Former Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano made an appearance on Rocky Top earlier this fall for the first time since transferring away as a graduate following the 2020 season. The journey back to Knoxville and the University of Tennessee was highly anticipated, but one of great emotion for the former signal-caller.
“I needed some time away. I needed some time to cope with my thoughts and to cope with some things that happened at Tennessee,” the lettermen said on the Locked on Vols Podcast this week. “I knew it was always going to be in my heart to come back. I just felt it was the perfect time this season. I just felt I was good to go mentally, physically and everything – I was all there.”
The Lodi, N.J. native spent five total seasons with the program, redshirting in 2016 before being the primary quarterback for the Vols over the next four seasons through 2020. Following the COVID-shortened campaign, Guarantano transferred to Washington State to play his final year of eligibility in 2021.