Justin Worley named Tennessee's starting quarterback

Justin Worley will be Tennessee's starting quarterback. Worley, a senior, was named the starter before last season and played in eight games before undergoing season-ending thumb surgery Oct. 29.

Justin Worley will be Tennessee's starting quarterback, head coach Butch Jones announced at a press conference Thursday.

Worley, a senior, was named the starter before last season and played in eight games before undergoing season-ending thumb surgery Oct. 29. In those eight games, Worley threw for 1,239 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Jones said Worley is playing "the best football he's played in a long time," allowing him to beat out sophomore Joshua Dobbs and redshirt sophomore Nathan Peterman.

More: Butch Jones, Tennessee look to turn young potential into production

Dobbs and Peterman will continue to compete for the backup quarterback job.

Tennessee went 5-7 last season, finishing in sixth place in the SEC East. The Volunteers open the 2014 season Aug. 31 against Utah State.

- Ben Estes