The depth chart is a constant concern of football coaches.

When there's a big drop-off from the starter to the backup, coaches lament a lack of depth. When there's only a sliver of difference from the first to second player at a position, the coaches worry that no one has "separated himself."

Coaches are greedy. They want it all.

And that's why you won't hear UT's offensive coaches bragging about their depth.

The Vols rarely have had so many players so closely bunched at the skill positions. From quarterback to running back to wide receiver, you can't be sure who's No. 1.

Four guys are competing for the starting quarterback job. Three are vying to be the No. 1 tailback. The wide receivers are almost too numerous to mention.

There's depth. There's not separation.

The uncertainty isn't all bad, particularly at running back. As much as UT might want one tailback - Cedric Houston, Jabari Davis or Gerald Riggs - to emerge as a star player, it at least has the security of knowing an injury to any one of the three won't wreck the offense. Houston has twice rushed for more than 700 yards, and Davis has twice rushed for more than 500 yards. Riggs, who rushed for 207 yards, has great potential, if not production.

It's almost impossible to make it through the SEC with only one good running back. Everyone remembers how freshman Justin Vincent starred in LSU's SEC and national championship games, but three other tailbacks led the team in rushing in at least one game; five different running backs had 191 yards or more rushing.

It wasn't much different for SEC East champion Georgia, where leading rusher Michael Cooper rushed for 673 yards, but three other tailbacks had at least 276 yards rushing. Florida's top three rushers were separated by only 55 yards - from 540 to 595.

Auburn's Carnell Williams might be the league's premier running back, but Ronnie Brown has rushed for 1,794 career yards despite playing mostly as a backup.

UT offensive coordinator Randy Sanders can appreciate the need for depth. But he wants a star, too.

"When we had Charlie Garner, Aaron Hayden and James Stewart (in 1993), we played all three guys," he said. "If either of them were here now, they would be playing all the time. All three of them had taken their game to the next level.

"They were all up here (raising his right hand). Right now, we've got guys down here. Let's at least get one of them up here.

"I'd still rather have one great guy. If he got hurt, then we could go back to where we are right now."

Wide receivers coach Pat Washington concurs.

"You want depth," he said. "But give me the great player and I'll take my chances. Now, we have depth and potentially great players."

Potential is what makes this competition so intriguing at every skill position.

Houston and Davis have been more productive at running back, yet Riggs - based on his play in scrimmages - has shown more potential. C. J. Leak and Rick Clausen have more experience at quarterback, but freshmen Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer have more potential.

Senior Tony Brown has more career catches than the other receivers while redshirt freshman Robert Meachem hasn't played in a college game. Yet Meachem was so impressive in preseason last year, many believe he could be UT's next big-time receiver.

Junior Chris Hannon is also bigger on potential than production, although he did catch seven touchdown passes last fall. He's 6-foot-4, has run 40 yards in 4.31 seconds and shown significant improvement since last season, according to his coaches.

"He has made progress to be a special player," Washington said. "He's had improvement in his route running, understanding how to use his speed to advantage."

And that could lead to separation.

John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.