Tennessee Volunteers name Justin Worley starting QB

Oct 29, 2011; Knoxville,TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Justin Worley (14) looks to pass against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

New Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones has settled on a starting quarterback. On Monday, Jones named junior quarterback Justin Worley the starting quarterback. Worley, originally rated as a three star prospect by Rivals.com coming out of Rock Hill, South Carolina in 2013, was the favorite to win the job so Jones’ pick comes as no surprise.

The 6’4, 222 lb. Worley has played in nine career games, mostly as a backup to Tyler Bray, now of the Kansas City Chiefs. In four games in 2011, Worley was 48-of-87 for 604 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Last season, Worley was only 15-of-23 for 134 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.

Worley was battling a trio of freshman, redshirt freshman Nathan Peterman and true freshmen Riley Ferguson and Josh Dobbs, for the job.

Peterman was rated as a four star prospect and eighth best pro style quarterback in the class of 2012. Ferguson was considered a three star prospect and the 19th best pro style prospect while Dobbs was also a three star product and considered the 20th best pro style quarterback.

The Volunteers will start their season Saturday when they take on Austin Peay at noon EST.

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