Kiffin Coaches Football Too

Tennessee hired Lane Kiffin as its 21st head football coach on Dec. 1, 2008. The Vols new coach--the youngest head coach in FBS and one of 11 in college football with NFL head coaching experience--will finally coach a game after an offseason spent raising the profile of Tennessee football.

Healthy Hardesty Emerges From Crowded Backfield

Tennessee enters the 2009 season with four healthy scholarship running backs and only room for three in Lane Kiffin's offensive rotation. Senior Montario Hardesty made sure he had the first of those spots during fall camp, emerging early on as the Vols top back.

The senior from New Bern, N.C. has rushed for 1,046 career yards and worked primarily as a goal-line back last season, scoring six touchdowns. Hardesty is injury-free for the first time in his college career and hoping for a breakout senior season.

Crompton Gets The Call at QB

Lane Kiffin named Jonathan Crompton his starting quarterback three weeks into fall camp, and the senior from Waynesville, N.C. is intent on making the most of a second chance under center after losing his job to backup Nick Stephens after four games last season.

Crompton has played under four different offensive coordinators in his five seasons on Rocky Top, performing his best under David Cutcliffe in a brief starting stint in place of an injured Erik Ainge in 2006. His best effort in 2008 was a 240-yard, two touchdown game vs. UAB early in the season.

Sullins Wins Starting Job at Center

The clearest proof of Lane Kiffin's every-position-isalways- up-for-grabs philosophy is that senior center and former walk-on Cody Sullins beat out Josh McNeil, a three-year starter with a 35-game start streak, for the right to play the first offensive snap vs. Western Kentucky.

Sullins is has lettered in each of the last two seasons and was put on scholarship by former head coach Phillip Fulmer prior to the 2008 season. He has played in just five career games and never previously started.

McNeil is a former Freshman All-America and honorable mention All-SEC selection, but battled injuries throughout fall camp.

Stocker Wins Tight End Battle

One position that did not go through its fair share of offseason fluctuation was tight end, where two seasoned veterans return for 2009. Senior Jeff Cottam (35 career games) and junior Luke Stocker (2008 starter) battled throughout camp with Stocker eventually winning the job.

The two have combined for 21 career catches for 169 yards, but both will see significant time in 2009 thanks to their experience and blocking prowess.

Youth Should Equal Depth at Tailback

While Montario Hardesty clearly set himself apart from Tennessee's younger running backs in fall camp, the Vols have a sophomore and two true freshmen who will all see the field in 2009. Tauren Poole returns with a 3.9 yardsper- carry average from limited action last season and has been elusive throughout fall camp.

Joining Poole are two of the nation's top running back recruits in Bryce Brown and David Oku. Brown has worked with the first team in camp and Oku will at least see kick return duty.

Injuries Present Opportunity at WR

Injuries to three of Tennessee's top returning wide receivers presented ample opportunity for incoming freshmen and position transfers to make their mark during fall camp.

Injuries to Austin Rogers (leg--season) and Denarius Moore (foot--2-4 weeks) and Gerald Jones (ankle--3-6 weeks) mean Quintin Hancock and Brandon Warren and will carry the pass-catching load among returning players. Hancock did not catch a pass in 2008 and Warren moved from tight end during spring practice. Tennessee will have a total of 279 career receiving yards in its wideout corps for the Western Kentucky game.

Newcomers that took advantage of an opportunity during camp include Nu'Keese Richardson and Marsalis Teague who worked themselves onto the two-deep depth chart.

Experience Makes Safety a Strength

All-America safety Eric Berry is the unquestioned star of the UT secondary, and he has a mixed bag of experience and youth around him. The Vols return one other starter in Dennis Rogan and several experienced backups from the 2008 unit that helped Tennessee finish fourth in the nation in pass defense and tied for 20th interceptions. Rogan has moved to free safety after starting 10 games at right corner last season.

Marsalous Johnson also returns with three years experience and nine career starts, likely to play in the nickel packages.

Brent Vinson, a starter in 2007, also returns but has battled injuries throughout fall camp.

Three other Vols expected to see their first significant playing time are corners Art Evans and Anthony Anderson along with safety Prentiss Waggner. Three newcomers will also see action in corner Mike Edwards and safeties Darren Myles, Jr. and Janzen Jackson.

Berry, Rogan and Johnson combined for 136 tackles, eight interceptions and 14 passes defensed last season.