Last week, Butch Jones confirmed that he would announce Monday just who would start at quarterback for Tennessee in the season opener. If one report is correct, the decision has already been made by Jones and his offensive coaching staff.
According to Brett McMurphy of ESPN.com, the Vols have, as expected, chosen Justin Worley as the Vols’ starter for the opener against Austin Peay. While Worley had been involved in what was technically a four-player competition with redshirt freshman Nathan Peterman and true freshmen Riley Ferguson and Josh Dobbs, it was believed that Worley’s experience at the collegiate level had given him a decided edge.
In the last two seasons as a backup to Tyler Bray, Worley attempted 110 passes, completing 63. He did throw five interceptions during that time, but has improved on that aspect of the game throughout spring practice and into summer camp.
Worley was a three-star member of the Vols’ 2011 recruiting class. Peterman was a four-star recruit coming into UT, while both Ferguson and Dobbs were three-star Rivals players.