Morley's Back At Home As The Vols' Safety

It will be a special moment when Tennessee's Demetrice Morley runs on to the Rose Bowl turf on Labor Day to face the UCLA Bruins.

From living in a car to celebrating the birth of his son Deion a little more than a year ago, the trip back into spotlight has been quite a ride.

After being dismissed from Tennessee in January of 2007, Morley lived in his Chevrolet Caprice on the streets of Miami.

But he returned to Knoxville where he worked at Calhoun’s on the River and made enough money to go to Pellissippi State Technical Community College and get his academic standing back in order.

Morley will start at the strong safety next to Eric Berry on Monday. As a starter in 2006, he registered 51 tackles, seven for a loss and had two interceptions.

Coach Phil Fulmer and the Vols' staff are expecting a big year out of Morley.

And quite frankly, he deserves one.

Fulmer Answers Questions Before UCLA

Haywood Harris Interview With Phil Fulmer Before Labor Day Game at UCLA

1. Have you been pleased with the overall progress the team has made in reaching goals you set for preseason practice?

PF- "I have been pleased with the progress of the first units. I'm still concerned about depth issues. Overall, there has been an excellent attitude, and the players have worked hard to get themselves ready."

2. How has the team adjusted to any changes instituted by your new offensive coordinator, Dave Clawson?

PF - "I think real well. In the spring we had our struggles early, to say the least. But we made headway the last week or so of spring practice. I compliment the players. They did a great job during the summer, spending time studying tape on their own. Everybody seems to be on the same page. I think they are ready for the opener with Dave Clawson's offense."

3. Describe the role that could be played by tight end Brandon Warren, who has been declared eligible by the NCAA under transfer rules.

PF - "He will fill a significant role -- partly as tight end, maybe as an H-back at times. He's a very fine athlete, a man who can adjust and play a lot of positions. We are really encouraged about the progress he has made."

4. How has junior Jonathan Crompton stepped into the quarterback job after two years as backup?

PF - "He has done well, working hard to learn the offense. He and Coach Clawson have been practically inseparable since the spring, which is a big plus for us. I think the time he spent as backup has been very valuable to him. The last couple of scrimmages, I don't know how you could ask him to manage things any better."

5. What do you expect from UCLA on Monday (5 p.m. Pacific time/8 p.m. Eastern) under new head coach Rick Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow?

PF - "Openers are always tough, but when you have a coaching switch as UCLA did, it makes it especially tough for us. It will be a process of adjusting and learning throughout the game Monday night. I mean both teams will have to adjust as the game moves along."

MISSISSIPPI STATE TICKETS ADDED TO AVAILABLE LIST
Individual game tickets for five University of Tennessee home football games - UAB (Sept. 13), Northern Illinois (Oct. 4), Mississippi State (Wyoming (Nov. 8) and Kentucky (Nov. 29) - remain available for purchase online at utsports.com, via phone at (800) 332-VOLS and at Thompson-Boling Arena.Tickets for Northern Illinois and Wyoming are $40 each plus shipping and handling. Tickets for UAB, Mississippi State and Kentucky are $50 each plus shipping and handling.The athletics department also has a very limited number of single seat, non-renewable season tickets on sale for the 2008 season. These tickets will be sold for $315 and will be available for purchase only at the Thompson-Boling Arena ticket office or by phone at (800) 332-VOLS.

http://www.ut-sports.com/

Smokey Nominated for 2008 Mascot Hall of Fame

The first time I saw the San Diego Chicken I thought it was a great idea to have a mascot at the baseball games.

The furry mascots have come a long way since the Chicken got started as a promotion for a radio station in San Diego.

I think the reason I like the mascots so much is that it makes the kid come out in me. The mascots to me are the Hanna Barbara cartoon characters like Quick Draw McGraw, Yogi Bear and Huckleberry Hound Dog coming to life.

Now, the mascots have been around so long that there’s an actual Hall of Fame for the costume creatures. The categories for admission are divided into professional and collegiate.

And for you Tennessee football fans, Smokey has been nominated for the Mascot Hall of Fame. Smokey is one of the 11 nominated who have entertained and inspired millions of their fans through the years and have a chance to be inducted in the 2008 class.

You Vols fans are encouraged to go online and cast your votes for Smokey at www.mascothalloffame.com through Sept. 12.

Professional Candidates:
Billy the Marlin (Florida Marlins)
Globie (Harlem Globetrotters)
Hugo the Hornet (New Orleans Hornets)
Rocky (Denver Nuggets)
Slider (Cleveland Indians)

Collegiate Candidates:
Cocky (University of South Carolina)
Otto (Syracuse University)
Sebastian the Ibis (University of Miami)
Smokey (University of Tennessee)
The Hawk (St. Joseph's University)
Stanford Tree (Stanford University)
Online voting is open from August 11th through September 12th 2008 at www.mascothalloffame.com

Started in 2005, the Mascot Hall of Fame was created to recognize the art and skill of great characters. Their performances have entertained kids and adults alike for generations and have inspired their teams and communities.

Past Inductees: The Famous Chicken, Phillie Phanatic, Suns Gorilla, Bucky Badger, Aubie the Tiger, Lil Red, and others.

Important Campaign Dates:
August 11th - Online Voting Begins at www.mascothalloffame.com
August 25th through 28th - Media Tour
August 27th - Reggy's Mascot Mixer at Six Flags Great Adventure
September 12th - Online Voting Ends
To See Video of the Announcement go to ReggyTV

"The Mascot Hall of Fame has been a wonderful opportunity for fans to inspire and support their favorite mascot characters," said David Raymond, president of the Mascot Hall of Fame executive committee and the original Phillie Phanatic.

MBA in the Kirk Herbstreit Series

CINCINNATI – Montgomery Bell Academy will take a 1-0 record into a showdown with powerful Cincinnati Moeller in the Herbstreit Varsity Football Series Presented by BURGER KING® on August 31 in Paul Brown Stadium.

MBA is one of 30 teams who will play 15 games in two days in Texas and Ohio as part of the Kirk Herbstreit Series.

The 2007 Tennessee D-II state champions play Moeller at noon on Sunday.

"We're excited to once again showcase some of the best high school football teams in the country and give these young men the chance to play on a national stage," Kirk Herbstreit said. "Giving these young people an opportunity to play on national television in one of the best stadiums in the country and, in some cases, fly with their teammates to Ohio and Texas is a very rewarding experience for all of the event organizers, including myself. We all believe that high school football builds great character and can teach lessons that will stay with these players the rest of their lives."

MBA defeated Antioch 45-19 to kickoff the 2008 season.

Aug. 31 – Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
Noon EST Archbishop Moeller, Ohio vs. Montgomery Bell Academy, Tenn.
3 p.m. Huber Heights Wayne, Ohio vs. East St. Louis, Ill.
6 p.m. Lakota West, Ohio vs. St. Rita, Ill.

Hutch makes a difference at Sewanee

Sewanee’s Hutch Hutchings made a commitment to give back to the community off the field.

The University of the South sophomore offensive lineman led a charge for the team’s involvement with the students at nearby Sewanee Elementary School.

Thanks to his enthusiasm and determination, his teammates took time to read and assist the students each Thursday and Friday during the past school year.

For his efforts, Hutchings was named as a co-recipient of the University’s Pearigen Award for commitment in April.

Sewanee professor Mike Braden was impressed by Hutchings’ efforts.

“Hutch is the personification of the word amiable and is undaunted by a challenge,” Braden said.

Gerald Jones Turns Bad Into Good

The Tennessee Vols have many feel good stories about members of the 2008 team. Most are about how the players have overcome hardships and returned to the team.

Gerald Jones filed his chapter in the Vols book under the chapter of not quitting and staying on the team.

In January, the gifted wide receiver/special-package quarterback went from the most exciting member of the Big Orange offense to a freshman in trouble.

Jones was cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession and admits he considered packing his bags and returning to his home in Oklahoma City.

He waited on Phil Fulmer’s decision on how to handle the issue.

And as the story has been told, new receiver’s coach Lattrell Scott was just arriving in Knoxville from Richmond to take his new job as the Vols.

Scott took time help Jones through his problem and the youngster with the tremendous playmaking speed is now reaching out to his teammates not to make the same mistake.

Quotes of the day:

Phil Fulmer on Brandon Warren

"I just knew him, his family," said Fulmer, a clear paternal figure in Warren's life during this true-to-life soap opera. "His mother cried. His grandmother cried. You know, he was all mystified with that Seminole sticking the spear in the middle of the field. Then he got there and it wasn't so great without his family."He grew up a Florida State fan and grew up in Florida a little bit, I guess. I'm glad he's back."
_ www.Volquest.com

Vince Young on his poor passing.
"In y'alls eyes, you probably say it's bad," Young said Tuesday. "In our eyes, it's going to be all right. We're going to be all right."
_ The Associated Press

Spring Hill coach Jason Scharsch on playing his old boss

"It's an odd thing for me to open up with Gary Rankin," said Scharsch, who compiled a 26-36 record at Eagleville and reached the playoffs in 2005 after helping to start the school's football program in 2002."There's a guy that taught me an awful lot, and I have a world's worth of respect for him and everything he's accomplished in his career. It's going to seem funny to be across the sidelines from him. But I'm excited about it."
_ www.MaryvilleDailyTimes.com

Warren's Wishes Are Granted

The headline on the story Volquest.com’s John Brice wrote Tuesday morning told it all: “Warren wins! Warren wins! Warren wins!”

All Brandon Warren really wanted was to come home and be with his sick mother.

And now Warren has prevailed on his appeal to the NCAA to be able to play with the Tennessee Vols after transferring from Florida State.

The NCAA Membership Services staff notified UT associate athletics director Brad Bertani on Tuesday morning that it had approved Tennessee's waiver requests on behalf of sophomore tight end.

"I just want to thank the coaching staff for going out on a limb for me and understanding the circumstances I have been in and obstacles I have had to go through," Warren said. "I also thank the university and the NCAA for giving me this chance."

Warren has been practicing with the Vols and is now eligible to play against the UCLA Bruins in Los Angeles on Labor Day Sept. 1.

Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer said, "I'm really excited for Brandon. I appreciate his hard work while he has been here getting his academics in order.

"I also appreciate the work of our compliance staff and the Southeastern Conference, and the wisdom of the NCAA staff of approving this for a quality young man. The whole system is about helping student-athletes be successful, and it's good to see they are making that happen."

This gives Tennessee a special player at a time when the Vols needed him most.

Tight end Jeff Cottam will have surgery on his back Wednesday and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

Coach Phillip Fulmer said Cottam has been having problems with his back for some time. Cottam also missed part of spring practice after breaking a bone in his right leg.

Warren is a former Tennessee Mr. Football award winner, who shunned the big Orange to sign with the legendary Bobby Bowden at Florida State in 2007. He will now play in Neyland Stadium just a short jaunt from his home in Alcoa.

Warren returned home to Alcoa to be with his mother, Deirdre, who had cancer. But Florida State blocked efforts for him to transfer to Tennessee. He sat out the 2007 season, but has still had problems getting his release from FSU and the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive referred the matter to the NCAA for review.

Warren attended Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville while sitting out a year of competition. There he made the necessary strides in the classroom to be admitted to Tennessee.

Warren will have three years left to play for Tennessee. But, he's the type player who may not be in Knoxville long. Warren has NFL potential.

Father Enjoys Twice As Much Fun Coaching Twins

Like the old Wrigley’s slogan about Doublemint gum, Campbell County football coach

DeWayne Wells has double his pleasure and double his fun when coaching his identical twin sons.

Stephen Wells is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound slot back and defensive back. His brother Phillip Wells is a 5-11, 185-pound quarterback who also plays defensive back.

“It’s been a real joy,” Coach Wells said of coaching his sons. “They have a great appetite for football.”

Like most coaches sons, the youngsters grew up in a field house. However, when it was time for the twins to enter high school their father sought advice from his constituents.

“I called and talked to coaches who I knew had coached their sons,” he said. “Most coaches tend to be harder on their sons.”

Wells said his twins are competitive with each other in everything they do.

“Oh, that’s ugly and it gets uglier,” Coach Wells said of the competition between the two. “If it’s a card game, video game, 40-speed, in the weight room, grades, girls, no matter what they do they compete.”

Wells has been looking forward to this season for a long time.

As excited as he is about his squad of 19 seniors and his sons playing a major part in the Cougars success, he understands the reality.

“I have looked forward to this for a long time,” Coach Wells said. “But I know the finality of it being the seniors last year. A lot of these boys are like sons to me.”
Stephen and Phillip Wells have both been offered scholarships at Campbellsville College in Kentucky and other offers are likely to follow.

Wherever the pair chooses to go their new coach will discover they’re double trouble for the opponents and double good to have on the team.

Tailgate Tour Deals In Fun

Oh, it felt so good to be watching prep football again.

The Victoryswap.com Chattanooga Area Football Scrimmages provided plenty of exciting action on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.

Twenty-four teams from the greater Chattanooga area played in the event.

But as good as the play on the field was, there was also excitement in the concourse where the first leg of the State Farm Insurance Tennessee High School Football Tailgate Tour was dealing out fun.

The big State Farm wheel was spinning as fans watched in hopes it would stop on a winning number. The winners took home footballs, water bottles and other goodies.

The Varsity Sports Media crew of Chris Bevil, Greta Harless and Stacy Bevil were busy both days in a tent nearby playing fight songs and giving away Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Florida magazines.

Okay, the truth is the crew didn't give away many Florida magazines.

The fans lined up to attempt to throw footballs through the hole and win prizes.

At times the competition became heated as on Saturday when players from Tyner and Bradley County were throwing for prizes.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol rollover car was spinning over and over nearby throwing dummies all over the Finley Stadium concourse.

Everybody needs to see the rollover car at least once and learn why we all should wear seat belts.

The tailgate Tour is fun and attracts many people to the tents.

The 2008 season is on us and the State Farm Tennessee High School Football Tour continues this week.

I encourage the fans at the schools across the state to arrive early and enjoy all the fun.

I did.

Carson-Newman Ranked Preseason No. 6

A year ago, it was lonely on the banks of Mossy Creek when playoff time rolled around.

Carson-Newman College lost only one game in 2007. Nevertheless, by surrendering 651 yards total offense, including 486 passing in a 55-49 loss to Catawba, the Eagles were home alone in November.

Members of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) must not believe that will happen again in 2008.

Carson-Newman was selected No. 6 in the AFCA Preseason Poll, by earning 466 votes, including two first-place votes.

"On paper, we have a lot of key players returning," said Ken Sparks, who enters his 29th season as Eagle Head Coach. "I've never thought rankings mean too much. We have three very tough non-conference opponents to open the season, and I don't think they care too much about our ranking."

Sparks has nine All-SAC performers among the 21, including seven from the first team: quarterback Alex Good, wide receiver Reggie Hubbard, offensive tackle Ross Schaffer, defensive end Darius Wrentz, linebacker Brian Brown, free safety Denarus Waites and punter Chris Jones. Jones led the SAC with 41.4 yards per punt as a freshman last year.

The Eagles topped the SAC in seven categories, including scoring offense (48.8 ppg), rushing offense (308.3 yards) and total offense (491.8). Good passed for 1,333 yards and 13 touchdowns, with only two interceptions and ran for 625 yards and 10 TDs, while All-SAC second-team running back Buck Wakefield also scored 10 TDS while gaining 612 yards. Hubbard and Otis Miller caught 23 passes apiece for 609 and 540 yards, respectively, and five and three TDs.
Carson-Newman opens its season on Thursday, Aug. 28 at Concord University in Athens, W.Va. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches' Poll
August 12, 2008

Rank
1.Valdosta St. (Ga.) (17) 13-1
2. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (6) 12-1
3. Northwest Missouri St. (1) 12-2
4. North Alabama 10-2
5. California (Pa.) 13-1
6. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) (2) 10-1
7. Nebraska-Omaha 10-1
8. Abilene Christian (Texas) 10-3
9. Chadron St. (Neb.) 12-1
10. West Texas A&M 12-1
11. Central Washington 10-3
12. Delta St. (Miss.) 10-2
13. Shepherd (W.Va.) 10-2
14. Tuskegee (Ala.) 12-0
15. Ashland (Ohio) 8-2
16. West Chester (Pa.) 9-3
17. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) 8-3
18. Texas A&M-Commerce 5-6
19. Catawba (N.C.) 11-2
20. Newberry (S.C.) 9-2
21. Indiana (Pa.) 9-3
22. Minnesota-Duluth 4-6
23. Mesa St. (Colo.) 10-2
24. Southern Connecticut St. 9-4
25T. Bloomsburg (Pa.) 7-3
25T. Virginia Union 9-3

Best Vols QB Ever

Last season the Tennessee Football magazine asked who is the best Vols quarterback of all time.The easy answer to the question was Peyton Manning.

However, others did get votes when the media was polled statewide.

Manning, a New Orleans, La. Native, holds many of Tennessee’s all-time passing records, including career wins (39), passing yards (11,201) and touchdown passes (90).

He is the only Vols’ quarterback to have his jersey number retired. No.16 was the No. 1 overall draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 1998.

In the past ten seasons, Manning has set NFL records, won MVP honors and led the Colts to a Super Bowl championship in 2007. Surely, he has cemented his place as a future first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Larry Fleming covered the Vols from the early 1970s until 1998 and was a Tennessee beat writer for 10 years. He said Manning “is a no brainer” for the best Vols field general of all-time.

"Manning’s knowledge and comprehension of the game was beyond belief for a college quarterback," Fleming said. "He raised the bar for preparation, including his legendary film study habits, to a level unseen at any level of football."

Fleming said the bottom line when assessing Manning’s career at Tennessee is he made everyone around him better. Much better.

Ron Bliss saw many Vols quarterbacks working for the Kingsport Times-News from 1973-1982 and again from 1983-2003. He now covers Tennessee for his website TriCitiesSports.com. He too labeled Manning as the best ever.

"Peyton always got a knock that he couldn't beat Florida, but one year he put up 37 points," Bliss said. "The only problem was his defense allowed 62 and he didn't play on defense."

Bliss has been a Hesiman Trophy voter since 1981 and said Manning should have won the award over Michigan's Charles Woodson.

“It was a travesty that he didn't," Bliss said. "He epitomized everything you'd want in a Heisman Trophy winner -- he has the stats, his team won the SEC title and played in what was considered the National Championship Game in the Orange Bowl."

Former Chattanooga Times Sports Editor Buck Johnson covered the Vols as a writer for more than 44 years. The first game he reported on was in 1959 against LSU. He too said Manning was the best choice, but pointed out that Johnny Majors played single-wing tailback in an offense that did not have a quarterback.

"Peyton was the greatest, no contest," Johnson said. "But what if Majors would have been a quarterback? He was the key man on the field."Majors was an All-American and Heisman trophy runner-up in 1956 as a triple-threat tailback on a team that was one of the last to use the single wing.

Johnson said the eras were different and Bobby Dodd would have been the best Tennessee quarterback of his era.

Dodd was an All-America quarterback at Tennessee, leading the Volunteers to a 27-1-2 record from 1928-30. He joins Manning as the only two quarterbacks in Tennessee history to be named first-team All-American.

Dodd went on to a legendary coaching career at Georgia Tech and is one of only three men to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.

But, while Manning is the most accomplished NFL quarterback to ever step foot on Shields-Watkins Field, other names come up when the question is asked of the best in Vols history.

In the mid-1960s when Doug Dickey took over as head coach and ditched the wing T for the T-formation offense.Dewey Warren, a.k.a. "The Swamp Rat" won 19 games in his three years on The Hill. Warren was the first UT quarterback to ever throw for more than 1,000 yards in a single season.

The start of the 1969 season saw Bobby Scott from the northwest Georgia mill town of Rossville take over under center. Scott threw for more than 3,371 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Nevertheless, he's remembered most due to a career record of 20-3 as a starter and he's second on the all-time winning percentage list for UT quarterbacks (.869). Scott had a long NFL career as a back-up to Archie Manning in New Orleans before finishing his career with New Jersey and Chicago in the USFL.

Former Tennessee All-American lineman Chip Kell played with Scott.

"He was a pretty good one," Kell said. "He wasn’t very flashy, but he was a good leader. He wasn’t Peyton Manning he just got it done.

Conredge Holloway was one of the most electrifying players to don an orange jersey in Knoxville.
Chattanooga Times Free Press writer Ward Gossett covered the Vols for more than 20 years and remembers Holloway as a tremendous athlete.

"He’s another of the great Tennessee quarterbacks who could run and pass with the best of them," Gossett said. "How good an athlete was he? He played shortstop on UT's baseball team."

Holloway was an All-SEC first team selection in 1973 and was named as the quarterback for Tennessee’s 100-year team in 1991.

Tallahassee, Florida’s Tony Robinson burst onto the scene in Knoxville in 1984 after former starter Alan Cockrell left UT to begin a pro baseball career.

Robinson threw for 3,332 yards and 23 touchdowns in his all-too-brief UT career, which ended with a devastating knee injury suffered during the 1985 Alabama game.

Popular Knoxville ESPN radio talk show host Tony Basilio said Tony Robinson was one of the best.

"He played at a time in Tennessee football where he brought the program out of the doldrums," Basilio said."

Rhea County’s Andy Kelly starred for the Vols in the late 1980s and early 1990’s and his name remains near the top of most of UT’s passing records.

Kelly was 24-5-2 as a starter, throwing for 6,397 yards and 36 touchdowns.

CSS play-by-play announcer and longtime Vols network radio voice, Randy Smith said, "Kelly's teammates called him the greatest leader they ever saw."

Blessed with one of the strongest arms ever at Tennessee, Bryson City, N.C. native Heath Shuler went 19-5 in two-plus years as a starter, throwing for 4,088 yards and 36 touchdowns in his career.

Runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 1993, Shuler was the No. 3 overall pick by the Washington Redskins in the 1994 NFL Draft.

In 2006, he successfully defeated eight-term incumbent Charles H. Taylor for the U.S. House of Representatives seat in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District.

Gossett said Shuler leaving a year early for the NFL upset many Tennessee faithful.

"But Shuler put UT back on the national football map," Gossett said. "I remember him shattering the Plexiglas shield as ESPN cameras rolled. In addition, Heath came along, as recruiting news was becoming a major item, but before the days of Rivals.com.

Moreover, not to be forgotten is the man who had to fill the giant footsteps of Manning; But Martin surpassed all expectations when he took over as the Vols’ starter in 1998. He guided Tennessee to a perfect 13-0 season, an SEC championship and a 23-16 win over Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl to capture the Vols’ first national championship since 1951," He went 9-3 the following year and remains to this day Tennessee’s all-time leader in career winning percentage (.880).

"Martin was a larger version of Holloway, able to create havoc for defenses with his running and throwing, and he won 22 of 25 games," Fleming said.

While the fortunes of future UT quarterbacks have yet to be written, there is one thing to be certain of – like those before them, the next generations of Vols’ quarterbacks have an incredible legacy of greatness to uphold. Tennessee fans will expect nothing less.

All-time Top Vols QBs
Peyton Manning _ He owns all-time records for career wins (39), passing yards (11,201) and touchdown passes (90). His Vols jersey was retired.
Bobby Dodd _ All-America quarterback, leading the Vols to a 27-1-2 record from 1928-30. Joins Manning as the only two quarterbacks in Tennessee history to be first-team All-American.
Heath Shuler _ 19-5 in two-plus years as a starter, throwing for 4,088 yards and 36 touchdowns in his career. Runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 1993.
Andy Kelly _ Kelly was 24-5-2 as a starter, throwing for 6,397 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Tee Martin _ Guided Tennessee to a 13-0 season, an SEC championship and a national championship. Vols’ all-time leader in career winning percentage (.880).
Conredge Holloway _ An All-SEC first-team selection in 1973 and was named the quarterback for Tennessee¹s 100-year team in 1991.
Bobby Scott _ He threw for more than 3,371 yards and 32 touchdowns. Career record of 20-3 as a starter and is second on the all-time winning percentage list for quarterbacks (.869).
Tony Robinson _ He threw for 3,332 yards and 23 touchdowns in his all-too-brief UT career, which ended with a devastating knee injury suffered during the 1985 Alabama game.
Dewey Warren _ A.k.a. “The Swamp Rat,” won 19 games in his three years on The Hill. Warren was the first UT quarterback to throw for more than 1,000 yards in a single season.
Casey Clausen _ Completed 61 percent of his passes for 9, 707 yards and 75 touchdowns. Started 44 of 47 games and had a 14-1 record on the road with a 34-10 record overall.

Name Exp Att. Com. Pct. Yds TD's Record Pct.
Peyton Manning 1994-97 1,381 863 62.5 11,201 89 39-6 .867
Casey Clausen 2000-03 1,270 775 61.0 9,577 75 34-10 .773
Andy Kelly 1988-91 846 514 60.8 6,397 36 24-5-2 .790
Jeff Francis 1985-88 768 476 62.0 5,867 31 20-12-1 .621
Tee Martin 1996-99 588 326 55.4 4,592 32 22-3 .880
Heath Shuler 1991-93 513 316 61.6 4,088 36 19-5 .792
Alan Cockrell 1981-83 568 317 55.8 3,823 26 17-8-1 .673
Jimmy Streater 1976-79 467 241 51.6 3,433 17 13-12-2 .646
Bobby Scott 1968-70 498 236 47.4 3,371 32 20-3 .869
Dewey Warren 1965-67 440 258 58.6 3,357 27 19-6 .760
Tony Robinson 1982-85 411 253 61.6 3,332 23 10-5-1 .656
Conredge Holloway 1972-74 407 238 58.5 3,102 18 23-9-2 .705

Notes:
Peyton Manning is the only Tennessee quarterback on this list other than Bobby Dodd (1930) to be named All-American.
Manning is the only UT quarterback to be named All-SEC First Team twice (1995 and 1997) and the only UT quarterback to play in a Super Bowl.
Andy Kelly and Tee Martin are the only UT quarterbacks on this list to play on two SEC Championship teams. Kelly played on SEC Championship teams in 1989 and 1990, while Martin played on the 1997 and 1998 SEC Championship teams.
Martin is the only signal-caller on the list with a National Championship.

Vols Really Are The Big Orange

The first thing I noticed at media day Saturday was how much larger some of the Vols were.

Forget the sizes listed on the roster. The Big Orange is now truthfully the Big Orange.
Tennessee has a dozen players listed at 300 pounds or larger. But, I’ll assure you that there are more than that above the 300-pound mark.

Not only is the Tennessee football team larger physically, but the Vols are obviously stronger too.

Back-up quarterback B.J. Coleman said he has gained 22 pounds since he reported to the Vols in 2007 and is much stronger.

Super sophomore Eric Berry (now around 210 pounds) has gained 15 pounds and today looks more like a linebacker than a safety.

He’s not alone. Tackle Demonte Bolden (6-5, 295) is massive in size compared to 2007.

Offensive lineman Jacques McClendon (6-3, 320) broke all school records when he bench pressed 645 pounds. That’s sick. He’ was a big guy before the weight training ritual turned him into a beast.

My first thoughts when I saw Jacques was how this broad shouldered lineman gets through a door without turning sideways.

Vladimir Richard (6-4, 300) and Anthony Parker (6-3, 300) are other offensive lineman who look gargantuan now.
Richard joined McClendon by benching more than 600 pounds in the offseason too.

But the player who caught my eye who had made the largest jump in size was not one of the hogs up front.

When freshman Rod Wilks was a 6-1, 185-pound wide receiver catching passes from Sonny Gray at Smyrna High the past two seasons he was a sleek speedster who always managed to be one step quicker than his defenders.

He’s now 6-1, 220 pounds and has been moved to safety where he will join his brother Marsalous Johnson (CB) in the secondary.

Coach Phil Fulmer said Wednesday that Wilks would likely get on the field sooner in the secondary where the Vols need depth at safety.

If bigger equates to better look for the Vols to be much improved in 2008.

2008 Reebok Phenoms Announced

CHATTANOOGA – Varsity Sports Media’s Tennessee Football magazine is proud to announce the 2008 Reebok Tennessee Football Phenoms. The Reebok Phenoms signify the very best high school players in the state, regardless of classification.

College football programs nationwide are learning that Tennessee has more quality players than has been publicized by the recruiting services in the past.

Tennessee Football magazine has a mission to promote student athletes throughout the state in a positive and professional manner.

Those listed here on the Reebok Phenoms first, second and third teams are considered top prospects who will likely play at the next level.

Talent evaluators, media, and both college and prep coaches were consulted in selecting the Tennessee Reebok Phenoms.

For everything football in Tennessee
it’s http://www.tennfb.com/.

Reebok Phenoms

OFFENSE
QB Will Gilchrist, 6-2, 185, 4.6, Hardin Co
An intelligent leader with a knack of making the right decisions, Gilchrist is a high-completion passer with a good arm. He has committed to Memphis.

RB Gabriel Hunter, 5-11, 180, 4.5, Kingsbury
Good speed, good balance, cuts on a dime and when the hole opens Hunter has another gear. He ran for 2,679 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2007. Has committed to Ole Miss after offers from Tennessee, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Mississippi and Memphis.

RB David Jones, 6-0, 200, 4.5, South Pittsburg
Jones is a pure athlete with great lateral movement, who could end up playing defense in college. He was named the TSSAA State Championship Game Defensive MVP. Memphis, MTSU, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt have offered.

TE Thad McHaney, 6-5, 220, 4.8, Brentwood Academy
He's a large physical tight end that has the frame to play much bigger. McHaney is a good blocker and loves to be physical. He’s on the radar with offers from Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Marshall, Oregon and Oklahoma.

WR Marlon Brown, 6-5, 205, 4.5, Harding Academy
Brown has elite speed for his size with huge hands and long arms. He has great feet and at 6-5 runs and cuts like a 5-7 scatback. Offers are rolling in from all the major programs.

WR Zach Rogers, 6-2, 178, 4.35, David Lipscomb
Rogers’ play is like a how-to-video on football. He’s a combination of the Energizer Bunny and a bolt of lightning. Everybody who sees him play wants this big-play athlete. He has committed to Tennessee.

OL Austin Long, 6-5, 270, 5.1, Briarcrest
With Long, it starts with athleticism. He’s top-notch as a drive or pass blocker and works well in 3-point and 2-point stances. Long committed to Georgia after getting more than 20 major offers.

OL Alex Bullard, 6-3, 270, 4.9, Brentwood Academy
Bullard is physical and punishes his opponents with his arm strength. He plays every down like it was his last. However, he’s already committed to Notre Dame and may one day play professionally.

OL Sean Conway, 6-3, 285, 5.1, Father RyanConway is an athletic drive blocker who never takes a play off. He’s strong and has enough talent to make a solid Division I guard, one who can play at the Southeastern Conference level.

OL Will Jackson, 6-4, 280, 5.1, Knox. Farragut
Jackson is a prototype guard who comes off the ball low and hard and punishes defenders. However, he’s a technician that is consistent each play and loves to pull. He committed to Georgia Tech after offers from West Virginia, Wake Forest, MTSU and Vanderbilt.

OL Kevin Revis, 6-4, 270, 5.2, Rhea County
Revis is a projected college center, who has committed to Tennessee. He’s very intelligent on the field and in the classroom. Revis is a hard-nosed kid who knows what a pancake is.

PK Kyle Lehning, 5-10, 170, David Lipscomb
Lehning has a strong and accurate leg. He holds the TSSAA record for the most extra points without a miss.


DEFENSE

DE Daniel Hood, 6-5, 255, 4.9, Knox. Catholic
Hood is football-tough and never stops. He can play in college on either side of the ball. Auburn, Louisville, Georgia Tech and Tennessee have extended offers.

DE Dominique Allen, 6-0, 250, 4.6, Henry Co.
Allen is a beast on both sides of the ball. He ran for more than 1,500 yards and 30 TDs in 2007, and is a force on defense as well. The combination of strength, speed and athleticism put him on top of all lists. Nevertheless, Allen has committed to Tennessee.

DL Miguel Sanchez, 6-1, 250, 4.9, Red Bank
Sanchez is a bad man on the gridiron. He thrives on contact and punishes blockers and runners. Opponents are forced to double and triple-team him. He’s flying under the radar so far. However, that will soon change.

DL Justin Smith, 6-0, 252, 4.9, Maryville
Smith anchors the Maryville defense for Coach George Quarles. “He knows how to use hands, beat blocks, and he's getting a lot of interest,” Quarles said. “At that level (Division I), you've got to fit in the box. He needs to go to the camps and run well, but he can play."

LB Derrick Webb, 6-1, 220, 4.6, Whitehaven
Webb squeezes the green before making big hits. He plays sideline to sideline and never runs down. Middle Tennessee and Ole Miss have already made offers and more are to come.

LB DeMarcus Knight, 6-2, 230, 4.6, Morristown East
Knight committed to Ole Miss and now all the scouts are coming around to see what they missed. He’s big, fast, plays with passion and likes to hit. In other words, Knight is what coaches look for in a linebacker.

LB Cole Lail, 6-0, 220, 4.7, William Blount
He’s old-school tough and proved it by beating death last winter. Lail came off of a ventilator to return to the field in the spring. He’s fun to see play unless you have a football in your hand.

CB Eric Gordon, 5-11, 188, 4.4, Hillsboro
Gordon has great instincts that could make him an outstanding cover cornerback in college. His closing speed is special. Alabama, Tennessee, Colorado and Oklahoma are just a few of the many who have made offers.

CB Gene Robinson, 5-10, 180, 4.5, Whitehaven
This kid has stardom written all over him. Robinson hits like a kick from a mule hoof and runs like a deer. College offers have come from Alabama, Colorado, Vanderbilt, Memphis, North Carolina and Southern Miss.

S Marsalis Teague, 5-10, 170, 4.5, Henry County
Wow! Teague may be the best prep athlete playing football in Tennessee. He’s a quarterback, but will play either receiver or defensive back at the next level. He has many offers, including Tennessee, Clemson, Miami and North Carolina.

S Jay Fullam, 6-1, 190, 4.5, McCallie
Fullam’s tackles pack a punch. He’s aggressive like a linebacker and uses his speed to find the football. Fullam is another throwback player who is fun to watch on both sides of the ball. He committed to Vanderbilt early.

P Josh Davis, 5-11 190, 4.6, Rhea County
Davis was a preseason All-State selection and punted for a 43-yard net average in 2007. He has a strong leg and hit a 66-yarder last season. Davis has received attention from Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Memphis and MTSU.

Second Team

OFFENSE
QB Chris Campbell, 6-4, 195, Briarcrest
RB Darren Garner, 5-9, 167, William Blount
RB Tavares Jefferson, 5-10, 170, Ensworth
TE Cameron Mason, 6-4, 225, Brentwood
WR Corey Jordan, 6-0, 193, Hillsboro
WR Bo Gilroy, 6-1, 180, Ravenwood
OL Hunter Beedle, 6-3, 261, Sullivan South
OL Tyler Eady, 6-3, 290, Smyrna
OL Deonte Cruse, 6-2, 280, Siegel

OL Wesley Johnson, 6-5, 240, MBA
OL Aaron Nations, 6-4, 300, Friendship Christian
PK Hendrix Brakefield, 6-3, 180, Hillsboro

DEFENSE

DE Cordarrol Mitchell, 6-3, 268, Hillcrest
DE Cole Tischer, 6-4, 225, Brentwood

DL Barry Dabney, 6-2, 250, Brentwood Academy
DL Alex Smithson, 6-2, 275, Riverdale
LB Evan Webb, 6-2, 225, David Lipscomb
LB Gunner Miller, 6-1, 210, East Ridge
LB Joseph Bennett, 6-1, 200, CAK
CB Jamal Ramsey, 6-3, 185, BGA
CB Monte Scotton, 6-0, 180, Cleveland
S Mitchell Stoffer, 6-0, 185, Father Ryan
S Jamal Starnes, 6-1, 175, Franklin
P Brandon Reagan 5-11, 199, Bearden


Third Team

OFFENSE
QB Nathan Jolley, 6-2, 200, Houston
RB James Walker, 6-0, 205, Houston
RB Markus Cantrell, 5-10, 185, Maplewood
TE Rob Grabill, 6-3, 255, Knox. Karns
WR Carl Brady, 6-2, 188, Raleigh-Egypt
WR Gino Norwood, 6-2, 182, Ooltewah
OL Deonte Newsome, 6-3, 270, Maplewood
OL Cliff Jones, 6-3, 270, MUS
OL Austin King, 6-5, 270, Briarcrest Christian

OL Dalton Hudson, 6-6, 240, David Lipscomb
OL Jebb Lenhart, 6-4, 295, Pigeon Forge
PK Christian Prudhome, 5-9, 160, Johnson Co

DEFENSE

DE Matthew Shelton, 6-4, 230, Cordova
DE Jamar Neal, 6-1, 245, Battle Ground Academy

DL Romerio Cathey, 6-3, 270, Maplewood
DL Ryan Carrethers, 6-1, 285, Brentwood Academy
LB Nick Nelms, 5-11, 215, Houston
LB Michael Saggio, 6-3, 200, David Lipscomb
LB William Harris, 5-11, 200, Goodpasture
CB Sammy Seamster, 6-3, 185, Ooltewah
CB Benjamin Cunningham, 5-11, 195, Goodpasture
S Alex Crutcher, 6-0, 195, Hillsboro
S Bryant Belew, 6-4, 196, Columbia Central
P Kyle Youmans, 5-8 165, Dyersburg

It's All Worth It

Working with athletes is a wonderful and rewarding experience. Much of the wisdom and the many of the lessons learned have come from working with kids.

In addition, no matter how old the athletes participating get there’s always a little bit of a kid in all of them.

Saturday at the Tennessee Volunteers Media Day, I talked with many of the orange-clad football gladiators that millions across the state cheer for each game in the fall.

The Tennessee football players are often worshipped, praised, scrutinized, and at times cussed by their fans and opponents' fans.

Nevertheless, Saturday I watched as some of the gladiators let their guard down and showed there’s a little boy in each and every one of them.

While coaching kids to catch a baseball, or make a block or tackle in football the rewards are often obvious for the coaches.

But in the media business, you're not there in their dorms, dens and bedrooms when they pick up one of your stories and read it.

When my wife Deb gave Arian Foster a copy of the 2008 Tennessee Football magazine at Media Day I got to see his reaction as he thumbed through the pages and smiled at pictures of him and words praising his abilities.

Foster told redshirt freshman quarterback B.J. Coleman he wanted a copy of the picture of him flexing to show off his King Tut tattoo in the magazine to put on his wall.

Moments later, she handed super sophomore Eric Berry a magazine with his picture featured on the cover.

As the day came to an end and the players exited to head off to lunch Berry was sitting backwards on the back of a gator riding up the hill still looking through the Tennessee Football magazine.

At that point, it was clear that even a managing editor of an annual football magazine and those who toiled to make the 2008 edition possible could make a difference too.

To see a pair of football players who will likely one day make millions as National Football League stars smile as if their third grade teacher had just given them a star sticker was worth it all.

For those short moments, Foster and Berry were humble and appreciative young men saying thank you.
I would like to take this space to say thank you to them and all of the players who are a part of the Tennessee Football magazine.

These old eyes see things now in a different perspective.

_ Stump Martin

Greatest Team Ever

The greatest team ever to play in Tennessee, and possibly in America is not one of the typical state powers.

Maryville, Brentwood Academy, Dobyns-Bennett, Trousdale County, the once-feared Chattanooga Central and Oak Ridge are just a few that come to mind.

Nonetheless, possibly the greatest dynasty is a mystery team once known as Bedford County Training Center.

This was a public school for African Americans in Shelbyville, Tennessee that was open for more than 30 years prior to segregation.

The Fighting Tigers football team carved out a bit of national history with an unbelievable 78-0-4 record from 1943 to 1950.

Nobody is quite sure who the Bedford County Training Center played. But they are positive that the school set a National Federation record that likely will never be broken with 52 consecutive shutouts from 1942 until 1949.

Coach Edward Finley’s team went nine years without giving up a single point. In addition, the Fighting Tigers nine years of undefeated football tops the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association record book.

The school was later renamed Harris High before it merged with Central High in 1967.

The building that once housed the school has been turned into an office complex.

The people of Shelbyville believe the state’s best team played there in the 1940's.

Read more in the Hot Reads section of the 2008 edition of the Tennessee Football magazine now at your favorite bookstore.