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Jeremy Pruitt plans to play QB Keller Chryst next week following Tennessee’s loss to West Virginia
By Nick Krueger
Published:
Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano’s performance Saturday during the Volunteers’ loss to West Virginia may not have been enough for him to keep his job as the team’s main quarterback.
The sophomore completed 19 of 25 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown, but Jeremy Pruitt told reporters after the game that Keller Chryst will get snaps next week.
Pruitt only made his choice for starting quarterback clear just before the game.
Jeremy Pruitt on Keller Chryst: "We need to play him…we'll let him play some next week." Said he didn't want to pre-determine a scenario for Chryst to play in this game.
Also says he thought Guarantano kept his poise today "and tried to play within himself."— David Cobb (@DavidWCobb) September 2, 2018
Pruitt may have given his quarterback a veiled compliment, but he also made it clear that the Stanford transfer would have played next week regardless of what happened.
Pruitt says he didn't care if Guarantano went 24-for-24 today, he planned on playing Chryst next week.
"We need to play both guys and develop depth."
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) September 2, 2018
It appears as if Pruitt is open to playing both this season. Guarantano provides the experience in Knoxville, but Pruitt has previously said he likes the “wisdom” that Chryst brings.
Even if Chryst gets snaps next week, the Volunteers won’t truly know what they have until two weeks later when they get their face their first conference test against Florida on Sept. 22.
Nick covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
