Tennessee football roster: Projecting Vols’ 2018 2-deep depth chart

Quarterback

1. Keller Chryst

A true pro-style quarterback, Chryst is primed and ready for Tyson Helton’s offense as a graduate transfer senior. With Pruitt clearly wanting to make a good first impression in 2018, he’ll need Chryst’s veteran presence and leadership. As a result, right now, we’re predicting he wins the starting job with the Vols.

A 6’5″ 234-pound senior, Chryst never fully enjoyed a healthy season with the Stanford Cardinal. And he hovered around a 55 percent completion rate during his time there, averaging fewer than seven yards an attempt every year.

However, he did throw 19 touchdowns to only six interceptions. And he was in a system that’s all about limiting big plays and just controlling the clock. That won’t be the case in Knoxville. Helton’s offense will allow the once four-star quarterback recruited for his big arm to put it all on display, and that combined with his experience is why he’ll be the starter.

2. Jarrett Guarantano

Although Keller Chryst will earn the starting job, Jarrett Guarantano proved he should be the Tennessee football quarterback of the future. And he will clearly be the Vols backup this year. He just needs time to learn a pro-style offense and adjust to a new system.

But he’s still a redshirt sophomore and also has a big arm. So after one year behind Chryst, he’ll be ready to go in 2019. On top of that, he could see action this year if Chryst’s injury woes continue. Simply put, the Vols will have a good quarterback situation with these two guys.