Tennessee faced its worst case scenario during Saturday night's game against Southern Miss.
Videos by FanBuzz
The Vols entered with two active quarterbacks — starter Jarrett Guarantano and backup freshman Will McBride. McBride had redshirted through nine games, which meant even playing a single down would completely wipe away his extra year of eligibility.
When asked if he was willing to burn McBride's redshirt if Guarantano's helmet came off — which forces a player to leave the field for the following play — Jones flat out answered "he'll be in the game and ready to go" during his press conference earlier this week.
Butch on if Guarantano losing his helmet for one play would make him pull Will McBride’s redshirt. “He’ll be in the game and ready to go."
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) November 1, 2017
Well apparently he wasn't joking.
In similar fashion, Guarantano went down with an ankle injury late in the second quarter following a big hit in the backfield. McBride entered the game and lasted three plays before the starter returned to action.
Three plays, one incomplete pass and a burned redshirt.
As you'd imagine, Tennessee fans were angered by Jones' latest coaching lapse. Here's how Twitter reacted to Jones' decision:
Butch Jones is the worst coach at any level of football that I've ever seen. What a waste of a redshirt. Run the Wildcat. #Vols
— Jason Hall (@JasonHall__) November 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/CurtleThaTurtle/status/926974716509937665
And just like a midnight ride with John Kelly, Will McBride’s redshirt is up in smoke.
— Travis Cabage (@Travis_Cabage) November 5, 2017
Soooooo...who goes in at QB if McBride gets hurt?
— Russell Smith (@Russell___Smith) November 5, 2017
If they just burned a Redshirt for 3 plays, that’s coaching malpractice. You give the John Kelly 3 straight snaps. #Vols
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) November 5, 2017
If I was McBride, I'd formally request a transfer before noon tomorrow, and get started again on a redshirt /transfer year.
— Michael D. Greene (@UTslick68) November 5, 2017
Butch Jones just burned a kid’s redshirt for 3 plays?
He just Tennessee’d so hard, y’all.
— BamaHammer (@Bama_Hammer) November 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/BarstoolTenn/status/926974574570409984
Butch Jones burns Will McBride's redshirt because why not, he's gone anyways! #Vols https://t.co/f7NJJVowD9
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 5, 2017
Tennessee leads Southern Miss, 10-3, at halftime.
Editor's Note: Will McBride replaced Jarrett Guarantano for a second time during the third quarter of Saturday's game against Southern Miss and is likely to stay in the game after further evaluation.
