Jarrett Guarantano, Darrell Taylor added to 2019 award watchlists

Just ahead of Jeremy Pruitt’s appearance at SEC Media Days in Birmingham, two Tennessee Volunteers have shown up on two prominent college football award watchlists.

Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano landed on the Maxwell Award watch list, while Darrell Taylor appeared on the Bednarik Award watch list.

Guarantano, a redshirt junior, is entering his second full season as the starting quarterback in Knoxville. He’s looking to improve under new offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, who was hired away from Georgia this winter.

The Maxwell Award is given to the ‘best all-around player in college football.’

Guarantano threw for 1,907 yards last year and 12 touchdowns in 2018, after missing large chunks of the games against Missouri and Alabama.

Darrell Taylor was the pass rushing leader for Tennessee in 2018 and figures to be just that once again in 2019. Taylor racked up eight sacks in 11 games last season and will be looking for a little more consistency under new defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley this year.

The Bedarik Award is given to the ‘best defensive player in college football’ each season.