Matt Simms thought it was going to be a breeze. Nick Reveiz spent the whole car ride in full uniform. Eric Gordon had a major case of the butterflies.

At different levels, all of Tennessee's football players have experienced a big game. As a group, they've played in hundreds of them.

Come Saturday night at 6 p.m. when the Vols begin the 2010 season against UT Martin, three true freshmen are expected to take their first snaps of college football - as starters. And Gordon, a redshirt freshman who is bracketed with sophomore Marsalis Teague at corner, hasn't played a down of major college football, either.

Granted the stages have been smaller and the crowds and competition won't compare, but in one way or another, every player on the roster knows what it's like to take that first snap for the first time.

For Simms, his first game as starting at Don Bosco Prep in Franklin Lakes, N.J., stands out for the way it started - and ultimately how it finished.

"We were playing a team called St. Anthony's from Pennsylvania," Simms said. "I threw a screen for a 60-yard touchdown on the first play of the game. I was like, 'Man this is so easy; I should have started last year.' Even though I was behind Mike Teel, who was a great high school and college quarterback for Rutgers.

"So we scored very quickly, but we end up winning only 21-7, so obviously you could see the rest of the game we kind of struggled offensively, including myself. I got crushed on that play, too. Even though I got hit really hard, I threw a touchdown, I was like, 'Man, this is fun, I can't wait.' And then the rest of the game turned into this big grind, just hopefully win the game. Hopefully it's not exactly like that, but a win is a win."

Gordon's first game as starter came his freshman year at Hillsboro High School in Nashville. At 170 pounds, he was just concerned with ending the game in one piece.

"(On defense) I remember not wanting to let my man catch the ball," Gordon said. "I didn't want to get tackled. I was trying to move as fast as I could. I was real nervous out there. (The nerves came from) just being a smaller guy, being around a lot of bigger guys. As a freshman, I was like 170 pounds. There were a lot of bigger guys around. I knew if one of those guys hit me, I probably could get seriously injured. (On offense) I just tried not to get tackled."

In one of his first big games, Reveiz was trying not to hit someone - in this case, a referee who ruled him down shy of the goal line in overtime.

"I was maybe 9 years old," Reveiz said. "We were playing Karns, and I was playing for CBFO, which was the Farragut youth group. Fullback was my position back then. I thought I scored a touchdown, and the ref said I was down. I was so mad about it. I wanted to go punch the ref. I was like 9 years old. I wanted to physically harm the ref. I remember crying in the car on the way home.

"I was an intense kid for sure, but I've always loved the game."

So intense, that for his entire first season of football, he would dress at home and ride 30 minutes to the game in full uniform.

"I would put all my pads on. I'd put my helmet on, buckle my chinstrap and put my mouthpiece," Reveiz said. "Our house was like 30 minutes away from John Tarleton (Field, in Knoxville), but I'd ride the whole way there like that."

For Reveiz, that was 14-odd years ago. Every year, he's played big games. So have Simms, Gordon and everyone else on the roster.

Saturday will be different, sure. But in many ways, some big, some small, it will be more of the same.

"A lot of us have been doing this our whole lives," Reveiz said. "Of course it's not to the scale of UT, but I think a lot of people harp a lot on, 'Oh, this guy hasn't started before, this guy hasn't done that.' There's a lot of pressure, a lot of high expectations in practice, let alone big games guys have played in high school. It can't compare to UT, but these guys have been in those situations.

"I'm not as much worried about how our guys will react when they get out there because, again, they've been in big situations. They know what to do. They've been preparing hard. This coaching staff's done a great job preparing us."

As much as anyone, quarterback Matt Simms wants to see the Vols' offense get off to a good start Saturday against UT Martin. But a strong start doesn't have to be a big play.

There's just as much - and perhaps more - to be gained from a lengthy drive that produces points than a highlight reel play.

"Definitely, a 60-yard touchdown pass is very demoralizing to a defense, but I think the 80-yard drive where you're just chipping away each time, I think that kind of takes a chunk out of the defense's heart," Simms said. "You're not making huge plays, but you're constantly moving the ball, and it's almost like a helpless feeling. It's the same thing for an offense when you go three-and-out, you just kind of get that helpless feeling like, 'I wish we could have done that a little bit better.'

"I'd have to say if we started off the game with a long drive and just wore them down a little bit, established our run game, I'd be very happy."

Happy is what the Vols are hoping to feel against Martin.

But if the game doesn't start that way or if it turns into a grind against Martin, it's not a lost cause either.

Simms says that even if the Vols happen to start slowly against the Skyhawks, there will be lessons to learned from that as well.

"It would be very nice to start off like that, to start fast, but at the same time if it doesn't, we have to grow up and mature very quickly," Simms said. "Learning that lesson would almost be as good as starting fast. Either way it goes in the game, we just have to stay focused, stay disciplined and not worry about trying to impress the fans or anything else because it's supposedly a weaker opponent. Our job is to go out there and perform and win the game."

When Justin Hunter was on the field during fall camp, he did plenty to impress his teammates and coaches.

The freshman receiver did the same on Tuesday, his first day back after having been held out of practice since Aug. 19 while the NCAA double-checked his academic eligibility.

"He did good," senior receiver Gerald Jones said. "I told him I thought he was going a lose a step. It's hard when you don't catch balls for about four or five days to a week. But he caught the ball well. I don't know assignment-wise how he did, but he looked good out there."

That was a consistent theme, even as Hunter had to miss practices along the way.

"We had no control over the situation," UT coach Derek Dooley said. "It's always a lesson that you can't worry about things you can't control. He was a little bit hurting in the foot, so we took it as an opportunity to triple the treatment. You just find, how can I turn this into a positive? He did great."

Hunter is listed behind Denarius Moore on the depth chart at receiver, but Dooley said Hunter will be ready for Saturday's 6 p.m. season-opener against UT Martin. Just how much he'll play remains to be seen.

But Hunter, who has great speed and a 6-foot-4 frame, could be a huge addition for the Vols this fall. That much isn't lost on Jones.

"He needs to play so he can help us now," Jones said. "Definitely Justin Hunter is one of those guys who can help us right away. So to have him out here and have everything taken care of, it's a big relief."

Once upon a time, Gerald Williams wasn't crazy about moving from linebacker to defensive end. This time, though, the senior is taking another position change - part time, at least - in stride.

Williams is listed as the starter at defensive tackle heading into Saturday's 6 p.m. kickoff against UT Martin in Neyland Stadium.

And, according to teammates, he's happy to help wherever he's needed.

"He's done well in there, and he loves playing in there," senior end Chris Walker said Monday. "He just said he wants to do what's best for the team, and he knows getting him on the field along with Montori (Hughes), me and Malik (Jackson), that helps us out a lot. He's a team player for that."

The Vols can certainly use his help.

Last season, Williams had 15 tackles, including two for a loss. He started UT's first two games at end against Western Kentucky and UCLA, before moving into a backup role.

During fall camp, though, he looked to be in position to start more than two games at end. Coach Derek Dooley frequently praised Williams for his production in scrimmages.

And he'll still get some work at end this fall.

"He's been great," Dooley said. "Gerald wants to play, and he's going to play end, too. He's still going to play end. He's going to be kind of one of those back-and-forth guys like (freshman) Corey Miller. He'll probably be the other guy that moves back and forth."

Playing inside and out has been done before at Tennessee, where future NFL players Turk McBride and Robert Ayers double-dipped at times during their careers. Ayers was used more in pass-rush situations at tackle, while McBride's move was more full-time.

But the fact it's been done before, and done successfully, doesn't mean it's ideal.

Dooley acknowledged on Monday that Williams is more effective as an end. But the emergence of Southern California transfer Malik Jackson at end and the progression of young guys like Miller, Jacques Smith and Willie Bohannon means there are more options there. Simply put, it's a numbers game.

"We have a lot of depth and experience at defense end, and so we find ourselves with five or six defense ends who we're not afraid to put in the game and yet only a couple of tackles who consistently performed to where we feel comfortable with them," Dooley said. "So it's just a big-picture philosophy, put a better guy in, put a better player in. Will Gerald be a better tackle than he will an end? No. But he'll be better playing probably than the next defensive tackle. What it's really going to amount to is more of a committee on the d-line."

Williams has been working inside for parts of the last two weeks or so, and the reviews have been good so far. That alone speaks volumes, considering Williams weighs in at 250 pounds, which is much, much lighter than a true tackle.

But Dooley doesn't seem too concerned about that. Asked Monday the last time he'd seen a defensive tackle at 250 pounds, Dooley didn't blink.

"I think we had one at Clarke Central when I was in high school," Dooley said, referring to the Athens, Ga., high school where he played alongside defensive line coach Chuck Smith. "But you know if you're not big, you've got to be quick and smart. So it's OK."

This time around, it's OK with Williams, too.

Welcome to 'In the Huddle,' a new feature here on the blog at UTSports.com. Every Monday during football season, we'll bring you top-flight insight and analysis from some people who know what's what.

This week, Volquest.com senior writer John Brice, Sports 180 host Josh Ward and I break down fall camp, look at the most improved players since spring and tell you who we'll have our eyes on Saturday against UT Martin.

Your voice matters, too, so leave your comments below. As long as you keep them above-the-belt and fit for moms and grandmas, we'll post them.

On to the Huddle: 

Josh Ward

It feels good to wake up and know that it's game week in Knoxville.

Here are five observations I made during UT's fall camp:

Leaders are emerging

There was concern when veterans like Eric Berry and Montario Hardesty departed during the offseason. With another coaching change, it was critical for new players to take charge and lead a team looking for guidance. Seniors Nick Reveiz, Chris Walker and Luke Stocker did just that. Walker called it the closest offseason he's experienced at UT since he arrived in 2007. That should help the Vols grow together on the field as well.

Poole gets his chance

Most people would have understood if Tauren Poole decided to leave UT when he wasn't playing last year.  But the junior tailback decided to stick it out in Knoxville, and he's been rewarded with a starting position in the backfield. Poole emerged as a playmaker and natural leader (there's another one) during spring practice. He has the size (5-11, 213) and attitude UT is looking for to carry the load in the Vols running game. He'll have help, too, most notably from sophomore tailback David Oku.

It feels good to wake up and know that it's game week in Knoxville.

Here are five observations I made during UT's fall camp:

Leaders are emerging

There was concern when veterans like Eric Berry and Montario Hardesty departed during the offseason. With another coaching change, it was critical for new players to take charge and lead a team looking for guidance. Seniors Nick Reveiz, Chris Walker and Luke Stocker did just that. Walker called it the closest offseason he's experienced at UT since he arrived in 2007. That should help the Vols grow together on the field as well.

Poole gets his chance

Most people would have understood if Tauren Poole decided to leave UT when he wasn't playing last year.  But the junior tailback decided to stick it out in Knoxville, and he's been rewarded with a starting position in the backfield. Poole emerged as a playmaker and natural leader (there's another one) during spring practice. He has the size (5-11, 213) and attitude UT is looking for to carry the load in the Vols running game. He'll have help, too, most notably from sophomore tailback David Oku.

Reveiz is back and ready

Reveiz's leadership has already been mentioned, but his play on the field is crucial for UT's defense. UT allowed only 67 rushing yards per game in the first four games with Reveiz last season. Without Reveiz, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Ohio on Sept. 26, the Vols gave up 177 yards per game on the ground. UT is deep at linebacker, but Reveiz is the player that makes the unit go. Reveiz declared himself 100 percent during the offseason. That's probably the best news UT heard all summer.

Young talent is on campus

True freshmen like Ja'Wuan James at right tackle, Corey Miller and Jacques Smith at defensive end and Da'Rick Rogers at wide receiver should help UT right away. Throw in redshirt freshmen JerQuari Schofield at left guard and Eric Gordon at cornerback, and it's clear UT has plenty of young talent. The Vols are hoping that freshman receiver Justin Hunter will be cleared to play by the NCAA. He could be the best of this group.

The offensive line is developing

Fans are concerned about the offensive line, and rightfully so. But it's a group that improved during the fall and should do the same during the season. James and Schofield could be All-SEC players in the future. Left tackle Dallas Thomas should be solid, and veterans Jarrod Shaw and Cody Pope have shown the leadership necessary to hold the unit together. Freshmen Zach Fulton, James Stone and Marques Pair have given the coaching staff reasons to feel good about the future.

Most Improved: David Oku. He was too light at 177 pounds last year. Now, Oku is 198 pounds and more prepared to help UT on offense. He joked that he lost a step because he's too "fat," but I don't buy it.

Player to Watch: Montori Hughes. You'll hear more about him this year. The sophomore defensive tackle might be UT's most important defensive player because of the Vols' lack of depth at his position. Hughes needs to play well, and he needs to do it consistently.

Josh Ward is co-host of Sports 180 on The Sports Animal in Knoxville. You can listen online at sportsanimal99.com and follow Josh on Twitter @Josh_Ward.

Tennessee began fall camp with a lot to prove and a lot to replace.

Getting five new offensive linemen ready to take on starting roles was probably the biggest task, but there's been nice progress throughout fall camp. The constant improvement has been impressive, and I think you're seeing the foundation being built for a group that could be very, very good in the future. Victor Thomas, who began fall camp at center, moving back to defense is a good sign that coaches feel good about the personnel. He'll see some snaps at tackle, where beyond Montori Hughes, the position is still a concern, but Chuck Smith is doing a great job with the players he has.

Depth was and will continue to be a big issue this fall. It's simply impossible to endure the kind of attrition and turnover that's occurred the last two years without feeling the effects. The Vols are short at least 13 scholarship players - and that quickly grows to more than 16 when you take into account guys who are injured. There's no quick fix, but fall camp was a big step in the right direction for a lot of players. Guys like Brent Brewer, James Stone, Jacques Smith, Corey Miller and a few other newcomers have gone a long way toward proving they can contribute.

At the end of every fall camp, I'm almost always more optimistic about a team. It's a natural reaction to seeing the same players go against each other for so long. That said, there's a vibe about this team, and there are some fantastic leaders - Chris Walker, Nick Reveiz, Tauren Poole (more on him in a minute), Luke Stocker, Matt Simms and others, I'm sure.

Which brings me to the biggest thing I think the Vols have accomplished since spring, and that's investing in new leadership.

Derek Dooley has done a really nice job getting this team to buy into his vision for the program. One player told me he's the most demanding coach he's ever played for, but that he respects him so much because he's fair. That's a fine line to walk for some, but Dooley has done a lot to gain the trust of his players. And it's been by his actions, not by his words. For all the accolades and attention given to last year's staff (and it was certainly justified), I think the Vols still have one of the best coaching staffs in the nation. Strength coach Bennie Wylie has been an incredible addition. Players rave about him, and that's saying something considering how hard he pushes them during workouts.

There's still a lot to overcome, starting with a pretty difficult schedule out of the gate. We'll start to see how everything translates into on-the-field results starting this weekend, but there's an energy and a toughness about this team that I think Tennessee fans will appreciate.

Most Improved: You can easily make the case for Eric Gordon here - and in fact John Brice does - but I'm going with David Oku. You'll see him on kickoff returns like last year, but he'll get more carries, too. He's bigger than last year, which is a positive step considering how tough it can be to make it week-to-week in this league.

Oku's attitude is impressive, too. He never conceded the starting job to Poole, but he's taken an approach that he'll take whatever role he's given. That's a product of the example set by a guy like Montario Hardesty, who waited his turn and had tremendous success. We'll see how Oku fares over the course of the season, but he's developing into a major contributor.

Player to Watch: One of the players I'm most anxious to see perform under the lights is Tauren Poole. And that's not because I have any doubts about his abilities. He's one of the most positive people you'll ever meet, and most people around the team last year felt like he deserved to play a lot sooner.

He runs tough, and his teammates respect him. He's been a gamer in every scrimmage at the stadium, whether he was going against the best or the rest. As some of his teammates said, he runs angry. And I can't wait to see it.

Drew Edwards is assistant director of Internet communications for the University of Tennessee athletic department. He spent 3 ½ years covering Tennessee football for the Knoxville News Sentinel and nine years as a newspaper journalist. He also appears as a panelist on 'The Derek Dooley Show.'