WATCH: Jarrett Guarantano UA jersey presentation

Bergen Catholic is a prominent high school in New Jersey, one that has produced a ton of college football players and several pros including current Houston Texans middle linebacker Brian Cushing. But for all the talent to step on the field for Bergen, quarterback Jarrett Guarantano will be one of the first Crusaders to suit up in the Under Armour All-America game, an honor Guarantano can’t wait to experience.

“This is something I’ve always wanted to do growing up," Guarantano said. "Being one of the first Bergen Catholic alum to go to the Under Armour game means a lot. Coming from such a prestigious school and having the honor to be able to play for people back home who believed in me and have been there to support me in the past years is going to be special.”

Guarantano, an ESPN 300 quarterback, has been committed to Tennessee since April, so he has had enough time to game plan with the Volunteers' coaches about what his role will be next season.

“The idea that both of us came to is that I want to be able to get on campus and learn the offense as soon as possible," Guarantano said. "Then be the backup and, God forbid, if the starter goes down I want to be ready for anything. Then probably my redshirt freshman year be able to start. That’s what they have said, and that’s what I’m hoping to come into the building and do.”

With Josh Dobbs firmly ahead of him at Tennessee, Guarantano is comfortable with the notion that he will need to learn and grow his first season. He says if there wasn’t an entrenched starter, his competitiveness would want him to go after the starting spot, but this situation lends itself to growth and future opportunity.

“I’m accepting of it. Knowing that I’m going in and there’s a senior that started four years,” he said. “I know that I’m going to accept my role and learn from him. He’s a smart quarterback, so I’m just going to learn from him and grow as much as I can under Josh.”

Q&A with Jarrett Guarantano:

What players are you looking forward to competing with or against at the UA All America Game?

Last week’s game I played against about 10 players from IMG, so I’m looking forward to be with those guys again. Being with guys like Dwayne Haskins and guys like that, who I’ve grown up with. Being able to compete with and hang out for a week or so, I can’t wait for that.

If you could start a team with any other player in your class who would it be?

I think I would start with Rashan Gary. He’s really a beast, as you can see on the film. He gets after me a lot, but he works really hard, humble and I really like being around him, so I would pick him.

What was your earliest football memory?

Probably scoring on a quarterback sneak when I was seven. Going 60 yards and seeing how slow I was on tape, that’s probably one of my favorites. We were going on a silent count and the defense didn’t notice. I was really slow back then, I don’t know how nobody caught me but I was running like a deer straight for the end zone.

Which football player did you watch as a kid?

My all-time favorite was always Peyton Manning. I always loved watching him and Brett Favre. Those two were my guys growing up. I like watching Manning and Colin Kaepernick now.

If you could take on any pro in their sport, who would it be?

I think I would have to go with Kobe Bryant. Just seeing how he prepares himself, how he processes things and thinks about things. I think being around a guy like that would really help me. And I would probably get my butt kicked, but it would be fun.

Why do you wear your number (18)?

I wear No. 18 because it’s like a family number for us. My dad wore it in college and wore it all throughout his life, so it’s something I carried on. It means a lot to our family and I’m going to try to keep it at Tennessee.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I have to admit that I’m one of the biggest goofball kids around. Football, I’m serious but off the field you’ll always catch me dancing, jumping around laughing, always having a good time. I’m 100 percent a goofball off the field. I love pranking people, jokes on people. On a daily basis I’m catching my mom, making my mom and sister jump when they come around the corner.