It hasn't been simple. In fact, Tennessee quarterback Nick Stephens admits there were times this spring he felt downright "overwhelmed."
Really, who wouldn't?
Less than three months ago, Stephens was a true freshman with the stress-free job of directing the Volunteers scout team. Now as a redshirt freshman, he's still adjusting to college, but doing so as the No. 2 healthy quarterback on Tennessee's entire squad.
Recent knee surgery to starter Erik Ainge and last month's move by Bo Hardegree to tennis made Stephens more of a priority for offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe. Stephens will basically take all the snaps for the orange team during Saturday's 2 p.m. Orange and White Game at Neyland Stadium.
Oh, and he'll be running the no-huddle offense. It's a lot to digest in a short time for the former Texas prep star.
"It's my first spring," Stephens said. "I think it's definitely a learning experience. I've learned more within these past two weeks than I could ever imagine from Coach Cut. That's the one thing I was hoping to get out of it in the first place."
As a rule, learning experiences can be difficult. This was never more true for Stephens than this past Saturday, when he fired three interceptions while completing 14 of 27 passes for 117 yards and no touchdowns during an underwhelming full-speed scrimmage.
"It wasn't my best day," Stephens said, "but it did give me a lot of things to learn."
Making matters worse was the entire offense struggled to move the football. The Vols scored one touchdown during 20 overall possessions, including some that began inside the defense's red zone.
Current No. 1 quarterback Jonathan Crompton didn't fare much better than Stephens, completing half his 30 passes for 141 yards and zero touchdowns. After the workout, Cutcliffe angrily noted how the offense "took steps back," and lumped the two quarterbacks in with reasons for the letdown.
Crompton and Stephens weren't made available to the media.
"I wasn't too happy," said Crompton, a sophomore who directed the Vols during two games last season while Ainge was out with a sprained ankle.
"Sometimes you just have those days, which it really gets under your skin because you're trying to your best to get out there and not have that day."
After grading film, UT coach Phillip Fulmer wasn't as pointed in his criticism as Cutcliffe. In Fulmer's mind, Crompton remains well ahead of the newcomer.
"They need to push themselves into a complete confidence of the coaches that they're going to go out there and help you win the game," said Fulmer of the two quarterbacks. "Jon is there. I don't have any question about Jon.
"Nick is a long way away from doing that, just from mechanics and taking care of the ball and his decision making, but he's just a redshirt freshman, too."
Both quarterbacks will have a final chance to improve while directing competing teams during Saturday's spring game. Crompton will direct the white team, featuring the No. 1 offense and No. 2 defense. Stephens gets the No. 1 defense and No. 2 offense on his side. For each, there likely won't be better opportunities in the future.
Ainge, who watched the past Saturday's scrimmage with Cutcliffe in the press box, remains the certain starter and is expected back soon from minor knee surgery. All Volunteers breathe easier knowing Ainge will be healthy for his senior season.
"I was really encouraged that Erik, when he had to go out, had had a really good spring," Fulmer said. "I think he's earned the confidence of the team completely, and he's taking on a complete leadership role.
"All those things are real, real positive for us."
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