Latest move for UT's Leak is to tight end

Leak, the sixth-year senior who hoped until last week to be Tennessee's starting quarterback, had been experimenting at strong safety. Friday, he moved to tight end.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Justin Reed has emerged as the first-teamer at tight end, with true freshman Chris Brown and redshirt freshman Brad Cottam in the mix.

Leak's offensive background and Victor McClure's indefinite suspension made the move to tight end, or H-Back, more logical than safety.

"He tried over there (at safety) and he did a good job, but it was going to take a long time to get him ready to play,'' said Fulmer.

"And, honestly, as much as anything, I felt like we owed it to him to get him on the field the quickest place we could. He's jumped in there like he's done everything else and had a great attitude.''

Fulmer said Leak has good hands, knows the pass routes and can read the defensive coverage.

As a blocker, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Leak wouldn't exactly be a bulldozer.

"I don't expect him to be a killer,'' Fulmer said, "but if he'll get in the way and fight like he did today, then he'll be just fine.''

Fulmer said he's "really happy with what Justin Reed has gotten done" and that the 6-7, 275-pound junior had earned the starting job regardless of anyone else's situation.

Cottam has been limited since aggravating a shoulder injury. He's been on non-contact status this week in order to have him available to practice next week for the Sept. 5 season-opener.

"Brad is growing up and has a lot of physical skills,'' Fulmer said. "He's trying to be physical. He's just got to get stronger.''

Brown, a 6-3, 235-pounder from Louisiana, has had a good fall camp.

"Chris is ready to help,'' said Fulmer. "Like even the quarterbacks, any freshman you have out there, there's going to be problems at different times, but Chris is a football player.''

McClure had the lone pass reception by a tight end last season. The new cast should be more active in that regard, but how much remains to be seen.

"If you've got a chance to put a fourth receiver in the game (instead of a tight end),'' Fulmer said, "we may choose to go that route, too.''

Mike Strange covers University of Tennessee sports. He may be reached at 865-342-6276.