UFL matchup between former Vols quarterbacks is a reminder of one of the more bizarre controversies in recent UT history
This past weekend, a UFL matchup between the San Antonio Brahmas and the Houston Roughnecks pitted a couple of former Tennessee Vols quarterbacks against each other.
Former Vols quarterback Quentin Dormady started at quarterback for the Brahmas while former UT quarterback Jarrett Guarantano started for the Roughnecks
Neither quarterback was necessarily "excellent" in the matchup, which was won by the Brahmas. Dormady and Guarantano both finished the game on the bench after starting for their respective teams, though JG did complete a nice downfield pass near the end of the first half.
While the UFL matchup between Guarantano and Dormady proved to be underwhelming, it was a reminder one of the more bizarre controversies in recent Tennessee history.
Way back in 2017, when the Vols opened the season against Georgia Tech, the expectation was that Guarantano, a redshirt freshman at the time, would either start against the Yellow Jackets or at least see significant action.
Instead, Dormady started the game against Georgia Tech. Guarantano, meanwhile, never saw any action and he was even accused of "pouting" on the sideline over the decision by then-head coach Butch Jones.
What viewers didn't know at the time is that Guarantano, according to a source, was told in the days before the game against Georgia Tech that he would be starting at quarterback. Then, just shortly before kickoff, Guarantano was told by Jones that Dormady would be starting instead. The source said that the stunning change of plans fractured the Vols locker room and set the tone for what would turn out to be a 4-8 season for Tennessee (and Jones' final season as the head coach).
It was a dark moment during what was a dark time for Tennessee football. But fortunately for the Vols, that era of UT football is in the past. And brighter days have finally arrived thanks to Josh Heupel and his staff.
