Justin Worley-What A Difference A Year Makes
All I can say about Justin Worley is what a difference a year makes. Last season, going into the Florida game, Justin was preparing as backup to starter Nathan Peterman. Let that sink in.
The Worley of 2013 had been unimpressive, but not terrible by any means, to start the season against Austin Peay, Western Kentucky, and Oregon. In retrospect it was not that his numbers were bad, but how bad he looked accumulating the numbers he was putting up.
Worley had 372 yards passing in 3 games prior to going to Gainesville. He was 35-57 with only 1 interception and 5 touchdowns. Those aren’t bad numbers, but Worley had missed too many wide open receivers, and made too many poor decisions. The truth is that most Vols fans, including myself, had come to the conclusion that there had to be a better quarterback on the bench, and we wanted something different.
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Obviously the decision to start Nathan was one for the record books. It was a complete disaster unfortunately for the redshirt freshman. It became the single worst game a Tennessee Quarterback had ever had. However, the fact that Peterman is still at the University of Tennessee pursuing a starting job tells me something about this young man.
Tennessee was in great position to win this game early as Gator QB Jeff Driskell was knocked out early. The Vols dug a hole that could not be overcome with the poor offensive showing in The Swamp. Peterman was hurt, and Worley came in to finish up.
During the Summer Justin Worley took matters into his own hands. He went to the Manning Passing Academy and drew rave reviews from a guy that knows a few things about quarterbacks, Archie Manning. He went to California to work with famed QB molder George Whitfield, Jr. By all accounts, he got better each day
Fast forward to the 2014 season. Justin Worley has become “The Man” of the Tennessee football team. Worley is putting up SEC quarterback stats. He is presently completing 60% of his passes and has thrown 9 touchdowns against 3 interceptions. He has put these numbers up against good football teams. Oklahoma and Georgia are two of the four.
Take into consideration that Justin Worley has been sacked 11 times. Number 14 has more pressure put on him than a New York Traffic Cop. He has been beaten up, beaten down, and beaten sideways this season. Worley is playing behind an offensive line that is so young they are probably wearing pajamas with feet sewn in them around the dorm.
But Worley picks himself up. The fans love him for it, and Team 118 is inspired by his toughness. Make no mistake though, he is not just a Rocky Balboa punching bag. He is playing the quarterback position the way it is supposed to be played.
Worley can spin the ball. He made the best throws he has made in his career last week against Georgia, and I think he can take it to a new level this week. I believe he will have a huge day if the line can give him a little time. I also believe if he would keep the ball every once in a while on the zone read he would average 25 yards per game rushing and Jalen Hurd would add another 25 yards per game to his total.
The most dramatic change in one year for Worley other than his performance, is what he means to the fans, and how he is perceived as a quarterback. I would have never dreamed a year ago that I would be standing in a room full of Vol fans that were distraught over the fact that Worley was knocked out of the game. I would never have dreamed that radio talk show hosts would be making the argument that Justin Worley is the best quarterback in the SEC East. I would have never dreamed early last season that the words “draft pick” would be used in describing his progress this year.
Now I want to see something from Worley that I did not dream of for the last 9 years. Beat Florida. If he can lead the Vols to a victory over the Gators I will be thinking to myself, wow, what a difference a year makes.