Tennessee Strategy and Personnel
SPRING AHEAD: Who will fill Erik Ainge's big shoes at QB? Junior Jonathan Crompton is the favorite going into spring drills next month, but he'd better play well or redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman might win the job. The coaches were impressed with Coleman's work ethic and athletic ability. Nick Stephens could elbow his way into the race by playing well, but Crompton and Coleman appear to be 1-2 at the moment.
Another situation to watch will be how the defensive staff evaluates holes along the front seven, where the team must replace both ends and two linebackers, including SEC tackle leader Jerod Mayo. The secondary should be excellent with several proven players returning.
PRO POTENTIAL:
QB Erik Ainge -- He helped himself in the Senior Bowl, where he engineered a 14-play, 86-yard touchdown drive to win the game as time expired, converting a pair of fourth downs along the way. Ainge appears to be a third- or fourth-round pick, unless he shows poorly at the combine.
TE Brad Cottam -- With his size (6-8, 265 pounds), soft hands and surprising speed, Cottam could be a find for a team which needs a tight end on the draft's second day. Cottam, who played just five games after breaking his wrist in preseason, caught a touchdown pass in the Senior Bowl.
OT Eric Young -- Although he missed the last six games with a knee injury, he could be a potential bargain for a team willing to bet on his successful rehabilitation. Young is a prototype NFL left tackle at 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds and was a second-team All-SEC pick while playing just eight games.
ROSTER REPORT:
--FS Demetrice Morley is back after sitting out 2007 because of poor grades. A starter in 2006, Morley shores up the only hole in the secondary, as he'll replace Jonathan Hefney. Morley and sophomore SS Eric Berry could be the best safety duo in the SEC.
--A handful of players will sit out spring practice after undergoing surgery following the season. Among them are WR Lucas Taylor, the team's top receiver last year, and CB Brent Vinson, who started the last 11 games despite frequent shoulder problems.
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