Eckwood43
05-14-2004, 11:54 PM
Among active Division I-A coaches with a minimum of ten years, Fulmer’s .801 winning percentage (113–28) is the highest. Tennessee’s record of 99–26 over the last 10 years is also the SEC’s best.
Athlon picks Tennessee No. 18
There is plenty of talent in Knoxville this fall, but the question is, who will be the quarterback? C.J. Leak and Rick Clausen have famous brothers but unproven track records. Defensively, Tennessee will be tough with the Kevins -- Simon and Burnett -- leading the way. The Vols were tough to figure out a year ago, winning at Miami and Florida yet losing to Auburn and Clemson. If these Vols are more consistent and can find a quarterback, a BCS bowl is not out of the question.
Before spring practice began, Gerald Riggs Jr. proclaimed himself on a mission to seize the tailback job from returning starter Cedric Houston. Riggs then proceeded to sit out most of the spring with a high ankle sprain. The deep well of potential Houston, Riggs and Jabari Davis brought to the Volunteers’ tailback position remains largely untapped.
James Banks, the team’s leading receiver last season, is serving a disciplinary suspension and may or may not return for 2004. But sophomore Jayson Swain and redshirt freshman Robert Meachem should begin to fulfill the promise they brought to Knoxville as two of last season’s most prized recruits, and junior Chris Hannon returns after nabbing a team-high seven TD passes. Senior Michael Muñoz, who has started all 36 games of his college career, still anchors the offensive line at left tackle.
Neither of Tennessee’s top two candidates to take over for departed quarterback Casey Clausen — C.J. Leak and Casey’s brother, Rick Clausen — inspired awe during the spring. Head coach Phillip Fulmer and offensive coordinator Randy Sanders eagerly await the arrival of freshmen Brent Schaeffer and Erik Ainge in August.
The defensive front seven features end Parys Haralson and linebackers Kevin Simon and Kevin Burnett as headliners. Simon, who led the team in tackles last season despite playing out of position on the outside, slides over to his more comfortable role in the middle for 2004. Haralson seems most comfortable in the opponents’ backfield — his speed is hard to handle coming off the corner. Cornerback Jason Allen and free safety Corey Campbell each picked off a pair of passes last fall.
The Florida Gators will visit noisy Neyland on Sept. 18, but Georgia is a road game for the Vols, on Oct. 9.
Athlon picks Tennessee No. 18
There is plenty of talent in Knoxville this fall, but the question is, who will be the quarterback? C.J. Leak and Rick Clausen have famous brothers but unproven track records. Defensively, Tennessee will be tough with the Kevins -- Simon and Burnett -- leading the way. The Vols were tough to figure out a year ago, winning at Miami and Florida yet losing to Auburn and Clemson. If these Vols are more consistent and can find a quarterback, a BCS bowl is not out of the question.
Before spring practice began, Gerald Riggs Jr. proclaimed himself on a mission to seize the tailback job from returning starter Cedric Houston. Riggs then proceeded to sit out most of the spring with a high ankle sprain. The deep well of potential Houston, Riggs and Jabari Davis brought to the Volunteers’ tailback position remains largely untapped.
James Banks, the team’s leading receiver last season, is serving a disciplinary suspension and may or may not return for 2004. But sophomore Jayson Swain and redshirt freshman Robert Meachem should begin to fulfill the promise they brought to Knoxville as two of last season’s most prized recruits, and junior Chris Hannon returns after nabbing a team-high seven TD passes. Senior Michael Muñoz, who has started all 36 games of his college career, still anchors the offensive line at left tackle.
Neither of Tennessee’s top two candidates to take over for departed quarterback Casey Clausen — C.J. Leak and Casey’s brother, Rick Clausen — inspired awe during the spring. Head coach Phillip Fulmer and offensive coordinator Randy Sanders eagerly await the arrival of freshmen Brent Schaeffer and Erik Ainge in August.
The defensive front seven features end Parys Haralson and linebackers Kevin Simon and Kevin Burnett as headliners. Simon, who led the team in tackles last season despite playing out of position on the outside, slides over to his more comfortable role in the middle for 2004. Haralson seems most comfortable in the opponents’ backfield — his speed is hard to handle coming off the corner. Cornerback Jason Allen and free safety Corey Campbell each picked off a pair of passes last fall.
The Florida Gators will visit noisy Neyland on Sept. 18, but Georgia is a road game for the Vols, on Oct. 9.