Butch Jones Hopes To Name Vols Starting Quarterback Soon; Worley Or Peterman Likely
By Zach Ragan
Jul 17, 2013; Hoover, AL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones talks with the media during the 2013 SEC football media days at the Hyatt Regency. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Just like with the release of Tennessee’s first depth chart, Butch Jones didn’t tip his hand on Wednesday when talking about the Vols’ quarterback situation at the team’s preseason press conference.
Early on in the press conference Jones dismissed any notion that the depth chart released on Tuesday would be anywhere close to final, saying:
"A depth chart in our program is irrelevant. All a depth chart means is who takes the first rep and then it’s up to everyone, I told them, you are responsible for creating your own identity”."
When asked directly about naming a starting quarterback Jones was surprisingly quick to admit that he hopes to have a starter named sooner rather than later.
"Yes, I would [like to name a starter early in camp], unless it’s really, really close. If someone comes in and distances themselves and really takes hold of this football team and is their leader, we’re going to name a starting quarterback. I’m not an individual who likes to play a number of quarterbacks."
If Jones is truly hoping to name a starter early in camp it would seemingly eliminate any hope of a true freshman winning the job.
Jones didn’t completely rule out a true freshman winning the starting job, but did acknowledge it would be “difficult”. The first year Vols head coach also mentioned that the true freshmen would be getting “limited reps” during the opening portions of camp.
With junior Justin Worley having the only game experience of the quarterbacks, and redshirt freshman Nathan Peterman going through spring practice, there really is too big of a hill for the incoming freshmen, Josh Dobbs and Riley Ferguson, to climb.
That’s not to say one of those guys couldn’t emerge later on in the season, especially if Peterman or Worley struggle early in the year.
Butch Jones made a quarterback switch last season with Cincinnati, going from a dual-threat quarterback to a drop-back passer. It was apparently the right call, as the Bearcats won a conference championship.
Jones isn’t alone in hoping to name a starter early, Justin Worley added to the sentiment.
"Worley: Hopefully one of us can persuade him to make a decision sometime soon"
Butch Jones went out of his way to not promote one quarterback over the other, but he did point out Worley’s consistency, which could end up giving him the edge in the position battle.
"He’s consistent. You know, we talk about consistency and performance……That’s what we want out of our quarterbacks, consistency. Day in and day out and our entire team. I don’t like teams that are emotionally up and down. I just want teams that come to work every day and Justin has been that. We’ve challenged him and you know what you’re getting every single day."
Jones has repeatedly pointed out his need and desire for consistency, rather than big play ability that isn’t consistent.
To some Worley may not be the most attractive option, but on a team riddled with youth at the skill positions, he just might be Tennessee’s best option.