Strong safety by committee. That's how Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis sums up the Vols' most troublesome position.

The committee has a new member, although he won't surface Saturday when Notre Dame visits Neyland Stadium.

Antwan Stewart has returned to the practice field this week for the first time since a left knee injury on April 13 during a spring practice put him on the surgeon's table. Stewart, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, is working some at strong safety, though, instead of cornerback.

"He's a physical guy,'' secondary coach Larry Slade said Tuesday, "and I think he'll do well. But again, that's yet to be proven whether he can do it or not.''

Stewart won't play Saturday. The plan is to see how he's looking after the Nov. 13 open date.

"If he can get out there and give us some snaps at safety that last couple of games, that would be a tremendous bonus for us,'' said Slade.

Stewart started five games at cornerback in 2003. He already redshirted in '02, thus any snaps UT could get out of him late this year would be better than nothing.

While he's been in rehab mode, freshmen Jonathan Hefney and Roshaun Fellows have taken over at corner and are growing into the job.

"If Hefney and Fellows and (Jonathan) Wade and (Antonio) Gaines and some of those guys keep going the way they're going, that would certainly help us keep Stewart at safety,'' Slade said.

"But we're not going to lose sight of having a lock-down corner. Antwan was having an outstanding spring before he got hurt.''

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said he was encouraged with Wade's recent progress at cornerback, but added, "I wish I could say the same of the safety position opposite Jason Allen.''

Allen is having a banner year at free safety. Strong safety, however, has been a different story.

The starter has changed almost weekly: Brandon Johnson, Corey Campbell, Johnson again, Jarod Parrish, Campbell again.

"Go back and check your notes,'' Chavis instructed the media. "I said at the beginning of the season we lost two grown men at safety, guys who were great tacklers.''

He was referring to free safety Rashad Baker and strong safety Gibril Wilson, both of whom are on NFL rosters. Allen has admirably stepped up in Baker's slot, but the Vols have found no answer for Wilson.

"It's completely by committee,'' said Chavis, "and there could be nine guys on that committee.''

Johnson had gotten a grip on the job, only to be suspended following his arrest after the Oct. 16 win at Ole Miss.

"All of a sudden you lose a guy you know can do it,'' said Chavis, "so now we're hunting and pecking for the right guy.''

That's why Corey Larkins and Robert Boulware are getting looks at the position -- and now Stewart.

Someone on the committee would do well to rise to Allen's level.

"What Jason Allen has brought to the (free) safety position is the ability to tackle,'' said Slade. "When the ball breaks the line of scrimmage you like to see it tackled.

"There are some plays our guys have to grade 100 percent and that's one of them. When that ball is out in the open field you can't grade 90 percent because if you do, they score.''

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knews.com.