Kingsport Times News: UT tackles uncertainty this spring

By JOHN MOOREHOUSE

Times-News

A year ago, Tennessee entered spring practice needing to replace only a few departed seniors. That's not the case now. Coming off their first losing season since 1988, the Volunteers begin their spring drills today facing a plethora of uncertainties on their depth chart for the coming campaign. The pending position battles are just part of the story, though, after a 5-6 season that led Phillip Fulmer to overhaul his entire offensive coaching staff. Fulmer fired receivers coach Pat Washington and line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens, and brought back David Cutcliffe as offensive coordinator to succeed Randy Sanders, who already had announced his resignation. The new faces? Tight ends coach Matt Luke and running backs coach Kurt Roper. The other two offensive coaches now manage different positions. Greg Adkins was promoted to offensive line coach, with Luke taking his old position. Trooper Taylor takes over as receivers coach after two years in Roper's new job. The defensive staff returns intact, but with a greater shortage of experienced performers. Defensive coordinator John Chavis lost all but one of the starters from a front seven that stood out as one of the finest rushing defenses in the nation last season.

The lone returnee for Chavis up front is defensive tackle Justin Harrell, who passed up early entry to the NFL. Harrell, who has played left defensive tackle, is expected to move one slot over to the spot Jesse Mahelona filled admirably for the past two years. Turk McBride is penciled in as the other defensive tackle. Richlands native Mike McGlothlin is among those making a case for playing time. At end, Xavier Mitchell, Antonio Reynolds and Robert Ayers are the most experienced returning players, but a newcomer will provide an immediate challenge. Walter Fisher, a junior college standout who was the highest-rated player in UT's recruiting class, already has enrolled and will be part of the spring practice session. All three linebacker positions are open to competition. Right now, Jerod Mayo, Marvin Mitchell and Rico McCoy appear to have the inside track at taking the starting jobs. Mayo and McCoy, however, are coming off surgeries and either will see very limited contact or sit out the spring altogether. Ryan Karl also is a factor.

After two years of uncertainty, the defensive backfield suddenly finds itself flush with experience. Both starting safeties, Jonathan Hefney and Antwan Stewart, return. Inky Johnson, who filled in admirably for Jason Allen after his hip injury, is back at one corner. Roshaun Fellows and Jonathan Wade are slated at the other cornerback spot, after battling for playing time there all last season. The X factor is safety Demetrice Morley, a highly touted prospect who saw significant playing time last fall as a true freshman. Should Morley impress, it wouldn't be unheard of for him to become a starting safety. Then, either Hefney or Stewart - both of whom are converted cornerbacks - could move back to their old position. While the defense has a lack of experience, the problems facing the offense are more complex. Cutcliffe must blend an unseasoned group on the line with a contingent of skill performers coming off a collectively dismal season. UT finished last season ranked 101st in scoring out of 117 Division I-A programs, despite returning a veteran corps from 2004's 10-win team. Quarterback Erik Ainge embodies the rise and fall in fortunes of Tennessee in the past year. Ainge threw 17 touchdowns as a freshman, more than any rookie in school history, but has not been the same since a separated shoulder cut that season short.

Meanwhile, this spring will give onlookers their first real glimpse of Jonathan Crompton, the ballyhooed recruit who redshirted last year with a shoulder problem.  Arian Foster might be the heir apparent at tailback for the Vols, but he'll be sitting out the spring. So will Montario Hardesty, still recuperating from ACL surgery. That leaves career backup David Yancey as the most experienced hand in the backfield. It also might mean more carries for fullbacks Cory Anderson and David Holbert, who both return. Some unfamiliar faces will be clearing the way for whoever carries the ball. Arron Sears is the lone returnee on the first-team offensive line. David Ligon seems to be the pick at center for now, with Eric Young sliding at the other tackle. Anthony Parker and Ramon Foster each got experience last season, but several redshirt freshmen eagerly await their shot at playing time as well. Of the youngsters, Chris Scott might be the best of the bunch. Seniors Robert Meachem and Jayson Swain and junior Bret Smith return as the linchpins of the receiver corps. Considering the forgettable numbers from last season, though, younger wideouts like Josh Briscoe and Austin Rogers could challenge the old guard. There's also Lucas Taylor, who is expected to continue returning punts - provided he can cure the fumbling problem that plagued him last season. Taylor's difficulty holding onto the ball was just part of the dilemma for the Vol special teams last fall. The return game was stagnant for the most part, while UT kick coverage surrendered two punt returns for scores.

James Wilhoit returns at kicker after an adequate 14 for 19 performance on field goal tries. Britton Colquitt, who has a great leg but struggled on directional kicks, is back at punter.

Other players who will miss some or all of spring drills due to injuries are offensive linemen Josh McNeil and Cameron Mayo, Xavier Mitchell and Jared Hostetter.  J.T. Mapu eventually will figure in the mix at tackle, but he won't be on campus until the fall.  Tennessee's spring game is April 8.