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OFFENSE
TIGHT END
An experienced, battle-tested tandem could
inspire the confidence needed to develop the tight ends into a complementary
adjunct for the talented wide receivers brigade. Neil Johnson and John Finlayson
are the epitome of team leadership and will do the job they're called on to
do, either as receivers or blockers. Both have the strength and speed to pick
up needed yardage after the catch. In the past, it has been the blue-collar
aspect of the job that has brought out the best in the veteran tight ends.
They take as much delight in making a block as they do in becoming the occasional
pass target. Johnson, tabbed in the spring for a starting role, comes from
a family that boasts two former Vols. Ed Butler, a junior who switched over
from defensive tackle, will provide depth.
WIDE RECEIVER
Cedrick Wilson intends to maintain his
status as the Vols' go-to guy in the pass-receiving corps. But his hold
on that esteemed designation is none too secure. Not because of any shortcoming
on Cedrick's part. Indeed, his 57 catches last season led the team, and
his sure-handed touch made him a favorite target of Tee Martin. But Wilson's
perch in the catbird's seat is threatened by Donte Stallworth's surge
in the last five games of the regular season and a noteworthy bowl performance.
And then there are others like dependable Eric Parker and the improved
David Martin, both looking for their fair share of the action. Rounding
out the corps, not counting new arrivals, are Bobby Graham, Leonard Scott,
Burney Veazey and Eric Locke, all with loads of potential.
TACKLE
Vol coaches are scrambling mightily to present
an offensive line that can open the door for Travis Henry and mates to showcase
their ability as runners. Another pressing duty will be to secure protection
and buy time for the inexperienced corps of quarterbacks. Tackle is one of
those positions that was hit a severe blow by graduation, losing both starters,
Chad Clifton and Josh Tucker. Reggie Coleman, who came on strong as the 1999
season moved along, has the inside track at left tackle. Gifted prospect Will
Ofenheusle has the size (6-8, 315) to make his presence known at the other
tackle slot. Unquestionably, there will be plenty of opportunity for new arrivals
to make an early impression when fall practice commences.
GUARD
As the only starter returning, junior Fred
Weary seems like the grand old man of the offensive line. When you consider
that Weary is a convert from the defensive line, his experience, too, is sharply
limited. But not his potential. Weary has the makings of an all-star at his
left guard assignment. Could this be the year Bernard Gooden finally comes
into the picture in a big way? The 315-pound senior will have ample opportunity
to prove he deserves the starting assignment at right guard. Scott Wells and
Terriea Smalls, up from redshirt freshman ranks, see the 2000 season as an
opportunity to make their mark in the early stages of their Vol careers. Reggie
Ridley was transferred from tight end to guard during spring practice. Freshmen
will get a long look in fall drills.
CENTER
Toby Champion, the well-traveled line
veteran who has a history of patching holes as they develop on the offensive
line, hopes to stake his claim to a full-time job at center. But the competition
is something that the wily old-timer will need to meet head-on. Regardless
of who starts in September, the coaching staff's priority will be to develop
depth at the position that is the launching spot for every play. Emphasis
will be directed to the all-important timing aspect of the job as Tennessee
breaks in a new center-quarterback combination.
QUARTERBACK
A wide-open quarterback derby was the focus
of spring practice. Joey Mathews held the pole position, but A.J. Suggs and
two new arrivals on campus made it a lively chase. With a year as Tee Martin's
backup under his belt, Mathews enjoyed a head start, a situation he enhanced
with an impressive showing during March and April workouts. But Suggs, who
has been at UT for a year, and newcomer Casey Clausen wasn't
intimidated. They all made progress, according to coaches, but each retained
a commendable desire to soak up as much knowledge as possible. Even Mathews'
statistics are skimpy. He saw action in eight games, mostly in a mop-up capacity,
and launched only seven passes, three of which were complete.
TAILBACK
A proven commodity, Travis Henry, depends
on continued improvement to earn him the lion's share of carries as the
Vols' marquee runner. But beware, Travis. There are some talented speedsters
behind you, namely Travis Stephens and Kurston Biggers, with designs on
cutting into your opportunities. Back from a year as a redshirt, Stephens
hopes to regain the form that allowed him to carry the ball 107 times in 1998. But it's Henry who figures to get the first shot
when the Vols turn to their ground game. The senior power runner cruised
for 790 yards last season for a nifty 6.3 average. This is a position
where the Vols boast remarkable depth.
FULLBACK
Will Bartholomew looks on a chance to deliver
a crunching block with the same anticipation most runners experience when
they find a hole they can slither through. It's full steam ahead when Bartholomew
eyes his quarry. And that's a good thing, too, because with an inexperienced
line taking the field, the Vols are certainly going to be in need of dedicated
blocking emanating from the backfield. The smart and sturdy Bartholomew shared
fullback responsibilities last season with the graduated Phillip Crosby. Bartholomew is a 232-pound junior whose grandfather played at UT and whose father was a standout at Army. Fleming advanced his
cause with productive spring work.
DEFENSE
ENDS
Will Overstreet could make as strong an impression
at right end this season as the departed Shaun Ellis did a year ago on the
left side. In fact, the lethal combination of Ellis and Overstreet in 1999
earned the respect of opponent quarterbacks, who didn't like the sight of
the rugged terminals bearing down on them. Overstreet with 17 Big Plays is
Tennessee's leading returning lineman from a statistical standpoint. Bernard
Jackson, who arrived on the scene two years ago highly touted out of his home
state of Kentucky, will have a chance to make his mark as Ellis' replacement
at left end. As backup last season, Jackson rang up a promising assortment
of Big Plays. Omari Hand, DeAngelo Lloyd and Constantin Ritzmann return, each
with high quality credentials. Short on experience, but long on aggressiveness,
summarizes the outlook at end.
TACKLES
Graduation struck a savage blow, claiming
standouts Billy Ratliff and Darwin Walker from the tackle ranks. But John
Henderson's return will send opponents scurrying to their playbooks in search
of an antidote. Henderson, who turned into a destructive force for last year's
defense when he became a regular, should deliver more devastation in 2000.
The 6-7, 290-pounder, who took over at left tackle when Ratliff was injured,
started the last eight games including the Fiesta Bowl. He was credited with
43 tackles and 11 Big Plays. Henderson unleashed his exceptional talent in
an eye-catching spring practice, an indication he will be tough to deal with
this fall. The likely starter at the other tackle, Albert Haynesworth, at
6-6, 310 pounds presents an equally fearsome physical presence. He has first
crack at the right tackle job vacated by Walker. Edward Kendrick, Rashad Moore
and Kevin Young are positioned for top reserve service.
LINEBACKERS
Two years in a row Tennessee has bid goodbye
to an All-America linebacker, Al Wilson after the 1998 national championship
season and Raynoch Thompson last year. Two starters from a strong defense
return at linebacker, leaving one spot open, but with a promising replacement
poised to take over. Anthony Sessions fought off all challengers to enter
the fall as the probable starter at right linebacker. He will be joined on
the first unit by two other seniors, Eric Westmoreland on the left and Dominique
Stevenson in the middle. Westmoreland is a budding all-star who ended last
season as the Vols' third-leading tackler despite missing the Kentucky and
Vanderbilt games. A former running back, Stevenson won the middle linebacker
slot a year ago and then validated his selection by logging 65 tackles with
14.5 Big Plays. Andre James, who gave Sessions a run for his money, is a well-regarded
reserve as are Keyon Whiteside, Eddie Moore, Devon Davis, Travis Colston and
Robert Peace.
CORNERBACKS
When Andre Lott looks around the Vols
secondary, he may be struck with a feeling of loneliness. He won't find
Dwayne Goodrich, Deon Grant and Fred White, the mainstays of the secondary
the last two years. Lott will suddenly feel like the team's grizzled veteran
even though the 2000 season will be only his second as a regular. With
losses caused by graduation or defection to the NFL, Lott is the only
returnee with appreciable playing time as part of his record in the secondary.
Andre, whom opponents picked on in the early going last year because of
his youth, learned the job quickly out of an instinct for survival. Now
he is the wily old-timer, an accomplished defensive back who will start
at left cornerback and try to lead the way for his untested colleagues.
Lott's 45 tackles could be a goal for Teddy Gaines to match in his first
season as a regular at right cornerback. When spring work ended, Gaines
was fending off a challenge from another junior, Willie Miles. Junior
college graduate Charles Small expects to back up Lott on the left side.
STRONG SAFETIES
Steven Marsh, a hard-hitting, 180-pound sophomore,
could be in line for a starting assignment at strong safety. Steven is aware
his previous experience is almost non-existent, a situation which makes it
mandatory he bone up every way he can between spring practice and the beginning
of the season. Last year he had a grand total of four tackles, three of which
came on special teams play. Buck Fitzgerald, a junior hoping to earn significant
playing time, is tabbed to back up Marsh and will make a bid for the starting
job if Marsh falters. Strong safety is a position that will call for on-the-job
training, which is not exactly the way coaches like it in a risky area like
the secondary.
FREE SAFETIES
Coming out of spring practice, Tad Golden
was the man with the edge at another critical position in the defense. Bothered
by injuries last season, Tad could look back to his true freshman season,
1998, as an indicator of his potential. Given a start at free safety for the
Kentucky game, Golden responded with a yeoman performance: eight tackles against
the blue-clad foes. The productive afternoon stamped Golden as a man on the
rise. But a foot injury slowed his progress last year, setting the stage for
his emergence with an outstanding spring practice. The secondary is an area where
new arrivals should take heart because they have a realistic chance of landing
playing time their first season at UT.
KICKING
David Leaverton has overcome the disappointment
of a freshman season in which he struggled and now has become one of the most
consistent punters in the Southeastern Conference and the nation. In three
seasons at UT, Leaverton has steadily improved his punting average, from 36.4,
to 38.9 to 42.6 last year. With the regular placekicker's injury early last
season, David also took over kickoff duties. The maturing of the lanky Texan
has been one of the key factors in the Vols' improved overall kicking game.
Alex Walls took over as placekicker for field goals and extra points after
two games last year. Walls responded by connecting on eight of 11 field goal
tries and 35 of 36 extra point kicks. But the strong-legged sophomore faces
a challenge from two other promising kickers, transfer Christian Chauvin and
redshirt freshman Steven Lee. Wide receiver Eric Parker will again return
punts after posting a 9.4 average last season. Speedy sophomore Leonard Scott
will draw a similar assignment on kickoffs. He averaged 27 yards for the 1999
Vols. Junior Dan Stacey is listed as the deep snapper, and sophomore Seth
Reagan will hold for placements.
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