JARRETT GUARANTANO (QB, #2)
After taking over the Vols’ starting quarterback job in the second half of the 2017 season, Guarantano retained that job in preseason camp this season as a redshirt sophomore. And the 6-4, 209-pound New Jersey product has acquitted himself well, completing just over 70 percent of his pass attempts. After facing top NFL prospect Drew Lock last weekend, the Bulldog secondary surely can’t go to sleep against Guarantano’s passing Saturday at Sanford Stadium.
TIM JORDAN (TB, #9)
Jordan, a 5-11, 203-pound sophomore out of Bartow, Fla., has been Tennessee’s rushing leader in the Vols’ four games to date. Owning both quickness and power, Jordan ran for a career-high 118 yards in the opening loss to West Virginia this season and must be accounted for by the Georgia defense Saturday afternoon.
MARQUEZ CALLAWAY (WR, #1)
Callaway is the Volunteers’ leading receiver this season and teams with fellow wideout Jauan Jennings —he of the Hail Mary winning TD catch against the Bulldogs two years ago — to give Tennessee an outstanding pass-catching duo. Callaway, a 6-2, 200-pound junior from Warner Robins, Ga., would love nothing better to return to his home state and fashion a big upset of the Bulldogs.
DANIEL BITULI (ILB, #35)
The ringleader of the Volunteer defense, this 6-3, 244-pound junior middle linebacker led Tennessee in tackles last season with a total of 90 and really has a nose for the football. The Bulldogs’ offensive front will have its hands full Saturday in attempting to neutralize Daniel Bituli.
NIGEL WARRIOR (FS, #18)
Another Georgia product who will be out to make a good showing against the home-state Bulldogs. Warrior, a 6-0, 188-pound junior out of Duluth and Peachtree Ridge High, was second on the Volunteers in tackles as a mere sophomore in 2017 and is also an excellent kick returner. The Bulldogs will need to be aware of Warrior’s whereabouts at all points of the game Saturday.
MICAH ABERNATHY (SS, #22)
Abernathy, a 6-0, 195-pound senior, teams with Warrior at the safety position to give Tennessee a solid pair in the Vols’ secondary. Abernathy was third on the team in tackles last season, recording at least five tackles in every SEC game played and, yes, is still another Georgia native suiting out for new UT head coach Jeremy Pruitt … hailing from Greater Atlanta Christian high school.
Tennessee Fast Facts:
The Volunteers this season are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 1998 national championship team, which went 13-0 and beat Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl.
One of Tennessee’s greatest ever players, Willie Gault, and one of the Georgia greatest ever players, Kevin Butler, were teammates for the Chicago Bears 1985 Super Bowl championship team.
One of the most decorated baseball players in SEC history is Tennessee and Rockies star Todd Helton, who was the starting quarterback for the Vols in their 1994 win over Georgia in Athens.