Jeremy Pruitt details how Tennessee handled QB reps at practice during bye week
Good news for Tennessee fans wanting to see a change under center as the bye week on Rocky Top provided an opportunity for several young quarterbacks to get some looks in practice.
That’s the way Jeremy Pruitt tells it, anyway, as the Tennessee coach was asked multiple questions regarding the status of the team’s quarterback competition during his Monday morning press conference to open Arkansas Week.
How were the QB reps handled during the bye week?
“We repped three groups last week,” Pruitt answered without giving specifics on which signal-callers got those reps. “So we went back and didn’t have enough to do four but we did do three groups. We split the quarterbacks amongst those three groups and got them a lot of reps there.”
Pruitt was later asked if the bye week provided more practice reps for Brian Maurer, Harrison Bailey and JT Shrout.
“Well, yeah, we went back to fall camp,” the Tennessee coach continued. “So in fall camp, we usually work four groups all the time and everyone gets the same amount of reps – at every position. That’s why we believe that players develop, because we spend that much time working on four groups.
“We split the staff up. We watch every bit of tape. This past week, we kept some guys out of practice to help them heal up a little bit. A few guys. So we only worked three groups but we still went back to camp mode. We worked very little on future opponents. We worked more on ourselves and the fundamental parts.”
While none of that information suggests a quarterback change is coming for Tennessee, it at least sounds like the younger quarterbacks on the roster had an opportunity to catch up to Jarrett Guarantano last week in practice.
Who knows, if any of them carry over that momentum to this week’s practice, we may see another passer for the Vols this weekend with the team traveling to Arkansas.
Why does UT recruit QBs they don’t develop and apparently don’t like?
There is no answer for that. I’d say Weinke isn’t performing well. I’d also say we need an actual quarterback to start with. So basically, until gauntanamo bay is gone, we’re screwed. And that’s the bottom line..
Yeah, Weinke doesn’t have the best record of developing QB’s.
I think J.G. was mostly damaged by bad coaching and the constant carousel of coaches during his career. Sadly he just never developed any consistency outside of being inconsistent! He’s a fighter and has taken some hard knocks for us, but I do think it is time for TN to move on and focus on developing other talent. Appreciate the effort, and wish him the best!
I really felt confident that JG would be able to turn the corner this year. Really disappointed in the coaching staff by year 3 not having really any option at QB. Can’t blame JG for all the problems, not developing a QB falls square on the coaches and Head Coach Pruitt. I still think Arkansas is a winnable game, however I am very impressed with them and their fight.
Listening to a Nashville radio station this morning, that caters to the Vols, I noticed the 2020 narrative has already changed. Before the season, the Vols had to take a step forward under Pruitt. That meant not losing any games they shouldn’t and winning one of the big 3. Suddenly, I hear that Arkansas was a HUGE game for the vols. No it is not. Three straight blowout losses, one at the hands of Kentucky, means Pruitt has to beat Florida for this season to be judged in any kind of positive way. Texas A&M would be a nice win, but I still can’t get that 17-12 struggle over Vanderbilt, at HOME, out of my head. Arkansas is a tough, well coached, scrappy team, but the talent gap favors the Vols. They are off a bye and now would be the time to start any QB other than JG. I bet it does not happen. JG starts Saturday.
He said he’s coming back next year since the covid year doesn’t count towards eligibility. Vols looking to go 2 and 8 this year. Vandy will be a dogfight. No chance in the other games.
Yeah, all that’s nice, but…
Every question Pruitt fields about Guarantano is one that he doesn’t get asked about his failure. Why in three years haven’t you made use of a graduate transfer? Why haven’t you recruited over him? Why-in THREE YEARS haven’t you DEVELOPED anyone who can displace him?
Pruitt loves Guarantano because all of the fans’ ire, most of the press’ questions, and most of the ink all focuses on how Guarantano has performed. This leaves Pruitt free to explain how practice works (since the Universe is banned from witnessing one minute of practice) and why his practice reps indicate that he’ll do better on the field next week. (he won’t)
Pruitt is using Guarantano as a human shield for his own failure as a head coach. Jeremy Pruitt-The Guarantano of head coaches.
I’m going to be brutally honest with everyone on this board. I’m a lifelong fan of the Vols and i’m from Pittsburgh PA. If JG starts and plays in this game the Vols will lose. No bold prediction, this is just a fact and everyone better be ready for it.
Well, the game is a 1.5 spread, so it is not like you are predicting Alabama to lose to Vanderbilt.