Tennessee Football: Jarrett Guarantano will take a big step in 2019

2019 will be Jarrett Guarantano’s best year to date, and he’s continuing to prove that throughout Tennessee’s preseason camp.

The Tennessee Volunteers had a closed scrimmage on Saturday, and Jarrett Guarantano continued to improve as he’s working to be one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC.

Some may say that’s a bit drastic and that he hasn’t proven he’s anywhere near that mark but think about his previous coach. He was off to a bad start.

There are a lot of JG haters throughout Tennessee, and I think those people are lunatics that’s right; I said it don’t at me. JG is going to have the best season you’ve seen for a quarterback in a while.

Jeremy Pruitt even bragged about Guarantano on Saturday night after their scrimmage, and it’s a good thing to hear as a Vols fan.

"“Jarrett’s had [a good camp],” Pruitt said Saturday night. “He’s been really consistent this camp. You know, we started practice off a little different today. Last week it was third downs. Today it was coming out, and then third downs and red area. To me, you’re looking for a guy to make the throws, right? Get the ball out of his hand, get the protection right."

Guarantano hasn’t been a player who takes chances on the field. Last year he was very safe, and it shows on his stat line.

Last year JG finished with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. That’s a really good ratio, but if Tennessee is going to win enough games to be bowl eligible this year, he’s going to need to up that touchdown number.

I’d rather Guarantano take chances and throw a few more interceptions if that means his touchdown number doubles. I think anyone with a brain is willing to take that and the good thing is I think JG will be able to do that in 2019.

You can write it down in your journal, and if I’m wrong then I’ll eat the crow, but the only thing I’ll be eating is a nice steak on New Years as the Vols roll over whatever average Big Ten team they play.