Vols commitment Jauan Jennings plans to play QB, not DB

Tom Kreager | Gannett Tennessee

MURFREESBORO – Jauan Jennings heard the doubters.

They've questioned if the Blackman football standout and Tennessee commitment is capable of playing quarterback in the SEC. They say he should play safety, where he started as a sophomore at Blackman but has played little since.

Through seven games into the high school football season, though, Jennings has shown that quarterback could be where he plays in college.

Jennings has completed 72 of 124 passes for 1,224 yards with 11 touchdown passes and just two interceptions.

He's also added 545 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns on 63 carries. He is a big part of second-ranked Blackman's 7-0 start.

"I wish people would just give me a chance," Jennings said. "Maybe I can play quarterback. That's why I love Tennessee. I found a system that believes in me and I believe in them."

Jennings' statement game at quarterback came two weeks ago against Independence. Blackman trailed 42-14 early in the fourth quarter before the Blaze, behind Jennings, scored 29 unanswered points to win 43-42. Jennings was 25-of-39 passing with a career-high 369 yards with three touchdowns.

"What is unique about Jauan, and we know this regardless of the position or the sport he's playing, the kid is the ultimate competitor," said Barton Simmons, 247Sports.com national recruiting analyst. "That shows up in everything he does. That game was certainly a résumé builder.

"He can beat you in so many ways. He did it against Independence. He has so many tools, it's hard to count the kid out."

Simmons said Jennings has proven he can play quarterback in college.

"The progressions he's made over the last year or two are pretty striking," Simmons said. "It's evident how much he's worked, and that's not always the case with the really athletic guys that often want to be called quarterback."

He's been recruited by at least one school as a wide receiver — despite the fact there is not one video highlight of him ever catching a ball because he's never played receiver at Blackman.

A lot of the talk on other positions seem to center around those who consider him an athlete in the recruiting world. Many recruiting websites until recently have listed him as an athlete. It's a word he hates.

"I look back and 247(Sports) finally put me as a dual-threat quarterback," Jennings said. "But I also see dual threat, then I see athlete, and I see safety. Why not just dual threat?"

His play on defense has been limited this year. He said he played two snaps against Oakland, a little against Independence and some against La Vergne this past week.

"I played free safety my entire sophomore year and maybe half of my junior year. But Ronnie (Killings) played most of it, even in the playoffs (last year). But I'm called the athlete."

Jennings has been a different quarterback from a year ago. He's been more polished this season. His footwork has improved dramatically.

Simmons said while he believes Jennings will play quarterback at Tennessee, there is always a chance he could end up somewhere else on the field given his athleticism.

"That's the case with any kid that's as talented athletically as he is," Simmons said. "When you have big-arm quarterback, they aren't capable of projecting them to other positions because all they have is arm talent.

"That's not the case with Jauan. You can be extremely confident in him as a quarterback. But it's also comforting as a coach to know if it doesn't work out, he can help you somewhere else on the field.

"I do think they will have an open quarterback competition next year. Everyone else in that race are pure pro-style guys. He'll provide a dimension that no one else will bring."