clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Jeremy Pruitt breaks down Harrison Bailey, Jimmy Holiday

One comes with high expectations — the other is a total wildcard.

Vols Recruiting Early Signing Period
Harrison Bailey
Tennessee Football

Harrison Bailey has been committed to Tennessee for over a year, giving the hype train a full year to get to full steam. Bailey delivered on the field during year, winning a state title for Marietta in the ultra-competitive state of Georgia.

On Wednesday, he officially became a Tennessee Volunteer.

“Harrison is a big guy that has a live arm,” Pruitt said on Wednesday. “Really does a lot of things from within the pocket. Just led his team to a state championship. Has anticipation throwing the football. Great leader, captain of his football team.”

Bailey comes to Tennessee as a four-star prospect, ranking 124th in the country, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings. The 6-4, 224 pound prospect enters a quarterback room that’s very much in question entering 2020. Will Jarrett Guarantano be around next year? Can Brian Maurer get back on track after those two concussions? Does Kasim Hill have anything left in the tank? Where does J.T. Shrout fit in?

These quarterback questions have a way of working themselves out in practice — and the transfer portal in today’s college football world.

Bailey plans to enroll early, which at least give him a chance to dive into the playbook early on, perhaps giving him an opportunity to enter the conversation for starting quarterback in the fall.

Adding another piece of intrigue to the situation is Jimmy Holiday, who it sounds like will at least get a shot to prove himself at the position.

“Jimmy Holiday is a guy that’s a phenomenal athlete,” Pruitt said. “He’s one of those guys that you’re seeing changing the game in pro football right now. His versatility, how he can run the football, different types of run games that he can do — anytime he has the ball in his hands, he’s got a chance to go the distance.”

Pruitt with the subtle Lamar Jackson reference there.

Holiday threw for over 1,000 yards in each of his final two seasons in high school, but he did most of his damage on the ground. Will his ultimate position end up being at quarterback? We’ll see, but 4.38 speed translates to just about any skill position on the roster. Considering Tennessee’s need for playmakers on the outside, I’d be surprised if Holiday doesn’t get some looks at receiver.

Even if he doesn’t grow into a starter a quarterback, maybe Holiday at least is a guy that can give Tennessee some wildcat type looks down the road. Getting that elite speed on the field one way or another is an absolute must.