Jeremy Pruitt will see UT Vols' quarterback problems firsthand
John Adams
Jeremy Pruitt’s experience as a defensive coordinator will serve him well in his first season as a head coach. Tennessee’s defense will be challenged repeatedly.
And the challenges will begin at quarterback. In what should be UT’s five toughest games, the opponents will have a decided advantage at quarterback.
More:Pruitt says he's 'excited to finally be in Knoxville'
Pruitt got a firsthand look at two of those quarterbacks while his Alabama team was beating Georgia for the national championship on Monday. The game will be remembered for a dramatic finish and the play of two freshman quarterbacks – Jake Fromm, who started all but the season opener for the Bulldogs, and Tua Tagovailoa, who came off the bench to lead Alabama’s second-half charge.
"We’ll have our hands full with those quarterbacks," Pruitt said at Wednesday's press conference. He added Alabama's Jalen Hurts, who is 25-2 as a starter and already has beaten Tennessee twice.
Based on their play in the national championship game, Fromm and Tagovailoa are currently the hottest quarterback names on Tennessee's next schedule. But don't forget about West Virginia's Will Grier, Auburn's Jarrett Stidham and South Carolina's Jake Bentley.
Grier already has beaten the Vols once, when he was Florida’s quarterback in 2015, and Bentley has beaten them twice.
More:Pruitt details staff hires, including Tyson Helton, Kevin Sherrer
Tennessee probably will be an underdog against Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, West Virginia and South Carolina. However, even in games where it could be favored, opposing quarterbacks will pose a problem.
The Vols couldn’t have been celebrating Drew Lock’s decision to return for his senior season. Missouri’s first-team All-SEC quarterback has shredded the Vols' pass defense the past two seasons. Most of his receivers and blockers will return, too.
Tennessee’s defense has appeared just as helpless against Kyle Shurmur, who led Vanderbilt to 87 points in the past two games combined. That total is even more when you consider that the Commodores managed only 60 points against Tennessee in 10 games from 1994 through 2003.
While so many of Tennessee's opponents are set at quarterback, the Vols still don't know who their starting quarterback will be.
Pruitt was asked Wednesday whether he would be open to taking a graduate transfer at quarterback if one were available. He made it clear he wanted to know his own personnel first.
Quinten Dormady won the quarterback job in preseason camp, lost it midway through the season to Jarrett Guarantano and then underwent shoulder surgery. When Guarantano missed a game with injury, freshman Will McBride started in his place.
All three quarterbacks showed potential. But their shortcomings also were apparent, especially since they were playing behind an injury-plagued offensive line.
More:Pruitt hasn't closed door on Jauan Jennings return
In choosing a quarterback, Pruitt probably will be influenced by his time as a defensive coordinator at Alabama. Before he seeks play-making skills, he's apt to favor a quarterback who won't make mistakes.
Guarantano was more reliable in that regard last season. He threw only two interceptions in 139 attempts. Dormady threw six interceptions in 137 attempts, and McBride threw two in 40 attempts.
Something else about Guarantano: Despite being sacked repeatedly and absorbing numerous hits, he held onto the football. Pruitt will notice that when he starts reviewing videotape.
He also will notice he doesn't have a quarterback like Alabama's or Georgia's.
Reach John Adams at john.adams@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6284 and on Twitter @johnadamskns.