Harrison Bailey, once a highly touted quarterback for Tennessee, is getting a fresh opportunity to shine as he starts for Louisville in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl against Washington this Tuesday afternoon. Bailey’s college journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, with stops at Tennessee, UNLV, and now Louisville, where he looks to leave his mark on a new chapter.
A former top 50 recruit, Bailey joined Tennessee in 2020 under coach Jeremy Pruitt, where he saw action as a freshman, starting at the end of the 2020 season. During his time at UT, he threw for 594 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. However, with the emergence of Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton III, Bailey found himself relegated to third string in 2021, leading to his decision to transfer.
He moved to UNLV, where his role was largely as a backup, but he did manage to start one game. Bailey completed 30-of-58 passes for 318 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in his lone season with the Runnin’ Rebels. Seeking more playing time, he transferred to Louisville as a walk-on, and though he played sparingly in his first two seasons with the Cardinals, Bailey is now taking the reins in the Sun Bowl.
Entering the Sun Bowl, Bailey has completed all eight of his pass attempts for 63 yards this season. With Louisville posting an impressive 8-4 record, including wins over Clemson, Pitt, and Kentucky, Bailey’s start in the big game could be the perfect stage to show what he’s capable of. As the game kicks off, Louisville is tied 7-7 with Washington in the first quarter, setting the stage for an exciting contest.
