University of Tennessee Athletics
2005 Tennessee Football Spring Outlook
March 07, 2005 | Football
March 7, 2005
2005 TENNESSEE FOOTBALL OUTLOOKSpring Football CentralOFFENSE | DEFENSE | SPECIAL TEAMS Here's the question: One year after unexpectedly winning the Eastern Division championship of the SEC, are the Tennessee Vols poised to equal or surpass the scenario that produced a 10-win season and a smashing bowl victory? Suddenly Tennessee again is talked about as a national title contender, a projection most likely based on a superb postseason showing that was followed by a bonanza in the February recruiting sweepstakes.
Take note that most of the talk is originating with fans and media, not with Head Coach Phillip Fulmer, who, while upbeat, is far more restrained in assessing the Vols' chances of becoming a legitimate BCS candidate. The expectations game took root on New Year's Day when the Vols, led by third-team quarterback Rick Clausen, disposed of slightly favored Texas A&M in the SBC Cotton Bowl Classic, 38-7. Then came recruiting, which ended with Tennessee's freshman class ranked a consensus top three. The bowl rout and rookie harvest fueled the optimistic spirit, which was further inflated when a glance at the upcoming squad roster revealed 16 starters returning - seven on offense, eight on defense and dependable place kicker James Wilhoit.
Another reason for the buoyant attitude among Tennessee fans is that the school has its head coach under contract through 2011. The stability Fulmer gives the program is a huge factor in looking for continued success by the Vols. His 13-year record, 123-31 (.799 winning percentage), stands as the best in major college ranks among coaches with 10 or more years service. Fulmer likes the chances he can maintain his lofty standing, but cautions that there is many a slip twixt the cup and the lip when it comes to making predictions about the Southeastern Conference, much less the national scene. "We have a tremendous amount of work to do, and many of our toughest games are on the road," he warned. OFFENSEA team with aspirations for national recognition would normally have the identity of its quarterback set in stone. In contrast, Tennessee's situation is up for grabs at the signal-caller post, but for a strange reason. There are two quarterbacks who rate as serious contenders based on some impressive credentials acquired last season.
The Sporting News named Erik Ainge its SEC freshman offensive player of the year, citing his accomplishments through the first nine games. But when Ainge injured his shoulder against Notre Dame, a game the Vols subsequently lost, Fulmer turned to his bullpen for Rick Clausen, who had been cast aside in preseason practice as a non-factor at quarterback. Rescued from obscurity, Clausen jumped at the opportunity to make a lasting impression, which he proceeded to do by leading his team to victory in its games with Vanderbilt and Kentucky and then capturing the offensive MVP award in the Vols' 38-7 win in the Cotton Bowl.
So will it be Ainge, or will it be Clausen who takes the field for the opening offensive possession when the Vols kick off the season against UAB? Ainge's statistics point toward him as the likely starter: 17 touchdown passes, most by a freshman in UT history; a 7-1 record and the lead in the ninth game at the time he was injured. But how can anybody overlook Clausen's demolition of Texas A&M at Dallas Jan. 1? He was an easy choice for offensive honors at the Cotton Bowl after he fired three touchdown passes and oversaw an attack that marched through the Aggies for 474 yards in total offense. A multi-gifted sophomore, Brent Schaeffer, believes his combination of running and passing craftiness will allow him to make a three-way scrap out of the quarterback race.
It has taken a while but Gerald Riggs Jr. has emerged at long last as the explosive tailback Tennessee thought it was getting when he inked scholarship papers three years ago. Riggs riddled Texas A&M for 102 yards on 18 carries, bringing down the curtain on a solid junior season. He went from 207 yards the previous season to 1,107 last year, teaming with Cedric Houston to provide a tailback tandem that accounted for more than 2,000 yards. Riggs' best effort took place in the SEC championship rematch with Auburn. Held to 43 yards by the Tigers during the regular season, Riggs was a different man in the return game at Atlanta, ravaging the Auburn defense for a career-high 182 yards on just 11 carries that included touchdown jaunts of 80 and 9 yards. David Yancey is in line for backup duty, but railbirds say redshirt freshman Arian Foster is a force to be reckoned with provided Riggs or Yancey comes up short. Fulmer is looking for a second tailback who can provide the type one-two punch supplied by Houston and Riggs last season. As the Vols searched for a fullback last spring, Fulmer made a decision that had a positive impact on the team's offensive prowess. Cory Anderson, struggling to find playing time at defensive end, was shifted to the experience-shy fullback slot and became one of the season's best surprises. Anderson delivered on his number one assignment, which was to protect the quarterback and open holes for runners Houston and Riggs. At 275 pounds, he is well equipped to lend protection. His contributions as a receiver were a sweet bonus. Occasionally under-defended because of the Vols' wealth of talent at wide receiver, Anderson became a valuable tool in keeping a drive alive by making key third-down catches. He ranked seventh on the squad in receiving with 17 grabs for 152 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown catch against Kentucky. Sophomore David Holbert caught a 21-yard scoring pass in the South Carolina game. Tennessee lost its top receiver, Tony Brown, to graduation, but in terms of hard luck, there are plenty of circumstances to soften the blow for the Vols. No doubt, the ever-reliable Brown, with his 31 catches for 388 yards, was a steadying influence on youthful receivers last year. But the quality depth that has now grown to maturity assures there will be no outpouring of sympathy from opponent headquarters concerning Brown's departure.
The Vols are so loaded with talent at receiver it's hard to realize that only a couple of years ago the coaches were screaming about the lack of capable hands. The sensational Robert Meachem, much ballyhooed as a freshman, more than reached the heights anticipated for him. Meachem's deceptive running style netted 459 yards on 25 catches for a team-leading 18.4-yard average and whetted fans' appetite to see more of him this fall. Meachem wasn't alone in creating a buzz. Others weighing in with occasionally spectacular deeds were Jayson Swain (29 catches for 388 yards), C.J. Fayton (24 for 379), Chris Hannon (21 for 230), and Bret Smith (18 for 291). Fayton and Hannon are seniors who have posted remarkably good numbers since their arrival at UT. How much help the passing game will receive from tight ends is subject to debate, partly because the wideouts bring a ton of ability to the lineup. At 6-7, 275, however, senior Justin Reed has the physical tools to provide a threat down the middle in the event the Vols decide to spread the wealth. He was limited to one catch last year. Sophomore Chris Brown and Brad Cottam fill out the rest of the depth chart at tight end. Cottam underwent shoulder surgery that will keep his sidelined until August.
The prescription for a potent offense, in addition to a mix of talented skill players, requires adequate support from the line. The Vols sustained the loss of premier performers in All-America tackle Michael Munoz and hardy center Jason Respert. The absence of the two stalwarts will be felt. But coaches don't look for a drastic deterioration of the Vols' efficiency along the offensive front. The center position is up for grabs after Richie Gandy suffered an offseason knee injury. Gandy logged five starts in the line last season, including one when Respert couldn't answer the bell. David Ligon figures to receive heavy work in spring. Otherwise, experienced personnel will be available to keep line play at the exceptional standard consistently exhibited last year. Tackle Arron Sears and guard Cody Douglas bring the bearing of potential all-stars to the lineup, and guard Rob Smith has a commendable toughness. Tackle Albert Toeaina is a 355-pound behemoth who is in line for a starting berth if his progress on the field matches his massive frame. DEFENSEThe Vol defense qualified in 2004 as an unfathomable mystery when it fluctuated starkly from highs to lows and back. On the positive side, though, it left fans with a good feeling to sustain them through the winter by shutting down Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl, limiting the Aggies to seven points in the lopsided UT win. The Vols needed something good to happen after being ripped for 34 first downs by Auburn in the SEC Championship game. Labeling last year's defense "uneven" might be a fair assessment. With eight starters returning in 2005, the unit has a good chance to restore the Vols' customary consistency.
Delivering a sack or simply applying pressure, left end Parys Haralson is a quarterback's worst nightmare. Haralson, who had the rare honor of serving as team captain as a junior last season, recorded a school-record 21 quarterback hurries to complement his seven sacks. Karlton Neal's right end post likely will be filled by senior Jason Hall, who hinted at his vast potential when he tore into Georgia last year for seven tackles, three for lost yardage, and two sacks. The busy day's work landed Hall honors as SEC defensive player of the week. Sophomores Xavier Mitchell and Antonio Reynolds are top reserves.
As Haralson sets the standard at end, Jesse Mahelona charts a solid path for the young tackles to emulate. When he was on his game, which was most of the time, Mahelona brought havoc down on opponent offenses, 18 times disrupting things with lost-yardage tackles. In his first year as a Vol, the powerful junior college graduate made first-team All-America while building a reputation as a Vol that opponents wish to avoid. Justin Harrell at left tackle looks like a guy getting ready to go on a tear. That is, if his Cotton Bowl play against Texas A&M is an accurate barometer. He nabbed defensive MVP honors by hammering out a bountiful day against the Aggies, most notably by forcing a fumble and registering a sack. Junior Turk McBride, a certified head-hunter, will mount a bid for the starting role when he comes back from a wrist injury in August. Depth will come from Jared Hostetter, LaRon Harris and Demonte Bolden.
If senior Kevin Simon can avoid the uncanny streak of bad luck that has plagued him two of the last three years, he could elevate the linebacker corps from good to excellent. In both 2002 and 2004, the supremely talented Simon suffered a season-ending injury before September had run its course. Now a senior, Simon is penciled in as a starter at weak side linebacker ahead of the oncoming junior, Daniel Brooks. The other linebacker slots are capably manned by Omar Gaither on the strong side and Jason Mitchell in the middle. The two seniors carry impressive stats over from last season, Gaither ranking third in tackles with 92 and Mitchell holding down sixth place with 57. Jerod Mayo and Jon Poe are other candidates for playing time with the Vols' traditionally strong linebacker corps.
Tennessee's secondary suffered occasional lapses last year but nothing that reflected on the ability of Jason Allen and Roshaun Fellows, both of whom performed admirably. That's why it's comforting to realize those two worthies will be filling the cornerback positions. Allen, an all-SEC safety last season, has been shifted to left cornerback, where his hard-hitting can be an intimidating factor. Coaches and UT fans alike were pleased when Allen spurned an early entry into the NFL to stay in school. The SEC and team leader in tackles last year with 123, Allen is expected to be ready to go full blast when he returns in August from shoulder surgery. Fellows goes into his sophomore season after landing first-team Freshman All-America honors in 2004 at cornerback. His first-year credits included three interceptions and a team-leading 14 passes deflected. With Allen and Fellows well established, it will be interesting to see how Fulmer employs backup corners Jonathan Hefney and Jonathan Wade, both of whom harbor first-team ambitions. Hefney received freshman All-America second-team mention last year. If only the safeties were as settled as the corners. Antwan Stewart, at one time considered a budding star, is back off the injured list and prepared to fight to keep the strong safety post. Stewart missed the entire season with a spring practice knee injury. Corey Campbell hopes his four interceptions last season will give him the nod over Jarod Parrish at free safety. What Phillip Fulmer hopes is that somebody comes through at safety to bring the quality of play above last year's level, which was a worrisome matter on the team's route to the Eastern Division championship. SPECIAL TEAMS
Tennessee's All-America punter, Dustin Colquitt graduated, making way for still another member of the family of golden feet, the Colquitts, to take over that critical chore. This time the punting chores will fall on Britton Colquitt, a freshman and Dustin's younger brother. Junior James Wilhoit is back to deliver on kickoffs and placements. His 2004 stats: 10-of-17 field goals, 44-of-45 extra points. Fulmer, displeased that the Vols didn't get much out of their kick return game, will be looking for fresh talent unless last year's veterans step up their game. He is expected to give another opportunity on kickoffs to Gerald Riggs Jr. and on punts to Jonathan Hefney. Riggs averaged 18 yards on kick returns last year, while Hefney averaged 5 yards bringing back punts. Every aspect of the kicking game has been a big part of the Vols tradition, going back to Gen. Bob Neyland and currently embraced by Fulmer. It bothers him when he feels any area, including returns, isn't bearing its share of the load.
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