In a somewhat stunning turn of events, the competition to become Tennessee’s starting quarterback has come to an abrupt and unexpected end.
According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, head coach Derek Dooley announced this afternoon that Nick Stephens has left the UT football program. No details were given as to the reasons behind Stephens’ departure.
Stephens entered spring practice as the starting QB, if for nothing more than his experience.
After watching a 3-for-9, six-yard performance in a scrimmage last week from his most experienced signal caller, Dooley decided that Matt Simms -- Stephens’ main competition for the job -- would receive additional reps with the first-team offense, with those reps coming at the expense of Stephens.
Along with fewer reps, it was believed that Simms had passed Stephens on the unofficial depth chart, although Dooley never specifically stated that was the case. Either way, the “demotion” likely played a role -- if not the biggest role -- in Stephens’ decision to leave the program.
With Stephens gone -- at least for now -- it would seem that the job is Simms’ to lose as only the very raw and inexperienced Tyler Bray would even remotely have a shot at earning the starting position.
UPDATE 7:44 p.m. ET: According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Dooley attempted to talk Stephens out of a decision until the end of spring practice, but understood that he needed to make a choice right now. Dooley also confirmed that Stephens will be transferring to another, although he didn’t reveal which one.
UPDATE 8:32 p.m. ET: Dooley has shed a little bit more light on Stephens leaving the program, and confirmed that the uncertainty surrounding his ability to win the starting job was the impetus for the decision.
“In light of the way the first eight practices have gone and some of the competition we’ve created, he doesn’t want to be here and risk not playing his senior year,” Dooley said according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. “Nick is in his fifth year and has been trying to get on the field his whole career. He just felt it was too risky to go through another season, because he just wants to play.
“We hate to lose Nick but I certainly understand it. It’s a fifth-year quarterback who hasn’t played. You go play football to play, and I understand the emotion of it.”