EARLY BIRD 2005 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED THANKSGIVING 2005
THE FULL 2005 PREVIEW WILL BE RELEASED THIS SPRING
CHECK OUT OUR 2004 PREVIEW TO SEE WHAT YOU ARE MISSING
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
OFFENSE - 7
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 9
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Cedric Houston-TB, Tony Brown-WR, Derrick Tinsley-WR, Michael Munoz-OT, Jason Respert-C, Chuck Prugh-C, James Banks-WR (transferred)
DEFENSE: Karlton Neal-DE, Kevin Burnett-WLB, Dustin Colquitt-P
Defensive Line

The big reason Tennessee was able to win the SEC East in 2004, had to do with strong DL play. Three starters will return and Parys Haralson has NFL potential.

Running Back

RB is a question, but likely not a problem. Cedric Houston is gone, but Gerald Riggs and his near 1000 yards from 2004 should fill nicely. Depth is more of a question.

QB Erik Ainge
 
DB Jason Allen
 

* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2005 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
TENNESSEE 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Erik Ainge-So Brent Schaeffer-So / Rick Clausen-Sr
FB Cory Anderson-Jr ..
TB Gerald Riggs-Sr ..
WR Robert Meachem-So Bret Smith-Jr
WR Chris Hannon-Sr Jayson Swain-Jr / C.J. Fayton-Sr
TE Chris Brown-So Justin Reed-Sr
OT .. ..
OG Rob Smith-Jr ..
C Richie Gandy-Sr ..
OG Cody Douglas-Sr ..
OT Arron Sears-Jr ..
K James Wilhoit-Jr ..
DEFENSE
DE Parys Haralson-Sr ..
DT Jesse Mahelona-Sr Turk McBride-Jr
DT Justin Harrell-Jr ..
DE Jason Hall-Sr ..
SLB Omar Gaither-Sr ..
MLB Jason Mitchell-Sr Kevin Simon-Sr (inj.)
WLB .. ..
CB Roshaun Fellows-So Jonathan Wade-Jr
CB Jonathan Hefney-So ..
SS Robert Boulware-Sr Brandon Johnson-Sr / Corey Campbell-Jr
FS Jason Allen-Sr ..
P .. ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

The Vols were moving along fine with their "duel freshmen QB approach", that is until both got sidelined with injuries. Their return is a big reason Tennessee is worthy of being granted a Top 10 preseason ranking. A few holes do exist through out this lineup. The big reason that UT won the SEC East had to do with the improvement of the DL. Parys Haralson and Jesse Mahelona now anchor a defensive front line capable of making another conference title run to Atlanta next December. The injury bug has not been kind in Knoxville the last few seasons, and whether LB Kevin Simon can return to full health remains to be seen. But given the overall talent on defense, his prognosis is not "do or die" for the team by any means, just a bonus if he can return. For Coach Fulmer to get his team back into the national title picture, he'll need a better performance from the secondary (ranked dead last in SEC pass defense and only 73rd in all I-A). Jason Allen heads up a secondary capable of making those improvements. There is much to be excited about on the Tennessee River by Neyland Stadium. With a few breaks and some gritty play, the Vols will lessen their output in the loss column. And, with only two defeats in '04, that's not too shabby.