Where former Vols QB Harrison Bailey will spend the 2024 college football season

Former five-star quarterback Harrison Bailey started his college career with the Tennessee Vols in 2020 and he was immediately faced with huge expectations. 

But unfortunately for Bailey, things never worked out at Tennessee. 

Bailey signed with the Vols ahead of the 2020 season. And the 2020 season, of course, proved to be a challenge across college football thanks to the impact of COVID-19. 

Adding to the difficulties of the 2020 season for Bailey was the fact that Tennessee's football program started trending in the wrong direction under then head coach Jeremy Pruitt, who was fired after the season due to a recruiting scandal. 

Bailey stuck around at Tennessee in 2021 for the first year of the Josh Heupel era, but after not being a factor in Heupel's offense, Bailey hit the transfer portal and landed at UNLV for the 2022 season. 

At UNLV, Bailey completed just 30 passes in six games. After the 2022 season, Bailey once again hit the portal, eventually landing at Louisville. 

Bailey saw limited action for the Cardinals in 2023, attempting just five passes. 

The 2024 season will be the first time in Bailey's career that he'll be in the same offense for the second straight season. And while he's not expected to be the starter at Louisville in 2024 -- that's expected to be Tyler Shough -- he could end up in the primary backup role under Jeff Brohm.

Bailey is currently battling Pierce Clarkson for the primary backup role. 

According to Louisville Report, Bailey's had a solid spring. 

From Louisville Report: However, don't count out redshirt senior walk-on Harrison Bailey in the battle for the backup quarterback spot, as the former five-star prospect from the Class of 2020 has looked good through the early goings of spring ball. Like Clarkson, his playing experience last season was also limited to a single drive against Murray State, going 3-for-5 for 60 yards and a 34-yard touchdown.

Entering his final season of collegiate eligibility and second season with the Cardinals after transferring in last offseason from UNLV, Bailey says he already has a firm grasp on the offense. He says it will just come down to putting together "meaningful" reps in practice.

Louisville kicks off the 2024 season on August 31 against Austin Peay.