2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team
Encyclopedia
The 2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team (variously "Tennessee" or "UT" or the "Vols") represented the University of Tennessee
in the college football
season of 2008–2009. The team was coached by head football coach Phillip Fulmer
, in his 16th and final season as head coach. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium
and competed in the Eastern Division of the SEC
. This 2008 campaign followed of a 10–4 2007 season
, which saw the Vols win the Eastern Division of the conference and the Outback Bowl
. This season marks the ten year anniversary of Tennessee's 1998 BCS National Championship.
On November 3, Fulmer announced that, after winning some 150 games over his career, he will step down from coaching his alma mater at the end of the season..
and Scout.com.. The top players of the class are considered to be tight end Aaron Douglas out of Maryville, Tennessee
and wide receiver/linebacker E.J. Abrams-Ward out of Thomasville, North Carolina
..
Tennessee lost 4 members of their offensive staff. Offensive Coordinator David Cutcliffe
accepted the Head Coaching position at Duke
. Cutcliffe took along OL/TE coach Matt Luke, and RB coach Kurt Roper. Roper will join the Blue Devils' staff as Offensive Coordinator. WR coach Trooper Taylor
also left the Vols for a coordinator position, accepting a job as Co-Offensive Coordinator at Oklahoma State.
Cutcliffe was replaced by Dave Clawson
, who comes to Tennessee from the University of Richmond
where he was the head coach. Joining Clawson from Richmond is Latrell Scott, who will replace Taylor as the wide receivers coach. Stan Drayton, formerly the running backs coach at Florida
, was hired to replace Roper as the running backs coach. Jason Michael, formerly on the staff for the New York Jets
, was hired to coach the tight ends, replacing Matt Luke.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons
but chose to stay at Tennessee. This decision followed a similar decision by defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell. In December 2007 Caldwell chose to stay with Tennessee and turned down an offer to be the Defensive Coordinator at Arkansas
.
. Morley was a five star recruit out of Miami, Florida
who played for the Vols in 2005 and 2006
before being dismissed from the football team and leaving school for academic reasons. After sitting out the 2007 season
, Morley was readmitted to the University in January 2008 and will rejoin the team. Morley told the media that he had been living in his car following his dismissal from the team, but that the birth of his son motivated him to return.
Another defensive back, Antonio Gaines, was awarded a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA in February. Gaines had missed the majority of both the 2003 and 2007 seasons due to injuries.
The Vols are also welcoming two major transfer student athletes. Gerald Williams, who originally signed with Tennessee in 2005 has been cleared to join the team after spending finishing up at San Francisco Junior College. Brandon Warren, a Freshmen All American at Florida State has been cleared to play by the NCAA.
. The first incident of the offeseason occurred during a recruiting weekend. Wide receivers Gerald Jones and Ahmad Paige were cited for a misdemeanor
possession of marijuana while hosting a recruit Neither were suspended, but both were required to undertake more frequent drug testing and participate in a police ride along program.
Another incident involved redshirt freshman running back Daryl Vereen. Vereen was arrested and charged with public intoxication and underage consumption after an on campus fight. Vereen was required to perform community service and will be under a semester-long curfew. Fulmer also required the entire team to attend 6 A.M. running as punishment for the offense.
Offensive lineman Anthony Parker was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct
in January. Parker's punishment included morning runs, curfew
, community service
and the police ride along program. Parker was charged after failing to obey the commands of a Knoxville police officer
with whom he had previous run-ins. This incident was followed by the arrest of incoming walk-on Vincent Faison for DUI
. Faison was suspended for two games.
In February, linebacker Dorian Davis and defensive back Antonio Wardlow were dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules. The most recent incident of the offseason involved decorated punter Britton Colquitt. Colquitt was suspended for five games after being arrested and charge with both DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. Colquitt also had his scholarship revoked.
Offensive Scheme: Multiple
Wide Receivers: Latrell Scott
Offensive Line: Greg Atkins
Running Backs: Stan Drayton
Tight Ends: Jason Michael
Head Coach Phillip Fulmer hired Dave Clawson
, formerly the head coach at the University of Richmond
, to replace David Cutcliffe
as Offensive Coordinator. Greg Atkins (Offensive Line) is the only returning coach on the offensive staff. Joining him are newly hired assistants Stan Drayton (Running Backs), Jason Michael, and Latrell Scott (wide receivers).
Quarterbacks
The Vols must replace graduate Erik Ainge
, a 5th round selection of the NY Jets in the 2008 NFL Draft
. The leading candidates are Jonathan Crompton
, who started one game as an injury replacement for Ainge in 2006, redshirt freshman BJ Coleman and redshirt sophomore Nick Stephens. After spring practices, Crompton had minor elbow surgery but should be ready for the season opener and all reports are that Crompton will be the starting quarterback.
Running backs
Arian Foster
saw the majority of time at tailback last season, with relief appearances by LaMarcus Coker
, Montario Hardesty, and Lennon Creer. Coker was eventually dismissed from the team following the South Carolina game for a violation of team rules. Foster finished the season with 1193 rushing yards and 12 TDs. Foster, Hardesty and Creer all return and look to see significant time in the backfield. Looking to work his way into the rotation will be Daryl Vereen, a highly touted redshirt freshman. The fullback position may also be used more under Clawson. The starter was supposed to be David Holbert, but he has suffered another ACL injury and is out for the year. To honor Holbert, Arian Foster will wear Holbert's #30 jersey in the season opener at UCLA. With the injury to Holbert, sophomore Kevin Cooper looks to be the starter but true freshman Austin Johnson, who just recently moved from linebacker to fullback, will also compete for playing time.
Receivers
The Wide Receivers were led by Lucas Taylor and Austin Rogers last season. Taylor had 73 receptions for 1000 yards while Rogers caught 56 passes for 624 yards. Both return for their senior season in 2008. Joining them will be Senior Josh Briscoe, Junior Quintin Hancock, Sophomores Gerald Jones, who many said was the star of the spring and will also see time at Quarterback, Denarius Moore, and redshirt freshman Ahmad Paige.
Offensive line
The offensive line returns the entire starting group from late in the 2007 season. The line was shuffled after an injury to Eric Young. Josh McNeil will anchor the line at center, with guards Anthony Parker and Jacques McClendon. Ramon Foster and Chris Scott will be the starters at tackle. This line allowed only 4 sacks during the 2007 season. Many experts predict Anthony Parker to be a First team All-American and for this unit to be the strongest in the SEC.
Tight Ends
The Tight End position is up in the air following the losses of Chris Brown and Brad Cottam. Brad's brother Jeff Cottam and Luke Stocker are the leading candidates for the starting job. Because of the depth issues at tight end, offensive lineman Cody Pope was moved to play the position
----
Current starters (as of 2008-10-06)
Base Defense: Multiple (4–3 and 3–2–6 "Mustang")
Defensive Line: Dan Brooks
Defensive Ends: Steve Caldwell
Defensive Backs: Larry Slade
----
Position Outlook
Coaches
2008 will be the 14th season as Defensive Coordinator for John Chavis. The Defensive staff had been together and unchanged since the 1999 Season, with Dan Brooks, Steve Caldwell and Larry Slade.
Defensive Line
On the Defensive Line, the Vols must replace two starters at end. Senior Robert Ayers and Junior Wes Brown are the leading candidates at those two spots. Tackles Dan Williams and DeMonte Bolden return after starting for the majority of the 2007 season. Providing depth will be tackles Walter Fisher, Chase Nelson, Donald Langley and Victor Thomas along with ends Ben Martin, Andre Mathis, and Chris Walker.
Linebackers
The Vols replace two starters in the linebacker corps. Junior Rico McCoy returns to man one of the outside spots. Ellix Wilson, who started the 2008 Outback Bowl
at the middle linebacker looks to earn that job for the 2008 season. The other outside spot is up in the air, with Nevin McKenzie seeing the most time there the previous year.
Defensive Backs
The Defensive Backfield saw a slew of injuries and changes in 2007, but looks to be much more stable and seasoned in 2008. The Vols must replace departing safety Jonathan Hefney
. Sophomores Eric Berry
(SS), Brent Vinson and DeAngelo Willingham (Cornerbacks) should return to their spots with special teams phenom, Dennis Rogan expected to see plenty of snaps at both cornerback and safety. SS Demetrice Morley was reinstated in school after academic trouble caused him to miss the 2007 season. He is the leading candidate at the vacant free safety spot. It has also been stated during the off season that Eric Berry
could see time on the offensive side of the ball, as he has lined up at quarterback multiple times during spring practice.
----
Projected starters (Note: Does not include incoming Freshmen).
Sophomore Daniel Lincoln (kicker) replaced departing Senior James Wilhoit
in 2007 and earned All American Honors. Britton Colquitt returns as punter and will handle kickoffs. Sophomores Dennis Rogan emerged as the main kick and punt returner last, with Lennon Creer joining him as kick returner. Both players return.
----
Projected starters (Note: Does not include incoming Freshmen).
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
in the college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
season of 2008–2009. The team was coached by head football coach Phillip Fulmer
Phillip Fulmer
Phillip Fulmer is a TV college football analyst and the former head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers football team, who compiled a 152–52 record from 1992–2008 as head coach, but was fired during a 5–7 season in 2008...
, in his 16th and final season as head coach. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium
Neyland Stadium
Neyland Stadium is a sports stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. It serves primarily as the home of the Tennessee Volunteers football team, but is also used to host large conventions and has been a site for several NFL exhibition games. The stadium's official capacity is 102,455...
and competed in the Eastern Division of the SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
. This 2008 campaign followed of a 10–4 2007 season
2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2007–2008. They won the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference before falling to the eventual national champion LSU Tigers in the SEC Championship Game...
, which saw the Vols win the Eastern Division of the conference and the Outback Bowl
Outback Bowl
The Outback Bowl is an annual New Year's Day college football bowl game played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The event was originally called the Hall of Fame Bowl from 1986 to 1994 until being renamed in 1995 for its new title sponsor, Outback Steakhouse...
. This season marks the ten year anniversary of Tennessee's 1998 BCS National Championship.
On November 3, Fulmer announced that, after winning some 150 games over his career, he will step down from coaching his alma mater at the end of the season..
Recruiting
The Vols followed last years top 5 class with an effort that found the team ranked outside of the top 25 by both major recruiting websites, Rivals.comRivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
and Scout.com.. The top players of the class are considered to be tight end Aaron Douglas out of Maryville, Tennessee
Maryville, Tennessee
Maryville is the county seat of Blount County, Tennessee, in the Southeastern United States. The city is located south of Knoxville. Maryville's population was 27,258 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Knoxville Metropolitan Area. Maryville has received a number of accolades for its...
and wide receiver/linebacker E.J. Abrams-Ward out of Thomasville, North Carolina
Thomasville, North Carolina
Thomasville is a city in Davidson County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 21,354 at the 2010 census. The city is notable for its furniture industry as are its neighbors of High Point and Lexington. This Piedmont Triad community was established in 1852 and hosts the state's...
..
Coaching changes
David Cutcliffe
David Cutcliffe is the head football coach of the Duke University Blue Devils. He is best known for coaching Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning at the University of Tennessee, and Manning's younger brother and fellow Super Bowl Champion Eli at the University of Mississippi...
accepted the Head Coaching position at Duke
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
. Cutcliffe took along OL/TE coach Matt Luke, and RB coach Kurt Roper. Roper will join the Blue Devils' staff as Offensive Coordinator. WR coach Trooper Taylor
Trooper Taylor
Trooper Taylor is an American college football assistant coach at Auburn University, serving as assistant head coach and wide receivers coach under head coach Gene Chizik. Prior to joining Auburn, Taylor served as co-offensive coordinator for Oklahoma State...
also left the Vols for a coordinator position, accepting a job as Co-Offensive Coordinator at Oklahoma State.
Cutcliffe was replaced by Dave Clawson
Dave Clawson
Dave Clawson is the head coach of the Bowling Green Falcons college football team. Before joining Bowling Green, Clawson was the short-lived offensive coordinator for the University of Tennessee Volunteers and was the coach at Fordham University and the University of Richmond where he won two Div...
, who comes to Tennessee from the University of Richmond
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
where he was the head coach. Joining Clawson from Richmond is Latrell Scott, who will replace Taylor as the wide receivers coach. Stan Drayton, formerly the running backs coach at Florida
Florida Gators football
The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference...
, was hired to replace Roper as the running backs coach. Jason Michael, formerly on the staff for the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, was hired to coach the tight ends, replacing Matt Luke.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
but chose to stay at Tennessee. This decision followed a similar decision by defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell. In December 2007 Caldwell chose to stay with Tennessee and turned down an offer to be the Defensive Coordinator at Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
.
Player news
Tennessee was bolstered by the return of safety Demetrice MorleyDemetrice Morley
Demetrice Morley is an American football defensive back who has been ousted from the Tennessee Volunteers for "butting heads" with the new coaching staff, especially Ed Orgeron...
. Morley was a five star recruit out of Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
who played for the Vols in 2005 and 2006
2006 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2006 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2006–2007. Tennessee entered the 2006 season coming off an 5–6 record in 2005...
before being dismissed from the football team and leaving school for academic reasons. After sitting out the 2007 season
2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2007–2008. They won the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference before falling to the eventual national champion LSU Tigers in the SEC Championship Game...
, Morley was readmitted to the University in January 2008 and will rejoin the team. Morley told the media that he had been living in his car following his dismissal from the team, but that the birth of his son motivated him to return.
Another defensive back, Antonio Gaines, was awarded a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA in February. Gaines had missed the majority of both the 2003 and 2007 seasons due to injuries.
The Vols are also welcoming two major transfer student athletes. Gerald Williams, who originally signed with Tennessee in 2005 has been cleared to join the team after spending finishing up at San Francisco Junior College. Brandon Warren, a Freshmen All American at Florida State has been cleared to play by the NCAA.
Discipline
The Volunteer football has also seen its share of off of the field issues since the close of the 2007 season2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2007–2008. They won the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference before falling to the eventual national champion LSU Tigers in the SEC Championship Game...
. The first incident of the offeseason occurred during a recruiting weekend. Wide receivers Gerald Jones and Ahmad Paige were cited for a misdemeanor
Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor is a "lesser" criminal act in many common law legal systems. Misdemeanors are generally punished much less severely than felonies, but theoretically more so than administrative infractions and regulatory offences...
possession of marijuana while hosting a recruit Neither were suspended, but both were required to undertake more frequent drug testing and participate in a police ride along program.
Another incident involved redshirt freshman running back Daryl Vereen. Vereen was arrested and charged with public intoxication and underage consumption after an on campus fight. Vereen was required to perform community service and will be under a semester-long curfew. Fulmer also required the entire team to attend 6 A.M. running as punishment for the offense.
Offensive lineman Anthony Parker was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct
Disorderly conduct
Disorderly conduct is a criminal charge in most jurisdictions in the United States. Typically, disorderly conduct makes it a crime to be drunk in public, to "disturb the peace", or to loiter in certain areas. Many types of unruly conduct may fit the definition of disorderly conduct, as such...
in January. Parker's punishment included morning runs, curfew
Curfew
A curfew is an order specifying a time after which certain regulations apply. Examples:# An order by a government for certain persons to return home daily before a certain time...
, community service
Community service
Community service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
and the police ride along program. Parker was charged after failing to obey the commands of a Knoxville police officer
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
with whom he had previous run-ins. This incident was followed by the arrest of incoming walk-on Vincent Faison for DUI
DUI
DUI is a three letter acronym that may stand for:* Driving under the influence * Democratic Union for Integration — the largest ethnic Albanian party in the Republic of Macedonia* Data Use Identifier...
. Faison was suspended for two games.
In February, linebacker Dorian Davis and defensive back Antonio Wardlow were dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules. The most recent incident of the offseason involved decorated punter Britton Colquitt. Colquitt was suspended for five games after being arrested and charge with both DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. Colquitt also had his scholarship revoked.
Schedule
Offense
Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks: Dave ClawsonDave Clawson
Dave Clawson is the head coach of the Bowling Green Falcons college football team. Before joining Bowling Green, Clawson was the short-lived offensive coordinator for the University of Tennessee Volunteers and was the coach at Fordham University and the University of Richmond where he won two Div...
Offensive Scheme: Multiple
Wide Receivers: Latrell Scott
Offensive Line: Greg Atkins
Running Backs: Stan Drayton
Tight Ends: Jason Michael
Offensive outlook
CoachesHead Coach Phillip Fulmer hired Dave Clawson
Dave Clawson
Dave Clawson is the head coach of the Bowling Green Falcons college football team. Before joining Bowling Green, Clawson was the short-lived offensive coordinator for the University of Tennessee Volunteers and was the coach at Fordham University and the University of Richmond where he won two Div...
, formerly the head coach at the University of Richmond
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
, to replace David Cutcliffe
David Cutcliffe
David Cutcliffe is the head football coach of the Duke University Blue Devils. He is best known for coaching Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning at the University of Tennessee, and Manning's younger brother and fellow Super Bowl Champion Eli at the University of Mississippi...
as Offensive Coordinator. Greg Atkins (Offensive Line) is the only returning coach on the offensive staff. Joining him are newly hired assistants Stan Drayton (Running Backs), Jason Michael, and Latrell Scott (wide receivers).
Quarterbacks
The Vols must replace graduate Erik Ainge
Erik Ainge
Erik Douglas Ainge is a retired American football quarterback formerly of the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, a 5th round selection of the NY Jets in the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
. The leading candidates are Jonathan Crompton
Jonathan Crompton
Jonathan David Crompton is an American football quarterback for the Washington Redskins the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
, who started one game as an injury replacement for Ainge in 2006, redshirt freshman BJ Coleman and redshirt sophomore Nick Stephens. After spring practices, Crompton had minor elbow surgery but should be ready for the season opener and all reports are that Crompton will be the starting quarterback.
Running backs
Arian Foster
Arian Foster
Arian Foster , is an American football running back for the Houston Texans. He was signed by the Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and was added to their active roster from the practice squad on November 17, 2009. He played college football at Tennessee...
saw the majority of time at tailback last season, with relief appearances by LaMarcus Coker
LaMarcus Coker
LaMarcus Darnell Coker is a former college football player for the University of Tennessee and Hampton University who currently plays as a running back for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.-College:...
, Montario Hardesty, and Lennon Creer. Coker was eventually dismissed from the team following the South Carolina game for a violation of team rules. Foster finished the season with 1193 rushing yards and 12 TDs. Foster, Hardesty and Creer all return and look to see significant time in the backfield. Looking to work his way into the rotation will be Daryl Vereen, a highly touted redshirt freshman. The fullback position may also be used more under Clawson. The starter was supposed to be David Holbert, but he has suffered another ACL injury and is out for the year. To honor Holbert, Arian Foster will wear Holbert's #30 jersey in the season opener at UCLA. With the injury to Holbert, sophomore Kevin Cooper looks to be the starter but true freshman Austin Johnson, who just recently moved from linebacker to fullback, will also compete for playing time.
Receivers
The Wide Receivers were led by Lucas Taylor and Austin Rogers last season. Taylor had 73 receptions for 1000 yards while Rogers caught 56 passes for 624 yards. Both return for their senior season in 2008. Joining them will be Senior Josh Briscoe, Junior Quintin Hancock, Sophomores Gerald Jones, who many said was the star of the spring and will also see time at Quarterback, Denarius Moore, and redshirt freshman Ahmad Paige.
Offensive line
The offensive line returns the entire starting group from late in the 2007 season. The line was shuffled after an injury to Eric Young. Josh McNeil will anchor the line at center, with guards Anthony Parker and Jacques McClendon. Ramon Foster and Chris Scott will be the starters at tackle. This line allowed only 4 sacks during the 2007 season. Many experts predict Anthony Parker to be a First team All-American and for this unit to be the strongest in the SEC.
Tight Ends
The Tight End position is up in the air following the losses of Chris Brown and Brad Cottam. Brad's brother Jeff Cottam and Luke Stocker are the leading candidates for the starting job. Because of the depth issues at tight end, offensive lineman Cody Pope was moved to play the position
----
Current starters (as of 2008-10-06)
| Position | Number | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Hometown | Games↑ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
17 | Nick Stephens | 6'4" | 215 lb. | Soph. | Flower Mound, Texas Flower Mound, Texas Flower Mound is a town in Denton and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas, and a suburb of Fort Worth and Dallas. Its population was 50,702 at the U.S. Census Bureau's 2000 census, and 64,669 at the 2010 Census. The town derives its name from the prominent mound located in the southern... |
1 |
| TB Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
27 | * Arian Foster Arian Foster Arian Foster , is an American football running back for the Houston Texans. He was signed by the Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and was added to their active roster from the practice squad on November 17, 2009. He played college football at Tennessee... |
6'1" | 225 lb. | RS-Sr. | San Diego, California San Diego, California San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round... |
5 |
| TE Tight end The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be... |
88 | Luke Stocker | 6'6" | 245 lb. | Soph. | Berea, Kentucky Berea, Kentucky -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 9,851 people, 3,693 households, and 2,426 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,055.4 people per square mile . There were 4,115 housing units at an average density of 440.9 per square mile... |
0 |
| WR Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
12 | * Lucas Taylor | 6'0" | 185 lb. | Sr. | Carencro, Louisiana Carencro, Louisiana Carencro[p] is a small city in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is a suburb of the nearby city of Lafayette. The population was 6,120 at the 2000 census. Its name comes from the Louisiana Creole word for buzzard: the spot was one where large flocks of buzzards roosted in the bald... |
0 |
| WR Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
4 | Gerald Jones | 6'0" | 180 lb. | Soph. | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma... |
0 |
| WR Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
81 | * Josh Briscoe | 6'3" | 183 lb. | Sr. | Lawndale, North Carolina Lawndale, North Carolina Lawndale is a town in Cleveland County, North Carolina, along the First Broad River. The population was 642 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lawndale is located at .... |
0 |
| LT | 78 | * Ramon Foster | 6'6" | 325 lb. | Sr. | Henning, Tennessee Henning, Tennessee Henning is a town in Lauderdale County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 970 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Henning is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.... |
0 |
| LG | 75 | * Anthony Parker | 6'3" | 305 lb. | RS-Sr. | Jonesboro, Georgia Jonesboro, Georgia Jonesboro is a city in Clayton County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,724 as of the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Clayton County.... |
0 |
| C Center (American football) Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense... |
50 | * Josh McNeil | 6'4" | 280 lb. | RS-Jr. | Collins, Mississippi Collins, Mississippi Collins is a city in Covington County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 2,761 at the 2005 census. It is the county seat of Covington County.... |
0 |
| RG | 65 | * Jacques McClendon | 6'3" | 330 lb. | RS-Jr. | Cleveland, Tennessee Cleveland, Tennessee Cleveland is a city in Bradley County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 41,285 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Bradley County... |
0 |
| RT | 79 | * Chris Scott | 6'5" | 325 lb. | So. | Lovejoy, Georgia Lovejoy, Georgia Lovejoy is a city in Clayton County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 2,495. During the American Civil War, it was named Lovejoy's Station, and was the site of the Battle of Lovejoy's Station during the Atlanta Campaign of 1864.During the 2000s,... |
0 |
- * – Denotes returning starter.
- ↑ – Denotes number of games started by the player at the listed position during the 2008 season.
Defense
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers / Associate Head Coach: John Chavis (20th year)Base Defense: Multiple (4–3 and 3–2–6 "Mustang")
Defensive Line: Dan Brooks
Defensive Ends: Steve Caldwell
Defensive Backs: Larry Slade
----
Position Outlook
Coaches
2008 will be the 14th season as Defensive Coordinator for John Chavis. The Defensive staff had been together and unchanged since the 1999 Season, with Dan Brooks, Steve Caldwell and Larry Slade.
Defensive Line
On the Defensive Line, the Vols must replace two starters at end. Senior Robert Ayers and Junior Wes Brown are the leading candidates at those two spots. Tackles Dan Williams and DeMonte Bolden return after starting for the majority of the 2007 season. Providing depth will be tackles Walter Fisher, Chase Nelson, Donald Langley and Victor Thomas along with ends Ben Martin, Andre Mathis, and Chris Walker.
Linebackers
The Vols replace two starters in the linebacker corps. Junior Rico McCoy returns to man one of the outside spots. Ellix Wilson, who started the 2008 Outback Bowl
Outback Bowl
The Outback Bowl is an annual New Year's Day college football bowl game played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The event was originally called the Hall of Fame Bowl from 1986 to 1994 until being renamed in 1995 for its new title sponsor, Outback Steakhouse...
at the middle linebacker looks to earn that job for the 2008 season. The other outside spot is up in the air, with Nevin McKenzie seeing the most time there the previous year.
Defensive Backs
The Defensive Backfield saw a slew of injuries and changes in 2007, but looks to be much more stable and seasoned in 2008. The Vols must replace departing safety Jonathan Hefney
Jonathan Hefney
Jonathan Jerrod Hefney is a Canadian Football Defensive Back who is currently playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
. Sophomores Eric Berry
Eric Berry
James Eric Berry , nicknamed "The Fifth Dimension" is an American football safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted 5th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-High school career:Berry played at Creekside High School in...
(SS), Brent Vinson and DeAngelo Willingham (Cornerbacks) should return to their spots with special teams phenom, Dennis Rogan expected to see plenty of snaps at both cornerback and safety. SS Demetrice Morley was reinstated in school after academic trouble caused him to miss the 2007 season. He is the leading candidate at the vacant free safety spot. It has also been stated during the off season that Eric Berry
Eric Berry
James Eric Berry , nicknamed "The Fifth Dimension" is an American football safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted 5th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-High school career:Berry played at Creekside High School in...
could see time on the offensive side of the ball, as he has lined up at quarterback multiple times during spring practice.
----
Projected starters (Note: Does not include incoming Freshmen).
| Position | Number | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Hometown | Games↑ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LE Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
91 | Robert Ayers | 6'3" | 260 lb. | RS-Sr. | Clio, South Carolina Clio, South Carolina Clio is a town in Marlboro County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 774 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Clio is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land... |
0 |
| LT | 55 | * Dan Williams | 6'2" | 310 lb. | RS-Jr. | Memphis, Tennessee Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers.... |
0 |
| RT | 98 | * Demonté Bolden | 6'6" | 290 lb. | Sr. | Chattanooga, Tennessee Chattanooga, Tennessee Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County... |
0 |
| RE Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
94 | Wes Brown | 6'3" | 270 lb. | RS-Jr. | Athens, Alabama Athens, Alabama Athens is a city in Limestone County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 18,967. According to the 2009 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 24,234... |
0 |
| SLB Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
20 | Nevin McKenzie | 6'2" | 210 lb. | Sr. | San Antonio, Texas San Antonio, Texas San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,... |
0 |
| MLB Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
35 | Ellix Wilson | 5'10" | 225 lb. | RS-Jr. | Memphis, Tennessee Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers.... |
0 |
| WLB Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
5 | * Rico McCoy | 6'1" | 215 lb. | Jr. | Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution.... |
0 |
| RCB Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
24 | * DeAngelo Willingham | 6'0" | 200 lb. | Sr. | Palm Desert, CA | 0 |
| LCB Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
13 | * Brent Vinson | 6'2" | 180 lb. | So. | Hampton, Virginia Hampton, Virginia Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts... |
0 |
| FS | 7 | Demetrice Morley Demetrice Morley Demetrice Morley is an American football defensive back who has been ousted from the Tennessee Volunteers for "butting heads" with the new coaching staff, especially Ed Orgeron... |
6'2" | 195 lb. | RS-Jr. | Miami, Florida Miami, Florida Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625... |
0 |
| SS | 14 | * Eric Berry Eric Berry James Eric Berry , nicknamed "The Fifth Dimension" is an American football safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted 5th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-High school career:Berry played at Creekside High School in... |
5'11" | 195 lb. | So. | Fairburn, Georgia Fairburn, Georgia Fairburn is a city in Fulton County, Georgia. The population was 12,950 at the 2010 census.- History :Fairburn is located along a railroad line and was once the county seat for Campbell County, Georgia, starting in 1870... |
0 |
- * – Denotes returning starter
- ↑ – Denotes number of games started by the player at the listed position during the 2008 season.
Special teams
Position OutlookSophomore Daniel Lincoln (kicker) replaced departing Senior James Wilhoit
James Wilhoit
James Howell Wilhoit II was the placekicker for the University of Tennessee football team between 2003 and 2006.- High school :...
in 2007 and earned All American Honors. Britton Colquitt returns as punter and will handle kickoffs. Sophomores Dennis Rogan emerged as the main kick and punt returner last, with Lennon Creer joining him as kick returner. Both players return.
----
Projected starters (Note: Does not include incoming Freshmen).
| Position | Number | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Hometown | Games↑ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 95 | Chad Cunningham ‡ | 6'3" | 210 lb. | RS-So. | Dawsonville, Georgia Dawsonville, Georgia Dawsonville is a city in Dawson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 619 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Dawson County... |
0 |
| P | 47 | * Britton Colquitt ‡ | 6'3" | 205 lb. | RS-Sr. | Knoxville, Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region... |
0 |
| PR Punt returner Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while... |
41 | * Dennis Rogan | 5'10" | 175 lb. | So. | Knoxville, Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region... |
0 |
| KO Placekicker Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points... |
26 | * Daniel Lincoln | 6'0" | 204 lb. | So. | Ocala, Florida Ocala, Florida Ocala is a city in Marion County, Florida. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 53,491. It is the county seat of Marion County, and the principal city of the Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated 2007 population of 324,857.-History:Ocala... |
0 |
| KR | 41 | * Dennis Rogan | 5'10" | 175 lb. | So. | Knoxville, Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region... |
0 |
| KR | 3 | * Lennon Creer | 6'1" | 202 lb. | So. | Tatum, Texas Tatum, Texas Tatum is a city in Panola and Rusk Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 1,175 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Tatum is located at .... |
0 |
| PK Placekicker Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points... |
26 | * Daniel Lincoln | 6'0" | 204 lb. | So. | Ocala, Florida Ocala, Florida Ocala is a city in Marion County, Florida. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 53,491. It is the county seat of Marion County, and the principal city of the Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated 2007 population of 324,857.-History:Ocala... |
0 |
- * – Denotes returning starter
- ↑ – Denotes number of games started by the player at the listed position during the 2008 season.
- ‡ – Note: Cunningham will be the starter during Colquitt's suspension.
Rankings
| Poll | Pre | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12 | Wk 13 | Wk 14 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP | 18 | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | |
| Coaches | 18 | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | |
| Harris | Not released | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | |||||
| BCS | Not released | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | ||||||||