Tennessee football: Ranking all five scholarship QBs post spring practice

6’5″ 220 pounds

Honestly, it was hard to see this coming. Harrison Bailey appeared to be a better fit for Tennessee football’s offense under Jim Chaney than Josh Heupel, but based on what happened in the spring, he took a major step forward.

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Once a five-star prospect out of Georgia’s Cobb County, Bailey consistently stood out in the spring. Not only did he receive positive praise from the coaches, which all the quarterbacks did, but he also was the best performer under the lights. That includes all the scrimmages and the Orange and White game. There was no doubt Bailey was the best.

During the spring game, Bailey was the only quarterback with multiple touchdowns and no turnovers. He threw for two. In general, he was clearly the best and as one of the youngest players on the roster, that gives him a huge advantage as he picks up Josh Heupel’s system.

What’s crazy about this is that Bailey was recruited as a pure drop-back passer and struggled with his quick release while playing even in Chaney’s system last year. He didn’t seem likely to be the quickest to pick up Heupel’s system, but at least against Brian Maurer and Hendon Hooker, he looked clearly the best throughout the spring.

As a result, Bailey is definitely Tennessee football’s top quarterback heading into the summer. Joe Milton could become his biggest competition, but that remains to be seen. Bailey’s performance, for now, puts him above everybody.