Fall practice kicked off last week for the Tennessee Volunteers and the biggest question that remains in Knoxville is who will be under center this season.

On Thursday, first-year Tennessee offensive coordinator Tyson Helton sat down with the media to discuss what he’s looking for in his new signal caller.

“I think it’s a guy who will manage the offense, that’s the number one thing,” Helton said. “I think there’s a lot of players in college football today that don’t know who the eligible receivers are and who is on or off the ball. All they know is that ‘hey, I’m looking over here and I’m throwing it.’ You have to understand the game.”

Managing the offense to Helton has more to do than just understanding what’s going on during the game. He also wants someone who can consistently move the ball down the field.

“At some point in time, you have to make a big play, and we don’t care how you do it,” he said. “I’ve had quarterbacks who have thrown ducks out there but for some reason the guys caught it and they made plays with it. They just had a factor where when they were in the game, good things happened.”

The two quarterbacks who seem to have the best chance at winning the job are graduate transfer Keller Chryst and redshirt sophomore Jarrett Guarantano, but don’t tell Helton that.

“A lot of people want to talk about one or two guys, but it’s a four-man competition, and we will let the best man win.”

During Helton’s time as a passing game coordinator at USC, he was able to get a first-hand look at Chryst, who was at Stanford at the time.

“I had a chance to play against (Chryst) several times and see the style of offense he runs so I have a feel of that. He’s come this summer and I’ve seen him work and I’m looking forward to seeing those guys compete this fall.”

Helton had a lot more to say on Thursday about Guarantano, however.

“I see a guy who has a live arm, a guy who is very athletic, a guy who really wants to be the starting quarterback at the University of Tennessee. I think he’s grown as a player from the time we’ve gotten here to today.”

The next few weeks will be very important in deciding who will be under center for the Vols in 2019, but Helton has been clear in what he’s focusing his guys on moving the football, taking care of the ball and managing the offense.

Here’s the full interview with Helton: