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Tennessee is in the market for immediate help at quarterback. That much was proven to be true last week as they showed interest in Alex Thompson, a graduate-tranfer from Wagner.
Jarrett Guarantano, Will McBride and JT Shrout (2018 early-enrollee) are the only quarterbacks on scholarship currently. Neither Guarantano or McBride showed much in their time last year, but a new offense and new coaching could change that.
For now, it sounds like Pruitt and Helton would love to add another passer into the mix. Another name to keep in mind here is Keller Chryst, who announced his intentions to transfer today. Chryst has graduated and could play immediately at a new FBS school.
After four seasons at Stanford, I have decided to transfer for my 5th year of eligibility when I graduate in June. Thank you to Stanford University, the Stanford Football program, and especially my teammates for the experiences here. Looking forward to what the future holds!
— Keller Chryst (@KellerChryst) January 21, 2018
Chryst took over for Ryan Burns last year, entering 2017 with the job. He was benched for K.J. Costello midway through the season this year. With the grad-transfer rule now in place, it makes sense for Chryst to move on to a spot where he can play out his final season of eligibility.
According to USA Today’s Dan Wolken, Tennessee could be that spot.
Heard this was in the works. Don’t be surprised if Tennessee is a player here. https://t.co/vFOktsqekh
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) January 21, 2018
Wolken then reaffirms that he’s heard Chryst to Tennessee chatter. It sounds like it’s a little more than a rumor, at least in his eyes.
Maybe but I’m not guessing
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) January 21, 2018
So that makes two quarterbacks with immediate eligibility that the Volunteers are after. Both are 6-5, 220+ pocket passers — if that tells you anything. That’s not exactly what Tennessee has on the roster in Guarantano and McBride.
Chryst was the No. 3 rated pocket passer in the 2014 recruiting class. He’s thrown for 1,926 yards 19 touchdowns (vs. just 6 interceptions) in his time at Stanford.