Richie Gandy had no illusions when he signed with Tennessee - only desire.

A chunky 290-pounder coming out of high school in Darlington, S.C., Gandy more closely resembled a giant Pillsbury doughboy than a future starting offensive lineman.

"I knew when I got here it would be two to three years before I played,'' Gandy said. "I was terrible.''

Three years later, at a solid 310 pounds, Gandy is proving invaluable. A rash of injuries have forced No. 15 UT (8-2, 6-1 SEC) to play various offensive line combinations, pressing Gandy into service.

Gandy started at center and wound up playing four different line positions in the Vols' 38-33 win over Vanderbilt last Saturday.

Center Jason Respert (hand) is expected back for Saturday's home game against Kentucky (2-8, 1-6), but Cody Douglas (foot) is still out, so there's a good chance Gandy will see duty once again.

Moving around was a difficult chore, but Gandy is the last player you'll hear complaining. A year ago, he was just happy to get in against Vanderbilt late in the third quarter after the Vols built an insurmountable lead.

Prior to last season, Gandy's playing time was limited to scrimmages. He still remembers being thrown into the fire as a true freshman.

"I remember my first year here when I was on scout team defense going up against (John) Henderson and (Albert) Haynesworth,'' Gandy said with a chuckle. "That will humble you in a minute.''

Game days used to do the same.

"It hurt like crazy to see the guys leave here for away games and know you're not getting on the bus with them,'' said Gandy, a junior who redshirted his first year with the Vols. "I'd just stay in Gibbs (Hall) and watch football all day. It was a bad feeling, knowing you couldn't be there for the celebrations after the game.''

Gandy said not traveling to Notre Dame nor being there for the Vols' dramatic win at The Swamp were particularly tough times.

"I didn't get to go to the SEC championship game, either; that's why I'm so excited about going this year,'' he said.

One key to Gandy's is that he stayed realistic about his situation throughout his career.

"Early on, mainly it was physical,'' Gandy said. "I'd leave there (weight room) thinking, 'How long will this take?' It was more motivation for me. (Jason) Respert and (Michael) Munoz were so far ahead of me.''

UT weight coach Johnny Long smiled when asked about Gandy's progress in the weight room the past three years.

"Gosh, he certainly didn't have the strength level others had at that point and time,'' Long said. "But in three years, we've seen him do all the extra things that it takes. I think now he understands why I was on him more than anyone, because I knew the potential was there.''

Long said Gandy has increased his squat lift by 200 pounds, his bench press by 150 pounds and his power clean by 100 pounds.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer has enjoyed watching Gandy grow within the program.

"It's very gratifying to see what Richie has done,'' Fulmer said. "I'm proud of Richie and the way he's stayed the course. He's been tremendously unselfish with what we've asked him to do, and he's a great example of a student athlete.''

Fulmer said he wasn't concerned that Gandy wasn't the highest-ranked lineman in South Carolina when the Vols signed him.

"You could see he was a good athlete, he had good character and he came from a good family,'' Fulmer said. "Richie is a tough guy.''

Gandy said he was sold on Tennessee after meeting the assistant who recruited him, defensive coordinator John Chavis.

"We hit it off from the get-go,'' Gandy said. "Coach Chavis is tough-minded, and I'd like to think I am, too. He told me not to listen to everybody that was probably going to bad-mouth me for signing with UT.''

Gandy heard from many that he would never play for the Vols, but he refused to be deterred.

"Playing time wasn't an issue for me coming in,'' Gandy said. "I wanted to win championships. I knew deep down I could play here.''

As it turns out, Gandy is playing here, there and everywhere for the Vols.