Tennessee has turned to the father-son team of Lane and Monte Kiffin to lift Rocky Top off its Rocky bottom after last season’s 5–7 campaign. Lane Kiffin, the former Oakland Raiders head coach and USC offensive coordinator, wasted little time bringing a renewed sense of urgency, unafraid to make as many headlines off the field as he plans to make on it.

“You’re going to see it. You’re going to feel it,” the 34-year-old Kiffin vowed.

Did we ever, as some of Kiffin’s candid remarks aimed at SEC powers Alabama and Florida sent shockwaves across the nation.

The Vol Nation fed off Kiffin’s emotionally charged confidence, and more than 50,000 turned out to the Tennessee spring game to witness the workings of the brash young coach and his star-studded, multi-million dollar staff.

Monte Kiffin, architect of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2002 Super Bowl winning defense, says coaching with his son has been everything he expected.

“I call him coach. He calls me Dad,” says Monte, the Volunteers defensive coordinator. “I didn’t anticipate any problems, and there hasn’t been any.”

Offensive coordinator and line coach Jim Chaney, lured from the St. Louis Rams, has worked in tandem with Lane Kiffin to design an offense that allows Tennessee to integrate new talent quickly.

“You get your best football players on the field,” says Chaney, who prior to his stint with the Rams spent nine years at Purdue, tutoring NFL star Drew Brees along the way. “I think our system is pretty friendly to players. I don’t think we’ll have to simplify to get them involved.”

That will be key: The Volunteers landed their best skill position recruiting haul in more than 10 years.

Quarterbacks

Senior Jonathan Crompton is working with his fourth offensive coordinator in five years, and with a healthy offseason and a simplified scheme, looks stronger than ever. The 6'4", 228-pound Crompton is finally in position to make use of his considerable arm strength. Easier reads have made for more authoritative throws, and Kiffin’s insertion of bootleg action plays to Crompton’s strengths. B.J. Coleman, who played in one game late last season, transferred after spring practice, but junior Nick Stephens remains in contention for playing time. Stephens’ quick release and decision-making led him to limited success last season — his 106 straight passes without an interception were the most by any UT quarterback to start his career. Crompton’s physical upside and experience put him at the top of the depth chart heading into fall camp. Former Boston Red Sox minor league pitcher turned football walk-on Mike Rozier could be the wild card in the deck. The 6'5", 245-pound Rozier signed with North Carolina out of high school in 2004.

Running backs

Senior Montario Hardesty hits holes hard and possesses breakaway speed, and with a healthy spring behind him is on pace to enjoy his finest season. But before Hardesty can lead the Vols to victories he must first win his position. That figures to be a challenge with highly regarded prospects Bryce Brown and David Oku coming to fall camp. Brown, a 6'0", 215-pound super talent from Wichita, Kan., was ranked the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation by Rivals.com, and a visit to various YouTube highlight reels shows why. Oku, a 5'10", 185-pounder, was Rivals’ No. 1-rated all-purpose back and offers quickness and receiving ability. Freshman Toney Williams enrolled early and was expected to challenge for immediate playing time, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in summer workouts. Tauren Poole is another shifty option who should get into the mix this year. Fullbacks Kevin Cooper and Austin Johnson could get competition in the event the coaches move a tailback to the position.

Receivers

Junior Gerald Jones emerged as to the go-to guy with a team-high 30 catches and four TD catches last season despite seeing more double coverage than other Tennessee receivers. Jones has great hands and adjusts well to the ball. His running ability is such that he saw action as a running quarterback, though Kiffin shows no intention of continuing the “G-Gun” package. Senior Quintin Hancock was named most improved offensive player in spring drills, while junior Denarius Moore (24.6 yards per catch) will be counted on to stretch defenses. Highly touted newcomer Nu’Keese Richardson was headed to Florida before Kiffin’s staff arrived and convinced him he could have an immediate impact with the Vols. Brandon Warren, a former Freshman All-America tight end at Florida State, was moved to receiver and could create matchup problems. Tight end Jeff Cottam is an easy target to find at 6'8", 260, while Luke Stocker proved to be reliable last season.

Offensive linemen

Chaney has brought with him a zone blocking scheme that has enabled the Vols’ linemen to play with more aggression. The interior line is strong with fourth-year starter Josh McNeil at center flanked by fellow seniors Jacques McClendon and Vladimir Richard. Senior Chris Scott has a hold on left tackle duties, while Jarrod Shaw and converted tight end Aaron Douglas are battling for the starting job at right tackle. “Last season was rough,” Richard says. “But Coach (Kiffin) is a competitor. He loves smacking people in the mouth.” After years of defensive dominance in practice drills, the UT offensive line stepped up and proved it could hold its own in the spring.

Defensive linemen

Junior end Chris Walker appears to be the next Tennessee great on the front line, using his quickness to win battles off the edge and his hands to keep blockers at bay. Junior Ben Martin is a near mirror image at the other end. Both players are under 240 pounds, but their athleticism and strength have proven effective. Nosetackle Dan Williams (6'3", 327) is one of the most underrated performers in the SEC. Williams has great leg drive and plugs the run like few others. Senior Wes Brown is expected to overcome offseason arthroscopic surgeries performed on both knees to start beside Williams. Freshman Montori Hughes emerged as a pleasant, and at times overpowering, surprise.

Linebackers

Senior All-SEC performer Rico McCoy is the only returning starter in the corps and will once again anchor it from the weak-side position. McCoy, at 6'1", 220, has great instincts and is relentless in pursuit. What junior Nick Reveiz lacks in height (5'10"), he makes up for in playmaking ability, as he continues to draw great praise from Monte Kiffin. Junior LaMarcus Thompson emerged from spring drills as the leader at strong-side linebacker, but Thompson’s lack of experience leaves concerns at this position.

Defensive backs

Junior All-America strong safety Eric Berry returns from minor shoulder surgery to continue his assault on record books and opposing offenses. “If there’s something he’s not good at, I haven’t seen it,” Monte Kiffin says. “He runs. He hits. He leads. And he’s smart. There are 32 teams in the NFL, and whatever pick I had in the first round, I’m taking Eric Berry.” Sophomore Stephaun Raines left fall camp the starter opposite Berry after Demetrice Morley’s spring dismissal, but incoming freshmen Darren Myles Jr. and Nyshier Oliver are expected to compete immediately at free safety. Recruits Janzen Jackson and Marsalis Teague could also have impact in the secondary. Junior cornerback Brent Vinson will be challenged to maintain the tag of “best athlete on the team,” and could be challenged to hold the starting job after missing spring with a shoulder injury. Sophomore Art Evans edged ahead of junior incumbent Dennis Rogan at the other corner in an ongoing competition.

Specialists

With Kiffin & Company overhauling most every other position, the special teams units remain under construction heading to fall camp. Incumbent junior placekicker Daniel Lincoln was a Freshman All-American two seasons ago, but his sophomore struggles carried into an inconsistent spring. Freshman Ethan Ingham could challenge if Lincoln does not get his kicks straightened out. Junior Chad Cunningham started half of last season and is expected to maintain punting duties as the Vols return to a more conventional punt protection package. Jones, Rogan and Moore are the most experienced returners, but an influx of highly touted freshman skill position players could shake up the depth chart.

This preview appears in the 2009 Athlon Sports Southeastern Magazine. Click here to order yours today.

Del.icio.us | Digg it | Athlon Sports RSS Feeds