2007 Statistics

QUARTERBACK
Like Auburn, Michigan and other programs trying to join the growing trend of spreading foes out with a mastermind to pull the proverbial strings, Tennessee vaults its offense into the 21st century. "My basic belief is you get your best players on the field, and you've got to get your best players the ball. You can't be so inflexible that you're playing a lesser talented player because of your system. You play to your strengths." That's the philosophy of Dave Clawson, who comes in from Richmond (I-AA semi-finalist, lost to giant-killers Appalachian State) after turning that program around with his offensive innovations. He will have solutions for whoever wins the vaunted starting quarterback spot, either a dual-threat or a more traditional drop-back type. "I don't care how many times we run or throw it, just as long as we use our personnel to the fullest," Fulmer said recently after Clawson, who will also coach the quarterbacks, came on board. That's good since the battle for the top spot has a few candidates with different pedigrees. One guy who can pull off both kinds of offenses is Jonathan Crompton. Coming in as the No.2 pro-style QB in 2005, Crompton also ran it for his prep squad effectively (800+ yards and 3 TDs on the ground as a senior). His speed is decent, but nothing to build an offense around unless he's really improved, which our research doesn't reveal. Hurler Nick Stevens has the strongest arm of the three up for the job, but B.J. Coleman is the same kind of all-around guy as Crompton, and Coleman has been reported to really be thriving under Clawson's guidance. This might be the most intriguing QB race in the SEC since all of these guys are viable starters.

RUNNING BACK
The superior skills of Arian Foster got him the start every game last year, and he does it all out of the backfield with his large frame and keen understanding of the game. Foster's 34 catches got him into open space, the same goal Clawson will have with his soft hands. Though they will likely use Foster as a feature back, we also expect a few more carries for the other capable prospects. Montario Hardesty is next in line, but Lennon Creer, Old Spice Redzone Player of the Year for Texas in 2006, also needs touches since he is the highest rated back to make the roster in the last two incoming classes. Fullbacks/H-Backs Holbert and Cooper are worthy ball carriers if given some touches, especially Cooper on third-down throws.

RECEIVER
The receivers will be doing more blocking and more ball-carrying via the direct hand-off/snap. We can't be sure of this, but Lucas Taylor was a three-year starter at QB in prep, while Austin Rogers was Gatorade Player of the Year as a RB/FL (2004). These were the top two receivers last year, respectively, and both are back. Backup Gerald Jones will be back after a hamstring problem limited his freshman campaign; he was the 206 Gatorade Player of the Year in Oklahoma as a QB, adding another aerial facet Clawson can plug in. The biggest name to soon (re)emerge will be Kenny O'Neal, the former FSU and then No.1-rated JUCO receiver who is still trying to find someone who will give him his chance. The corps is stacked and ready with experienced snarlers.

TIGHT END
Speaking of big targets, 2004's in-state Mr. Football and Gatorade Player of the Year Jeff Cottam uses his 6'8 body to do it all (blocking kicks for the former defender would be something for which he should be tapped, too). We expect heady Luke Stocker (6'6) to also see lots of action in the complex offense. Neither TE is a super speedster (4.6 range in the 40), but they will move laterally well enough for play development and opening the deep middle. Assuming he gets his academics in order for fall practice, keep an eye out for incoming transfer Brandon Warren, a former five-star recruit who becomes another transfer from Florida State where he started at TE as a freshman for Bobby Bowden.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Guard Anthony Parker, who is good enough to make our All-American list, leads the OL. Parker took reps at center with the needs there, but he will be back at guard by August 30th. He is joined by another Gatorade POTY, Jacques McClendon, on the inside...he started the last six games to prove this line won't skip a beat. Chris Scott filled the spot McClendon took over when he was needed at left tackle, a place he will probably stay. Josh McNeil should be back at full strength after minor knee surgery kept him off the spring practice field. Parker and RT Ramon Foster are the quickest of the linemen, and the mobility of the other three will be a contingency for how much the offense can expand. What we see when the curtain is pulled back on August 30th will be, if nothing else, exciting with so many skill position players back and this experienced line to give whichever guy is under center the time to grow into the position.

There will be continuity from a coaching standpoint on this side of things - coordinator John Chavis, the 2006 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year (FBS), is an alum who is entering his 20th year on the staff here. The DC since 1995, he has had five returning starters in each of the past two years, and the results since 2005 have declined, hence the Vol's recent inconsistencies on D. This year, he sees seven guys with significant starting time back.

DEFENSIVE LINE
The front seven has its obvious holes, especially at end. Senior Robert Ayers was 11th on the team in tackles and tops in TFLs (12) as an oft-used sub, so the losses are somewhat offset. Wes Brown knows the ropes, bumping outside permanently now to also fill the void nicely. Ohio's 2006 Gatorade Player of the Year Ben Martin and converted-LB Chris Walker look like real Vol ends in the great tradition seen here, so this area doesn’t look like a concern. Inside, the tackles are just as good and much more experienced than their outside brethren. Dan Williams finished seventh on the team in tackles, a great sign that this 300+ monster will demand double-teams to free up others. Demonté Bolden will benefit from this, as will Walt Fisher. Personnel turnover and the experienced guys still here should equal a better showing than allowing 164 rushing yards per game, very un-Chavis numbers.

LINEBACKER
The linebackers look experienced, but also still needing to prove they are true starters. JUCO-transfer Nevin McKenzie has bumped up nicely from safety, but size issues in the SEC will arise when 300-pound blockers can run sub-five seconds in the 40. Elix Wilson did much better in his limited showings last year; his sprinter’s speed allows him to match up well when foes spread things out and to make the tackle when the play develops into a run. These two guys are seniors, while the incumbent is a junior, All-SEC WLB Rico McCoy. Another Gatorade POTY (Washington D.C., 2004) and former Freshman All-American, McCoy has constantly gotten better each year. The backups look capable, and each had 15 tackles last year to give quality depth immediately. Watch for the No.1 LB (inside) recruit, Mike Donald, to see why he was American General Mr. Football, a HUGE honor that speaks volumes and sets the bar high for the RS frosh.

DEFENSIVE BACK
The DBs let in both more passing yards and passing TDs last year than in the prior one. Only one DB starter was back in ’07, but the four back this time assure improvements…especially when the top freshman tackler in the SEC, Eric Berry, is your strong safety. Berry, an ex-QB, is yet another Gatorade guy (Georgia, 2006), and last year’s top DB recruit in the country lived up to the hype immediately (222 INT return yards was second in FBS). Hargrave-product Brent Vinson also was a big hit right off – his rumored move to offense will have to be explored after he returns from a shoulder problem post spring, but he is a sure-thing at corner. Also out this spring was Marsalous Johnson (knee), whose speed offsets his smaller size nicely. The corners go even deeper with experience, but the safeties may need McKenzie back if an injury rash hits.

With what the SEC East competition is doing, this squad has to see itself achieving at the levels seen here just three years ago (ranked 7th for total D in ’05) or risk being a liability for an offense that is still trying to find its own identity. All areas look to be improved, but how fast and how much they can all come together to work as one well-oiled machine will dictate more than anything else (except for developments at the QB spot) where the Vols finish the season in their toughest of divisions.