Key Vols opponents also uncertain about quarterback

John Adams
Knoxville
Quarterback Quinten Dormady (12) during the Orange & White Game on April 22, 2017.

Any college football team is usually antsy about breaking in a new quarterback, especially when it enters preseason camp not knowing who that quarterback will be.

Tennessee fans can relate to that. Joshua Dobbs, last season’s starting quarterback, is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s up to either junior Quinten Dormady or redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano to replace him.

But UT fans have a couple of reasons to feel better about the quarterback uncertainty. Dormady and Guarantano lack experience, not talent. And several of Tennessee's key opponents also will report to preseason camp uncertain about the game’s most important position.

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The uncertainty will start with Georgia Tech, UT’s opening opponent.

Last season, coach Paul Johnson could rely on veteran Justin Thomas to run his option offense. Now, junior Matthew Jordan is the only Yellow Jacket with quarterback experience, which includes one start.

However, Jordan lost ground when he suffered a foot injury in spring practice. That created an opportunity for junior TaQuon Marshall, a converted running back. Georgia Tech’s other quarterback candidates have no college playing experience.

So despite starting a new quarterback, Tennessee probably will have a quarterback advantage in the season opener.

Two weeks later, UT will open its SEC season at Florida, where the Gators have been coming up short at quarterback ever since Tim Tebow departed. They're still unsure who’s next in line.

Redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks had the upper hand at the position following spring practice. However, Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire could win the job in preseason camp. Either way, the Gators will have a new starter lacking in experience.

Georgia, Tennessee’s next conference opponent, has sophomore Jacob Eason returning as its starting quarterback. The most acclaimed signee of Georgia’s 2016 recruiting class was good enough to start as a freshman. But the Bulldogs still have questions at the position.

Eason mixed great throws with inexplicable passes last season. Moreover, his lack of mobility was exacerbated by an offensive line that struggled too often.

This offensive line also raises questions. And Eason now has competition with five-star recruit Jake Fromm, who drew praise from coach Kirby Smart in the spring.

Kentucky’s Stephen Johnson is another returning quarterback starter on UT’s schedule. He took the job last season after previous starter Drew Barker was injured.

If Barker is healthy, he’s a better passer than Johnson. And although Johnson gives Kentucky a running threat at the position, a healthy Barker might be a better option if Johnson doesn’t improve his passing accuracy.

LSU, which will play at Neyland Stadium on Nov. 18, seemingly knows who its starting quarterback will be. Danny Etling returns for his second year as a starter. Given his limitations, that’s not necessarily encouraging for an offense that lacks the passing game to complement star running back Derrius Guice.

Sometimes, knowing who your quarterback is can make fans more antsy than the uncertainty of a new starter.

Reach John Adams at john.adams@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6284 and on Twitter @johnadamskns.

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