John Adams: QB attrition elsewhere a plus for Tennessee
One advantage to Tennessee’s late spring practice: It gained ground on some of its competition without lacing up a single cleat.
By the time the Vols started practice Tuesday, a number of their opponents had suffered attrition at quarterback.
Experienced quarterbacks already have announced plans to transfer from SEC East rivals Georgia, South Carolina, Missouri and Vanderbilt. And Florida’s starting quarterback Luke Del Rio is sitting out spring practice after a second shoulder surgery.
Georgia’s Brice Ramsey, who is scheduled to graduate in May, plans to play elsewhere in 2017 as a graduate transfer. He never could win the starting job at Georgia but at least gave the Bulldogs an experienced backup.
His departure leaves Georgia with just one experienced quarterback, starter Jacob Eason. The only other scholarship quarterback on Georgia’s roster is freshman Jake Fromm, who has drawn praise from coach Kirby Smart this spring.
South Carolina’s quarterback depth also has taken a hit this spring. Brandon McIlwain announced earlier this month that he was transferring.
McIlwain was one of coach Will Muschamp’s top signees in 2016. He started three early-season games but once fellow freshman Jake Bentley came on strong in the second half of the season, McIlwain had virtually no chance of regaining his starting role.
South Carolina will begin next season with three scholarship quarterbacks on its roster. Quarterback Jay Urich is a member of the 2017 signing class, and Michael Scarnecchia returns after sitting out last season with a shoulder injury.
Missouri’s Marvin Zanders, who backed up Drew Lock last season, is transferring to Virginia. While the Tigers built their offense around the passing of Lock, they sometimes used Zanders in their Wildcat package because of his running ability.
Vanderbilt has lost backup quarterback Wade Freebeck, who will be able to play somewhere else in 2017 as a graduate transfer. Deuce Wallace, who redshirted this past season, likely will begin the season as the backup to returning starter Kyle Shurmur.
Del Rio’s absence has provided Florida’s younger quarterbacks with an opportunity. And all of them might have more talent than Del Rio.
Feleipe Franks has the strongest arm of the three candidates to beat out Del Rio. Kyle Trask is known for his passing accuracy. Early enrollee Kadarius Tony is a dual-threat quarterback, whom some schools recruited as an athlete, not a quarterback.
LSU, one of UT’s two SEC West opponents, has a shortage of experience at quarterback.
Quarterback Brandon Harris, who was benched last season after starting in 2015, has transferred. Danny Etling is a returning starter but probably couldn’t start for any other team in the West.
He will compete with 5-foot-11 Lindsey Scott, who was redshirted last season, and early enrollee Lowell Narcisse. Both Scott and Narcisse are more athletic than Etling.
Tennessee began spring practice with quarterbacks Jarrett Guarantano, Sheriron Jones and Quinten Dormady returning, but none has ever started.
As evidenced by the quarterback attrition elsewhere, UT will be challenged to keep all three.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him on Twitter: @johnadamsKNS
More from John Adams:
- John Adams: Holly Warlick could be coaching for her job next season
- John Adams: Lady Vols' road magic runs out at worst time
- John Adams: Georgia players could decide UT-Louisville matchup
- Tennessee, Louisville rely on pressure defense
- John Adams: Tennessee's best players too good for Flyers
- John Adams: This could be last tournament for DeShields, Russell
- John Adams: Improved Tennessee basketball team will face a tougher SEC
- John Adams: Bet Tennessee couldn't match my search committee
- John Adams: Lady Vols have proved they can't overlook a No. 12 seed