On his 19th birthday, get to know new Vols quarterback Quinten Dormady, who came to Rocky Top from Boerne, Texas, where he played for his dad in high school. Bob Kesling recently spoke with Dormady.
Bob Kesling: Quinten talk about your transition to finally get on campus and get your college career started.
It's been great getting around the guys in my class and rooming with them has been really good. And getting to know the players that were already here has been a blast so far.
Kesling: You're a long way from home. Being a guy that just gets out of high school and comes here, talk about that transition.
Dormady:
It's been great, I feel like I'm at home here. That was one of the things in my decision to come here, just feeling like I'm at home all the time with everyone around here.
Kesling: how did Tennessee find you being from Texas? Was it a camp or how did word get up here?
Dormady:
I guess someone here had seen my sophomore film and from there it kinda grew.
Kesling: And through that you had to battle an injury. You had an arm problem. Did a lot of schools back off you?
Dormady:
I wouldn't say anyone backed off, but it slowed down. I think that for the most part everyone knew it would comeback because it's a pretty common injury. I knew I wanted to play college football somewhere. There are always days where you're like "I don't know if this is gonna happen," but that just pushed me to go harder in rehab and make sure I'm doing everything I can to get back.
Kesling: you played for your dad, he was your high school coach. How much of an advantage was that to have your dad there to get you through all of that and keep you motivated?
Dormady:
It was huge, always being around football and that sort of thing. I was still getting the mental part of it for sure. Obviously I couldn't do everything physically, but I was still getting the mental part of it for sure and still growing as a football player.
Kesling: when was the first time you remember sitting there watching film with your dad and he starts critiquing things? You must have been a little kid?
Dormady:
yeah growing up he wasn't always my coach. He wasn't my coach until middle school, but I was getting it pretty early. I got it out on the field and at home. There were some disagreements but we got through it. I think it made us closer as a family.
Kesling: Tennessee got in on you early, they stayed with you through the injury, that had to mean a lot to you.
Dormady:
it does, that they would stay on me when I'm injured and there is some uncertainty, it definitely meant a lot.
Kesling: when you got the offer from Tennessee do you remember the day and how it came down?
Dormady:
Coach Jones called my dad. It was a great feeling getting an offer from a
huge school like this and a place like this was so satisfying.
Kesling: What are your strengths as a quarterback?
Dormady:
I think my biggest strength is just being able to get the ball to the receivers and the playmakers. And then doing things with my feet when I have to, just trying to help them team win in any way you can.
Kesling: quarterbacks are all labeled now, what are the titles that you think you have?
Dormady:
I'm labeled as a pocket passer, I want to stay in the pocket as much as I
can. Also in today's game you have to be able to run a little bit just to keep the defense honest and get yourself out of trouble when you have to. I think that I can do that, but I want stay in the pocket as much as I can and get it down field.
Kesling: are you excited about finally getting this thing started? You've been talking about it for so long. You get to college, have the transitions been pretty smooth for you?
Dormady:
it's been great, I can't say that enough. I love it here. I feel like I'm at home. Obviously I'm not with my parents all the time but I talk to them. Its been good.
Kesling: well congratulations on getting here, good luck, and we're glad to have you.
