Tennessee 2007 Preview

“It’s been hard since I’ve been here, but we’ll just have to find a way or make a way,” says Volunteers coach Phillip Fulmer, the dean of SEC coaches entering his 15th year. “It’s a work in progress. We’re looking for difference-makers.”

Tennessee saw to it there was a difference between last season (9–4) and the season before (5–6). But taking the next step and returning to the SEC Championship Game is a different matter.

The Volunteers lost their top three receivers and have questions on the defensive line entering a 2007 season that features road dates at California, Florida, Alabama and Kentucky.

Tennessee fans are hoping that Fulmer, defensive coordinator John Chavis and offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe can gameplan well enough to keep the trio’s 85.5 win percentage (53–9) in place.

“In the years others didn’t expect us to compete, we’ve been in the mix,” Fulmer points out, referring to a 2004 team that won the SEC East with two freshman quarterbacks. “I don’t think you can count out a team with our attitude, work ethic and talent.”

Quarterbacks
Senior Erik Ainge returns after setting Tennessee’s single-season completion percentage mark at 67 percent last season. Ainge is expected to be 100 percent after having the torn meniscus cartilage removed from his right knee halfway through spring drills in March. The 6'6" Ainge has shown more poise each season along with a better pocket presence. Ainge’s arm strength and accuracy are more than adequate. The key for Ainge, and ultimately the Volunteers, will likely be Ainge’s ability to lead. His first task will be handling an upward push from sophomore Jonathan Crompton, who showed flashes of brilliance when taking over for an injured Ainge against LSU last season. Crompton, at 6'4", 230, has better mobility than Ainge and isn’t afraid to get physical running the ball in Tim Tebow-like fashion. Cutcliffe has gone to great lengths to prevent the quarterback competition from boiling over into a controversy.

Running Backs
Tailbacks LaMarcus Coker and Arian Foster highlight the strongest unit on the offensive side of the ball. Coker (5'11", 195) possesses blazing speed and cutback ability not seen in Knoxville since Travis Stephens earned All-America honors in 2001. Coker already has two of the four longest runs in UT history (89 yards and 87 yards) despite playing only 11 games. Foster possesses a smooth running style in an NFL prototype frame (6'1", 225) and has shown great vision and acceleration in the open field. Foster, however, has been plagued with fumbling problems throughout his career. It was Foster’s fumble that turned around the Outback Bowl and led to UT’s defeat at the hands of Penn State. Fulmer has said the Volunteers will look at using Coker some as a slot receiver to take advantage of his play-making ability. Foster has proven adept in the screen game from his tailback position. Sophomore Montario Hardesty, a straight-line runner with good speed and power, has been plagued with knee injuries throughout his career but appears to be at full strength once again.

Receivers
Wide Receiver U. has become Wide Receiver “Who?” with the departure of seniors Jayson Swain and Bret Smith along with junior standout Robert Meachem. “Wouldn’t you be (concerned)? We really just haven’t lit it up at wide receiver,” Fulmer said after spring drills. Junior Lucas Taylor is the most experienced receiver returning with all of 14 career receptions. Austin Rogers and Josh Briscoe have combined for 15 career receptions. Fulmer says a bevy of incoming receivers will compete for immediate playing time — including former Florida State wideout Kenny O’Neal, Oklahoma player of the year Gerald Jones, two-time Louisiana all-state selection Ahmad Paige and Hargrave Military star Brent Vinson. The Volunteers have developed their tight ends into pass catching threats. Chris Brown, who has served as more of an H-back, has grown into a go-to man, and brothers Brad and Jeff Cottam, at 6'8", are sizable targets.

Offensive Linemen
Once a source of pride for Fulmer, a former UT offensive lineman himself, this unit is battling to rise from mediocrity under second-year line coach Greg Adkins. The Vols averaged 108 yards per game rushing, by far the lowest of Fulmer’s tenure. The first chore this season is replacing Jacobs Award winner Arron Sears at left tackle. Eric Young, an athletic 6'4", 305-pounder, is projected to make the move from right tackle to the left side. Chris Scott is expected to win the right tackle position and grow into an all-conference caliber player. Ramon Foster, named the Vols’ most improved offensive player in the spring, is already there as far as the head coach is concerned. Fulmer unabashedly projects the left guard to win SEC honors this season. Though not as flashy, the experienced Anthony Parker has shown he can lock down the right guard position. Parker’s mobility and quickness has been key in traps and sweeps. Sophomore Josh McNeil started nine games at center last season and figures to hold onto his job.

Defensive Linemen
A source of strength year-in and year-out, the Vols find themselves in the unfamiliar position of rebuilding rather than reloading on the defensive front. Junior Demonte’ Bolden hasn’t shown the consistency needed to step into the Vols’ long line of dominant defensive tackles. J.T. Mapu, who returned from his two-year church mission last season, is not yet where he was when he left UT as a starter in 2003. Walter Fisher missed spring because of shoulder surgery but could blossom into a playmaker once healthy. The Vols’ ends appear solid, though not spectacular. Xavier Mitchell returns from a four-sack season to start at one end, while Antonio Reynolds, having added 45 pounds over the past two seasons, remains the starter at the other end. Robert Ayers has shown flashes of playmaking brilliance, but like many of the Vols’ other young players, needs to exhibit consistency.

Linebackers
Sophomore weak-side linebacker Rico McCoy appears ready to become the Vols’ next great backer. He packs more punch than the 6'1", 215 he’s listed at. McCoy’s instincts and speed make him a natural for the weak-side position, where Chavis figures to use him as a weapon in blitzes. Junior Jerod Mayo is the leader in the group and steps into the middle. Mayo is a punishing hitter with a great burst to the ball. Senior Ryan Karl has played solidly at the strong-side position, a spot where Chavis requires a player who can handle multiple responsibilities. Karl is a heady player who’s not often caught out of position. Junior Ellix Wilson is another linebacker with great skills. Wilson plays the pass as well as he plays the run.

Defensive Backs
Free safety Jonathan Hefney is a bona fide All-America candidate returning to anchor the secondary. Hefney’s size (5'9", 185) has not limited his playmaking, as he recorded 96 tackles last season along with five interceptions. Senior Jarod Parrish has a head start for starting strong safety honors, but he’s expected to get pushed by incoming junior college transfer Nevin McKenzie. Parrish’s understanding of the Vols’ complex defensive gives him an edge, as the Vols open the season against California, Southern Miss and Florida. Marsalous Johnson appears to have locked down one of the starting cornerback positions, having played his way into most improved defensive player honors in the spring. Roshaun Fellows, a former freshman All-American, was dismissed from the team in late April. That leaves Antonio Gaines as the man to beat for the other corner spot, though incoming Parade All-American Eric Berry, junior college transfer DeAngelo Willingham and two-time Virginia all-stater C.J. Fleming will also be in the mix.

Specialists
A lot is riding on the toe of junior Britton Colquitt, who was handling both the punting and kicking duties for the Volunteers coming out of spring practice. Colquitt was seventh nationally with a 44.9-yard punt average last season, and he showed his accuracy kicking field goals in the spring by converting 43 and 52 yarders in UT’s spring game. Hefney averaged 12.1 yards per punt return last season, 17th in the nation.