Butch Jones picked three players to bring to Tennessee’s spring football news conference Friday. Read into it what you will.
There were a three-year starter and a two-year starter, both obvious spokesmen for their respective units.
The third choice was a three-game starter.
Justin Worley hopes to be Tennessee’s full-time quarterback. But for now, that’s just a hope.
“I don’t think there’s a whole lot to read into it,’’ Worley said of his selection to meet the media.
Every detail, no matter how trivial, of Jones’ first spring practice at UT will be read into. And the race to replace Tyler Bray is hardly trivial.
Worley, a junior in the fall, is the only quarterback on the roster who’s taken a snap. The majority of them were hazardous duty, starting as a freshman against South Carolina and Arkansas in 2011.
His spring competition comes from redshirt freshman Nathan Peterman. When fall camp opens, signees Joshua Dobbs and Riley Ferguson and Knoxville walk-on Charlie High enter the mix.
But back to Friday. Jones didn’t have to offer Worley to the media on the eve of spring practice. There were other options.
Worley’s appearance doesn’t suggest he’s going to be the starter against Austin Peay on Aug. 31. What it does suggest is that Worley has handled himself well in the daily competition to develop leadership that Jones instituted after he was hired Dec. 7.
That’s a start. There isn’t much else to go on. In winter conditioning or skill drills, NCAA rules prohibit players from even touching a football.
“Just to have a football in our hands,’’ said offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, “and see these guys throw for really the first time, I can’t tell you how excited I am.’’
So far, the only throwing Bajakian has watched is videotape of Worley’s nine appearances over two years at UT. That and high school video of Peterman, whom he tried to recruit to Cincinnati.
The incoming signees can’t be totally discounted. In 2004, UT coach Phillip Fulmer elected to go with a pair of true freshmen, Brent Schaeffer and Erik Ainge, on opening day rather than lackluster holdover, C.J. Leak.
Still, Jones termed it “extremely hard” Friday for true freshmen to “make a difference” at quarterback.
It’s also incumbent on Worley and Peterman to use their spring head start to prove they’re more than lackluster holdovers.
Toward that end, adapting to Jones’ scheme is essential. Both Worley and Bajakian downplayed Worley’s thin resume as a runner.
“I don’t think I’m a terrible runner,’’ Worley said. “I’m not gonna tell you I’m a dual-threat guy, either.’’
“The reality of the position,’’ said Bajakian, “is first and foremost, they need to be able to throw the football. What we put on their plate in the passing game is the most important thing.
“Their ability with the ball in their hands, that’s secondary.’’
Their ability to manage the game when the live bullets are flying, that’s primary to the head coach. Jones isn’t a big fan of passing drills, comparing them to a golfer at the driving range. No rush. No pressure.
Promised Jones, “We will do an inordinate amount of team repetitions this spring.’’
Spring is merely the beginning of a long process. There’s much to learn about the candidates.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 30
emailnodata (Inactive) writes:
Gut feeling is Peterman wins out.
rb4346 writes:
Do you think that Dobbs will be able to win the quarterback job in the fall or do you think he will need another year.
emailnodata (Inactive) writes:
I don't see any of the incoming guys winning the fall.
Doesn't mean one won't emerge by mid-Oct.
It's a tricky situation with no proven WR's or RB's; so, just being a good game manager won't be enough, the QB is going to have to make some plays.
All indications to me is Peterman is the better player for that.
Geofffourmyle writes:
Tyler Bray is not a hard act to follow. He never bought into being a part of the Vol family.
Walt
UT '81
DRORANGELOVE writes:
Let us not forget that Mr Whorley was National HS Player of The Year his Sr yr in HS and that he has sat quietly by, been a team player,and done an above avg job when he has had the chance to play. Personally I think he is a much better TEAM PLAYER than Bray was AND a better team leader. Time will tell GBO
flatrock writes:
IMHO, the worst decision CDD ever made was pulling the redshirt from J. Worley and throwing the Gatorade National Player-of-the-Year to the wolves vs. SC, AL and AR (thank you, M. Sims, whose negativity was matched only by T. Bray). He had no OL and no weapons to depend on. Worley is much bigger and stronger-- and he has the one thing Butch will cherish the most--SMARTS. The Vols are blessed at QB and Worley will win his 3rd O&W Game and will give the Vols a puncher's chance this fall vs. a brutal schedule. Go Vols!
LiveFaith writes:
Why all the Bray hate? In all seriousness.
The guy absolutely lit it up last year. With Bray and the other weapons our offense was absolutely feared. It was the best UT offense I've seen since 01' or 97', and maybe even better. We can argue all the attitudes and so called choke plays.
But the reality is that Bray & Co. was hanging 30+ on excellent defensive teams and still getting beat. Numbers do not lie, and TB put up huge ones.
The defense was the worst in TN history! Nobody saw that coming. I mean nobody. But, I don't see all the vitriol towards Bray (and even Hunter). Those guys were beasts. Not perfect, but excellent IMO.
Just imagine ANY Chavis defense in place of Sal Sunseri's dumpster fire. The season would have been completely different and we would be talking about being "back". Obviously, didn't happen. But it was not the fault of our offense. Just look at the stats.
Oh btw, I hope Worley does great. I really like that kid.
hateNCloveTN writes:
great post. i still dont like TB. Cockey little (skinny) AH. I still think i could beat him in a beer bottle throwing contest (due to years of practice in a competitive atmosphere). Just hope this season is the big turn around for us, but i have been saying that since 02. GOVOLS
SouthPaVol writes:
Having watched game film from all five QBs, I would take all five. We are blessed at QB and our cup runs over. Unfortunately, one will start, two will have hope, and one or two will leave. But still guys...five QBs! When has the Vols ever been so lucky.
One might consider a walk-on to have the least likely chance of starting, but I am not in that crowd. Charlie High is an impressive young QB by any standard. He has a quick, accurate release, plus reads into the second and third receiver; the numbers don't lie--a career with over 10,000 yds passing and a 72% completion rate.
My left-handed comment: we have five legit QB candidates and what is building up as one of the best QB battles I've seen or heard of in my 50+ years. Let the "cream" rise to the top. Go Vols!
Hound_Dog69 writes:
Great post! If we would have had an average SEC defense CDD would not have been fired and UT would have won enough games, SEC and non-conference, to go to a decent bowl game, but when your defense gives up 30 to 40 points a game against almost every SEC team your not going to win very many of those games. Miss State, South carolina,mizzo and even Florida were games UT should have won if not for an inept defense!GBO!!!!!!!!!!
iowavol writes:
I don't know much, but I'm thinking Worley will surprise a few folks. Agree with earlier posts that throwing him the mix as freshman against good defenses with no support was tough. I'm betting that experience has made him stronger. The comparison to CJ Leak is ridiculous.
123forVOLS writes:
OKAY, DEEP DEEP BREATH Vols fans. Tyler Bray is gone as are two oustanding receivers and the former coaches. Let's let them go. Now to task at hand, I am no prognosticator but it appears the Vols might just need the experience Worley has early on at least. We can make many projections but only practice and live time together will tell the story. It is a luxury to have 5 qbs in the stable. But let us not forget, there are other questionable issues in other areas. I was pleased Friday, while riding down from Knoxville to hear of the depth and really good players the Vols have. I know, the defense was horrendous last year. That's gone. What I had let pass my thinking were all the really good receivers we picked up in the 2012 class. Granted, their playing time is limited but they have talent. Now final question, can this staff coach? I hope so and believe it is possible. GO VOLS!
johnlg00 writes:
Personally, I don't have a dog in this fight. I just want the best starter to emerge from a fair competition. I see no problem with Worley getting the best early shot at getting the job. A new coach always has to see what he's got before he can know for sure what and who he has to change. If Worley is the competitor his background says he is, he will be in it to win it. Whoever wins the job will have to have LOTS of help from the coaches and the rest of the team to be successful. Let the race begin!
allvol8 writes:
Good post...we could see 1or2 of the QBs could have a position change instead of leaving.Hopefully they can redshirt both freshman...I know High is a good kid with talent...could he be a good TE?
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
His stats were off the charts, but I agree he seemed disconnected from the team..Not to compare him to Peyton, because PM was in a class all alone..I just could never imagine Tyler leading the band after a win and fully taking on the responsibility as UT's qb..
volfan2002 writes:
I don't care who wins the jobs as long as we have 22 guys starting on offense and defense performing at a high level.
usafvol writes:
You are 100% correct sir. With a decent defense last year, could have easily won 8 or 9 games.
emailnodata (Inactive) writes:
The bray-hating is as stupid as the clausen-hating.
Casey had us in position for another NC shot.
To this day, I will say that if the UT safety (Julian Battle) does not drop the pick-6 vs LSU, then UT is the SEC champ with a more than decent shot of beating Miami.
Bray did his job last season. So did the rest of the offense.
When it comes down to it, "doing your job" matters.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Well, no matter how maligned last years staff was they did field a quality offensive unit. I don't have the stats in front of me, but they moved the ball at will against UGA, USCe, and other top rated defenses. So I think it's fair to say Worley was the #2 QB for a reason, and that was in case Bray went down with an injury they believed Worley could handle the job. I do think CBJ realizes his potential and will see what he can do before handing the reins to his other QB's. Tony Pike was a Brian Kelly recruit that learned to play under his system even though he was a pocket passer. We'll see, I'm pulling for Worley to get his chance, but I really feel Peterman is tailor-made for this offense.
emailnodata (Inactive) writes:
Did you notice last season how the SEC defenses seemed "down" compared to most years??
I thought this really showed up in the bowl games, where by and large SEC offenses carried the day.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
That's true, but I remember several years top ten defenses like Florida, UGA, LSU and UT had trouble slowing down Big 10 offenses. Iowa, Michigan, MSU and OSU, it represents not playing against those style teams more so than not defending them. I will say that Bama got railed for having a porous defense; They looked really solid against UT and ND.
tovolny writes:
LACKLUSTER...???...somehow and for some reason this is just the wrong word. Maybe "less known" or "less proven" would be a little less sharper cut. I can't believe I am defending Leak, but after all he was a VOL. His brother, Chris undercut the Vols by going to Florida after being allowed to do a lot of training at the UT Campus. Fulmer mishandled the Leak family, causing the riff, but Chris was a pretty good QB. David, in my opinion, was not given a fair chance. But, the Leak guys were touchy. I believe David transferred from Wake Forest. I don't agree with the "lackluster" adjective to describe someone that might have been true of heart, but short on experience. But what do I know (?)...I work for Mickey Mouse.
johnlg00 writes:
No doubt, UT's offense was explosive last year. It was also somewhat erratic, and just a bit too pass-happy to make up for the lousy defense. I don't expect to see as many 50-yard bombs next year, but we may see a few more 14-play drives. If the offense can control the ball a little more and the defense gives up (quite) a few less 50+-yard scoring plays, the Vols might be in a few more big games longer this coming season.
volpreacher writes:
An early thought. Wouldn't be surprised if Worley starts the year and by third game we are using two qbs. Just a thought. A lot of teams are doing it now.
allvol8 writes:
Will be a fun competion to watch! GBO!
johnlg00 writes:
Mmmm, not sure how many GOOD teams use two QBs. Name me a few and I might reconsider. Using more than one QB was much more common in the 1950s or so than it has been more recently as the game has become more specialized.
volpreacher writes:
Urban Meyer did and won a national championship. Spurrier has done it too. I'm not advocating it but could happen. I think Butch did it some at Cincy.
johnlg00 writes:
You're right, those are some good examples; silly of me to have forgotten. It has and can work, just not often enough to be a preferred strategy, IMHO.
volhitman writes:
A 5'10" tight end? Less than 200lbs? Can't see it happening.
johnlg00 writes:
I'm afraid High will be more likely to transfer than to play QB at UT, but I'm glad they are giving him a shot. Maybe he will surprise us. I don't think he can play any other position for lack of size and speed. His arm is not exceptionally strong, but he definitely IS exceptionally accurate. He could be another Danny Wuerffel if he develops and they use him right.
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