Butch Jones Comments About Vols’ QB Situation
By Zach Ragan
Oct 5, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones during the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Georgia won in overtime 34 to 31. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
During an interview with Nashville’s 104.5 on Thursday morning, Butch Jones officially said what we basically already knew about the quarterback situation.
"Jones: We are balancing repetitions. Justin [Worley] and Riley [Ferguson] have taken more reps and they will continue to. Nate [Peterman] and Josh [Dobbs] continue to progress."
This is no surprise, as we reported last week that there was finally some separation in the battle.
Jones also recently told Bleacher Report’s Barrett Sallee that he planned to narrow the competition down to two by week’s end.
Now that the competition is apparently down to two, don’t expect there to be any more revelations in the near future. Jones, as history would indicate, will want this competition to go all the way until the season starts.
The fan’s choice will obviously be Riley Ferguson, but the more logical choice — at least to start the season — would be Justin Worley.
Worley has the experience and he was really starting to take control of the team last year before a thumb injury derailed his season.
Ferguson is a more dynamic player with a better arm and instincts. His lack of experience, however, combined with playing behind a inexperienced offensive line could spell disaster for the Volunteers.
Breaking in a new quarterback on August 31 against an opponent like Utah State probably wouldn’t be the best idea.
I believe Worley will end up being your starter to open the season, unless Ferguson just plays head and shoulders above the senior from Rock Hill, SC.