Jarrett Guarantano Reveals Top 3: Which Team Is Best Fit for 4-Star QB?

Jarrett Guarantano began collecting collegiate scholarship offers before he entered high school. Now a junior, the coveted quarterback appears to be closing in on a decision with more than 30 options at his disposal.

The 4-star New Jersey prospect revealed his top three and intention to announce a commitment this spring during a Sunday conversation at the Rivals Quarterback Challenge in Atlanta.

Guarantano identified Ohio State, Rutgers and Tennessee as the teams to beat, per Rivals.com. He later confirmed that list during a discussion with Bleacher Report. 

The 6'4", 200-pound passer warranted distinction at the camp, earning honors as "Rocket Arm" after performing against a collection of quarterbacks that included former Tennessee commit Austin Kendall:

Guarantano, who previously listed four finalists last August, has altered his recruiting landscape quite a bit since then. That group of favorites featured Oklahoma, Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State, the lone holdover.

More than seven months later, this decision likely centers on his new top-three list. Guarantano told Rivals an announcement will arrive in "probably three to four weeks."

That time frame leaves room for final assessments of each potential landing spot.

Guarantano, who rates sixth nationally among pro-style quarterbacks in 247Sports' composite rankings, is among the country's most heralded uncommitted offensive talents.

"I can read coverage, go through my progressions and get the ball out in a hurry," Guarantano told Bleacher Report. "But I can also use my feet when I need to. I’m a good enough athlete to get around the corner.”

Though he was limited by injury at times in 2014 and has fewer varsity reps than many of his 2016 contemporaries, Guarantano presents promising upside, college football pedigree and elite arm strength.

Here's a breakdown of Guarantano's top choices and how each program factors into his final decision.

Ohio State

As we mentioned earlier, the Buckeyes have been in this mix throughout much of his recruitment. Ohio State extended an offer in May 2014 and welcomed him to camp a month later.

When Guarantano unveiled an initial top-four list last summer, he candidly pointed out Urban Meyer as a central figure in his recruitment.

“I’d have to say my closest relationship is with Coach Meyer," he told B/R.

The veteran leader's success with quarterbacks is beyond question at this stage in his career. Meyer, a three-time national champion, has produced multiple first-round NFL daft picks at the position and coached his second- and third-string passers throughout last season's title run.

Meyer looked back to his Utah tenure for a comparison to the latest Ohio State target.

"He made it clear to me that I’m more like Alex Smith with my passing abilities, but he thinks I’d also be able to run the read-option offense like Braxton Miller," Guarantano said. "Ohio State likes that I can do both."

DOUGLAS C. PIZAC/Associated Press

Ohio State offers an opportunity to orchestrate the offensive attack for a future Hall of Fame head coach, but quarterback is a crowded spot in Columbus. The 2015 roster now features six scholarship players at the position, highlighted by three with significant playing experience and two 2015 signees.

The Buckeyes' 2017 class already includes in-state standout Danny Clark, who is the No. 2 dual-threat prospect among rising juniors.

Tennessee

Guarantano followed his performance in Tennessee with a visit to Knoxville. The Volunteers have been in pursuit since offering a scholarship last April, hosting him on campus multiple times since then. 

The dynamics here became more interesting earlier this month when Kendall decommitted from Tennessee. He now appears to be leaning toward Kentucky, leaving the door open for a new quarterback pledge in Butch Jones' class:

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Former #Vols commit Austin Kendall & future (?) #Vols commit Jarrett Guarantano #RivalsChallenge pic.twitter.com/t8XsB0vKmK

— Adam Friedman (@RivalsFriedman) March 22, 2015"

Tennessee didn't sign a quarterback in its 2014 class but made up for that by landing three players who will compete at the position in 2015. Headlined by former Florida commit Sheriron Jones, this group gives the Volunteers a far more competitive landscape on the depth chart than what existed last year. 

Guarantano was expected to meet with new Volunteers offensive coordinator Mike DeBord during Sunday's campus visit.

"We're going to sit down with their new quarterback coach/offensive coordinator, see how their offense is going to fit me," he told Rivals. "I think it fits me pretty well just the way they've been running it, but we'll see how the different changes might suit me."

How that discussion develops could go a long way in determining if Guarantano is destined to land in the SEC.

Rutgers

Coach Kyle Flood and the Scarlet Knights are aiming to make a statement after an eight-win season that largely exceeded expectations for the Big Ten newcomers. Rutgers relied on roller-coaster stretches of play from quarterback Gary Nova during his four seasons as a starter and now must turn the page. 

LSU transfer Hayden Rettig was a highly regarded 2013 recruit and now has an opportunity to make his mark at Rutgers following a redshirt season. Still, depth at the quarterback position in Piscataway doesn't measure up to the kind of competition now in place at Tennessee and Ohio State (though few colleges can challenge what the Buckeyes currently have cooking at quarterback).

The Scarlet Knights made Guarantano an extremely early priority, giving him a verbal offer in 2012 when he was just a rising freshman. His father, James Guarantano, played for the team and is in the Rutgers Hall of Fame.

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

"I feel a little bit of pressure coming from the fans and the alumni and that sort just because my dad," he told Rivals.

Gurantano could serve as a catalyst for Rutgers to retain premier in-state talent. Conference foes Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State are among programs that perennially attempt to plunder New Jersey talent, so "border patrol" is a crucial part in the team's efforts to improve.

Though he should be considered a welcome addition on any campus in the country, Guarantano would be greeted by more fanfare—and a clearer path to playing time—at Rutgers than anywhere in America.

His personal ties to the team, recent visits to the university and an opportunity to rapidly ascend into a paramount position within the nearby program leads us to believe that Guarantano will ultimately become a monumental commitment for the Scarlet Knights.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.