Tennessee football’s top 10 underclassmen back for 2021 spring practice

Oct 24, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half of a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Caitie McMekin-USA TODAY NETWORK
Oct 24, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half of a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Caitie McMekin-USA TODAY NETWORK
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Tennessee quarterback Harrison Bailey (15) throws a pass during the third quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.Gw56365
Tennessee quarterback Harrison Bailey (15) throws a pass during the third quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.Gw56365

6’5″ 220 pounds; Hometown: Marietta, Ga.

Moving onto another position where multiple players could make the list, we’re going to say up front that Harrison Bailey makes it over Brian Maurer. Sure, Maurer has more starting experience through two years, but through two years, he has completed only 45.7 percent of his passes for two touchdowns and five interceptions while averaging less than seven yards an attempt.

Maurer’s mobility and his zip on the ball make him an intriguing candidate in the quarterback competition with Josh Heupel at the helm, but his hesitance to run the ball that was on display last year hurts him on that front as well. Simply put, he’s got a lot more to prove.

Bailey, meanwhile, may have some issues, and his style of play as a drop-back passer may make him less of a fit in Heupel’s system, but his pinpoint accuracy last year showed why he was a five-star. Appearing in six games with three starts, he completed 70.6 percent of his passes for 5578 yards, averaged eight and a half yards an attempt, threw four touchdowns and two interceptions.

The graduate of Marietta High School in Georgia’s Cobb County, where Ramel Keyton came from as well, still has work to do, as he took lots of sacks last year and had poor pocket presence. But he brings a lot to Tennessee football’s quarterback race, and that’s what puts him here on the list.