University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Quartet Named Spring's Most Improved
April 17, 2008 | Football
Four Tennessee football players chasing increased playing time in 2008 share this year???s most improved spring practice honors.
Sophomore tight end Luke Stocker and redshirt freshman receiver Ahmad Paige split the Harvey Robinson Award given to this year???s offensive stalwarts. On defense, seniors Robert Ayers and DeAngelo Willingham were named the Andy Spiva Award recipients.
Stocker, 6-6 and 245 pounds from Berea, Ky., appeared in all 14 games last season as part of the Vols??? deep tight-end playing rotation. He had catches in four different games, including a six-yard touchdown reception against Alabama for his first collegiate score.
Paige hails from Monroe, La., and sat out last season as a redshirt wide receiver. The 6-1, 180-pounder has worked to find his place among the Vols??? talented group of pass-catchers.
Ayers led UT with both 12 tackles for loss and four sacks during his junior campaign as a reserve defensive end. The Clio, S.C, product, now 6-3 and 270 pounds, contributed at least a shared TFL in nine of the season???s 14 games and finished third on the defensive front with 34 tackles.
Willingham, 6-0 and 200 pounds from Saint Mathews, S.C., forced two lost fumbles and recorded a career-high 10 tackles against his home-state Gamecocks. He started the season???s final seven games at cornerback but also could see action at safety for the 2008 Vols.
The award winners, selected annually by the coaching staff, have been chosen at the conclusion of spring practice since 1979. They are named for Robinson, a former UT player (1929-32), assistant coach (1946-52, 1960-63) and head coach (1953-54), and for Spiva, the outstanding Vols linebacker from 1973-76.
FORMER VOL WITTEN HONORED BY KNOXVILLE SPORTS HALL OF FAME
The Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame announced Friday that Dallas Cowboys and former Tennessee Vols tight end Jason Witten has been selected its Pro Athlete of the Year. Witten will be honored at the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony on July 17 at the Knoxville Convention Center.
Witten led Dallas in receiving during 2007, setting the Cowboys season record for receptions by a tight end with 96. Against Detroit, Witten tied the NFL game record for receptions by a tight end with 15. At the conclusion of the season, Witten was selected for his fourth straight Pro Bowl.??
Recently, Witten launched the SCORE Foundation to provide support and assistance for families and individuals affected by domestic violence.?? He has appeared on NFL/United Way public service announcements and conducts an annual free summer football camp for youth in hometown of Elizabethton. Witten was a finalist in 2007 for the NFL???s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
Witten played tight end at Tennessee from 2000-02, earning All-SEC honors in 2002 when he led the team in receiving.
The Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame is inducting 10 new members during this year???s dinner. Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench is the featured speaker. Proceeds from the event benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley. For ticket information, call 865-544-3825, ext. 221, or visit www.gkshof.org.
VOLS PLACE THREE ON NATIONALCHAMPS.NET ALL-AMERICA LIST
NationalChamps.net includes three Tennessee players on its College Football Preview list of preseason All-Americas.
Senior offensive lineman Anthony Parker is a first-team honoree. Junior linebacker Rico McCoy and sophomore defensive back Eric Berry were tabbed as honorable mention selections.
The site ranks the Volunteers at No. 17 overall in its preseason Top 25.
This marks the ninth season NationalChamps.net has released an annual College Football Preview, complete with analysis, projections, depth charts and unit rankings.
