MIKE STRANGE

Strange: Tennessee Vols QB competition isn't only one that matters

Mike Strange

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Tennessee running back Carlin Fils-aime (27) is tackled by defensive lineman Brandon Benedict (88) and linebacker Daniel Bituli (35) during the Orange & White Game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, April 22, 2017.

“It don’t matter who the quarterback is.’’

So said Tennessee defensive tackle Quay Picou on Saturday.

Anybody buying that?

Everyone wants to know who will be Tennessee’s quarterback when the 2017 season kicks off in September. Even John Currie, the new athletic director who was everywhere Saturday, mingling with fans lined up before dawn at Neyland Stadium for autographs, listening from the back of the room during Butch Jones’ media offerings.

The so-called Orange and White Game on Saturday was one public window into the post-Joshua Dobbs quarterback race and an abbreviated one at that. There was a little scrimmaging, a few rounds of Circle of Life, a quarterback skills test, spring awards announced and then everybody cleared out ahead of a storm.

Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano made the most of their hour — the event lasted literally an hour. Dormady made more, a perfect 10-for-10 passing, two touchdown passes and a Jones-proclaimed win in the QB skills test.

To ramp up the drama Jones should have announced the first quarterback to hit the garbage can with a pass gets the start against Indiana State. (Georgia Tech should be determined on broader merit.) Dormady, for the record, hit both the garbage can and a life-sized plywood cutout of a leaping Jauan Jennings to replicate the Georgia Hail Mary.

Nothing was settled Saturday, though. The quarterback competition, however, will extend into August if not beyond. And, yes, it matters who wins.

Both Dormady and Guarantano acknowledge that allowing the competition to become a distraction benefits no one.

“I don’t think putting pressure on myself is going to help in any way,’’ Dormady said.

It shouldn’t become a distraction for the rest of the team, either. It’s important that a locker room doesn’t become divided.

“We all are team,’’ Picou said. “Honestly, no matter who the quarterback is, as long as we get the win we’re good.’’

My hunch is both Dormady and Guarantano are capable of getting wins. That's what their teammates are interested in more than anything.

"I wouldn’t change the guys we’ve got for the world,'' Picou said. "As long as each guy is competing and making each other better, because you never know what can happen and who you might need in what situation.''

This team is going to need a lot of guys in a lot of situations, and not just quarterbacks. Good thing this was the fourth Saturday in April and not the third Saturday in October. Many of the known commodities were on the sideline nursing injuries or rehabbing surgeries. Such is the nature of spring games.

There are only two scholarship tailbacks on the roster for now and Carlin Fils-aime was the only one taking handoffs Saturday.

REXRODE: Here's the answer to the Vols' QB competition

The first-team offensive line that trotted out had Drew Richmond and Marcus Tatum at tackles, Jashon Robertson at center and freshmen Trey Smith and Ryan Johnson at guard. Fully stocked, it could look considerably different in September.

The real Jauan Jennings, not the plywood cutout, caught a few passes. The most visible linebacker was Daniel Bituli, who would like to win a starting job but hasn't yet. The defensive line rotation didn't take long to delve into the walk-on ranks.

The truth is there are competitions yet undecided at a bunch of positions. Receiver, check. Defensive line, check. Secondary, check. Linebacker, check.

So while we're all obsessed with the quarterbacks, that might turn out to be the least worrisome competition of all.

Mike Strange may be reached at mike.strange@knoxnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at Strangemike44.

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