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SEC Football: Each team’s top Heisman Trophy candidate for 2019

By Jake Mitchell

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to the CFP National Championship against the Clemson Tigers presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to the CFP National Championship against the Clemson Tigers presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Tennessee: Jarrett Guarantano, QB

In one of the bigger offseason stories around the conference, Georgia offensive coordinator Jim Chaney moved to Knoxville. It was a big win for Volunteer head coach Jeremy Pruitt, but an even bigger win for quarterback Jarrett Guarantano.

Guarantano didn’t throw for a large volume in 2019. The Vols ranked 97th in the country in passing offense, and Guarantano didn’t eclipse the 2,000-yard mark. He was, however, smart with the football. A touchdown-to-interception ratio of 12-3 is very encouraging.

Now, though, his game will be elevated. Chaney is the man who coached Jake Fromm to his last two great seasons. Under Chaney’s coaching, Fromm was able to hold off the more talented Justin Fields and Jacob Eason to keep his starting job.

Tennessee has an extremely talented receiving core. Marquez Callaway and Jauan Jennings lead a group that can do big things with the ball in their hands. Guarantano should be able to play comfortably with two great weapons.

As this offensive line rounds into shape entering 2019, hopefully with a healthy Trey Smith, the Vols are overcoming so many of the roadblocks that pop up when rebuilding a program. With so many tools now in place, Guarantano should see his numbers greatly improve.

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