True Freshman QB Harrison Bailey Makes Vols Debut Against Kentucky

Tennessee is doing what it can to get things back on track against Kentucky. That includes giving true freshman quarterback Harrison Bailey a shot with the starters. Trailing 34-7 in the second half, Bailey made his way into the game with 10:48 left in the fourth quarter.

It was a strong strong for the first-year player. He immediately completed a 24-yard pass to Malachi Wideman following multiple handoffs to Ty Chandler and Eric Gray. Unfortunately, that would be his only completed pass of the drive, finishing 1-of-4.

The decision to insert Bailey into the game followed the struggles of starter Jarrett Guarantano and backup J.T. Shrout. The two combined for three interceptions and a lost fumble with two of those picks being returned for a touchdown.

Despite it being reported that Bailey had seen 50 snaps in a recent scrimmage for the Vols, there were a lot of people who believed the freshman was still a ways away from seeing action in a game. Granted, those people also didn't expect Tennessee to be down by 27 points to Kentucky entering the fourth quarter.

In other words, why not give the freshman a chance?

Bailey was rated as a four-star prospect, the No. 99 overall player, the No. 3 pro-style quarterback and the No. 15 player from the state of Georgia, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.