Is Jauan Jennings’ baggage worth it? Details emerge on a reported rift between he and Jarrett Guarantano

According to Austin Price of Volquest.com, former Vols wide receiver Jauan Jennings will be on a “zero-tolerance” policy when it comes to him rejoining the team.

Price appeared on the Midday 180 of Nashville’s 104.5 The Zone and was asked about the Murfreesboro product’s status with the team.

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He said that Jennings will be expected to walk a straight line and will most likely be removed from the team if he acts up in any way.

But that wasn’t the only news concerning Jennings. Price also discussed the relationship between Jennings and incumbent starting quarterback Jarrett Guarantano - and it does not sound like the type of relationship you would want between a quarterback and receiver.

During practices before Jennings’s injury against Georgia Tech, whenever it was Guarantano’s turn to take reps with the starting team, Jennings would literally get out of the lineup/formation and go to the back of the line and wait for former quarterback Quinten Dormady to come in and resume throwing.

Midday 180 host Jonathan Hutton drew up the image to Price, asking, “So Jennings would look over and see JG at quarterback and would hop out of the lineup?” - to which Price responded with a confident “yes”. Jennings’s action resulted in all three members of the show describing the move as “bold”.

This was first discussed on the VolQuest podcast last week. For Price’s comment’s on the situation, scroll to the 27:20 mark.

“Jauan led the anti-Guarantano run through the preseason. He would walk out of drills. He didn’t want to catch balls from JG.” - Austin Price

It’s one thing for Jennings to go after a coaching staff that has frustrated him to a certain boiling point, but to create an obvious divide amongst your team is a completely separate issue - and one that should definitely raise the question of whether or not Jennings is worth the headache.

It’s a big risk to allow this type of attitude in the locker room of a new coach and we saw what happens when things go wrong ala the Mekhi Brown situation during the championship game.

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Jennings’s talent is unquestioned and he would definitely be the best receiver on the team. He also brought a toughness to the team that few could match.

However, Jennings’s actions have been questionable at best after his injury. It began with him not joining the team in practice or on the sidelines after the injury, to the rant, and now this reported rift with Guarantano.

Hopefully things work out for the best and Jennings can get back on the team and get back to his old play-making ways in 2018. The last thing the Vols need heading into the new season is more drama.