“He’s a really tested, productive, accurate quarterback who is a little bit stationary but extremely talented,” said Simmons.