Tennessee football: Jimmy Holiday moves from QB to WR
The Tennessee football Volunteers athlete moves from quarterback to wide receiver.
And then there were four. Less than two weeks ago, Tennessee football had six quarterbacks in its rotation who could all compete for playing time. However, on Aug. 10, Kasim Hill, who transferred from the Maryland Terrapins last year and walked on to UT while sitting out in 2019 due to eligibility rules, announced he is transferring again.
Now, Jimmy Holiday, a Mississippi athlete who committed to the Vols in 2020 and was set to be a part of the rotation, has moved to wide receiver. Jeremy Pruitt confirmed the move for the 6’0″ 196-pound freshman in his zoom press conference Monday.
With Holiday and Hill gone, Tennessee football’s rotation consists of fifth-year senior Jarrett Guarantano, sophomore Brian Maurer, redshirt sophomore J.T. Shrout and true freshman Harrison Bailey, a five-star recruit. Holiday, meanwhile, joins a position wide open for playing time.
According to Pruitt, this move was something Holiday wanted because it would help him see the field faster. He played quarterback at Madison Central High School in Flora, Miss., and Pruitt said he is still taking some snaps there but will take most of his snaps at receiver in the fall.
Rocky Top lost its two go-to wideouts last year in Marquez Callaway and Jauan Jennings. It also lost a slot receiver in Tyler Byrd, and this year, the slot will likely be a bigger focus for Jim Chaney, even if Josh Palmer, Brandon Johnson, Ramel Keyton and others adequately replace Callaway and Jennings on the outside.
In the slot, Holiday has a great chance to play. Velus Jones Jr., who transferred from the USC Trojans, is likely the favorite to start there, but like Jones Holiday brings a ton of speed to the table. He laser-time ad 4.38 40-yard dash. As a result, he’ll definitely be able to compete for playing time this year.