Guarantano keeps getting up
KNOXVILLE — Jarrett Guarantano admitted after Tennessee’s 45-7 loss to Alabama last month that he probably needs to gain 20 pounds during the football offseason.
The beating the redshirt freshman has taken in three games since being named the Volunteers’ starting quarterback has been substantial: 18 sacks in three games, along with numerous other punishing hits.
But as he has weathered the storm, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound Guarantano has continued to gain the respect of his teammates, who first saw glimpses of his toughness in practice last season.
Senior offensive lineman Jashon Robertson told a story to reporters this week about Guarantano getting leveled in practice last season by defensive end Derek Barnett, who was a first-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles this past spring and is listed at 6-3, 259 on the NFL team’s website.
“He took the hit and got up and played the next play,” Robertson said. “From that moment on, I was like, ‘Now that dude is a tough dude.’ A lot of people are just now starting to see that, but he’s definitely shown that before in practice.”
More hits could be on the way for Guarantano as he plays behind an offensive line in flux when the Vols (3-5) host Southern Mississippi (5-3) for homecoming at 7:30 tonight at Neyland Stadium.
Widespread injuries to the offensive line could leave just seven scholarship players available against Conference
USA’s Golden Eagles. If starting left tackle Drew Richmond is unavailable, five of the seven healthy linemen will be freshmen. Robertson and center Coleman Thomas are the only healthy veterans on a line considered deep and experienced entering the season.
Tennessee allowed seven sacks as its losing streak grew to four and Guarantano’s record as a starter fell to 0-3 in a loss at Kentucky last Saturday. The struggles with sacks have been attributed in part to the inability of receivers to get open and Guarantano’s tendency to hold the football, but Tennessee’s linemen are not pointing fingers at their quarterback.
“His toughness and confidence with the ball in his hand, I really love it,” Robertson said. “I love his enthusiasm for the game, his desire to win the game. It’s really fun playing with a guy like that.”
Embattled Tennesssee coach Butch Jones said this week that Guarantano is “making significant progress game in and game out.”
Sophomore receiver Brandon Johnson said Guarantano has “definitely stepped into that leadership role.”
“He’s kind of taken it by the horns,” Johnson said. “He’s definitely just proven that he can be a great leader on this team. His poise and just how he interacts with his teammates, stuff like that, I just feel like he’s really doing a great job. He’s really improved.”
Last Friday night, Guarantano stood up in front of the team and took responsibility for Tennessee’s prior two losses. The Kentucky game did not play out like he wanted, either, but his slender frame survived to play another week.
It brings a fresh opportunity to experience what he is craving.
It’s not respect. Guarantano’s teammates have already given him that.
“Time and time again, JG keeps displaying toughness and his confidence and his grit and all those things,” Robertson said. “I’m just ready for us to get a win and for him to really enjoy that side of what it’s like to play at Tennessee.”
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com.