Butch Jones in Monday’s press conference (photos by Evan Woodbery)

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Freshman Joshua Dobbs will finish the season as Tennessee’s top quarterback, Vols coach Butch Jones said Monday.

Once spring begins, however, the four-man competition is back on.

Jones confirmed during a speech before the Knoxville Quarterback Club later Monday that Riley Ferguson, the Vols’ other freshman quarterback, fractured his tibia before the Alabama game.

Jones had previously acknowledged Ferguson’s injury, but not described its extent.

Even now, Jones said Ferguson is only “85 percent” healthy.

Josh Dobbs warms up before the Vanderbilt game (photo by Evan Woodbery)

What about redshirt freshman Nathan Peterman? He had a disastrous debut at Florida earlier this season and injured his thumb. But he’s back and appears healthy. Could he play against Kentucky?

“Joshua Dobbs will be our starting quarterback,” Jones replied.

Dobbs completed 11 of 19 passes for 53 yards against Vanderbilt. He threw two interceptions in the first half.

“I thought Saturday he showed his age a little bit,” Jones said. “Everything was kind of happening very fast for him.”