Tennessee QB Jarrett Guarantano leaves game vs. Southern Miss, Will McBride sheds redshirt

The Tennessee Volunteers’ 2017 season just took another twist.

After replacing Quinten Dormady during South Carolina week, Jarrett Guarantano had held the quarterback job ever since. However, with the news that Dormady would be out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder issue, Will McBride’s name came into focus.

McBride hadn’t played at all to this point in the season, as the team was hoping to redshirt him. Tennessee head coach Butch Jones said earlier in the week that he wouldn’t hesitate to insert McBride into the game, even if Guarantano’s helmet simply popped off.

That would of course burn McBride’s redshirt status.

On Saturday night, Butch Jones did just that. Guarantano was forced to exit the game in the 2nd quarter. Television showed Guarantano potentially injuring his foot during his touchdown run. He left the game in the 2nd quarter after taking a hit in the middle of a drive.

McBride came in the next play. The true freshman played three snaps, which included a deep ball which just missed in the endzone. Following that play, Guarantano re-entered the game. He took the final snap before halftime.

Here’s this reaction from McBride’s mom, for what it’s worth.

UPDATE: Will McBride starts the second half for Tennessee. It seems like Butch Jones didn’t have much of a choice here.

McBride played the rest of the game, going 1-8 for 13 yards.