The patchwork secondary that Tennessee sends on the field Saturday against Alabama will not only have the distinction of being the youngest unit in the SEC.

It also will be the youngest of Phillip Fulmer era.

Consider that the combined total of 23 career starts of the Vols' starting four defensive backs is just over half of the 41 starts that last year's starting safety, Rashad Baker, had at the end of his career.

Two freshman cornerbacks, Jonathan Hefney and Roshaun Fellows, will be joined by sophomore strong safety Jarod Parrish and junior free safety Jason Allen in the Vols' starting lineup. Parrish replaces junior Brandon Johnson, who was indefinitely suspended from the team this week following his arrest for allegedly firing a handgun into the air at an off-campus apartment complex.

Hefney and Fellows are prohibited from speaking to the media about their season because of UT's ban on freshman player interviews, except by special permission. Allen was asked his thoughts about his leadership role in the youthful secondary. After several off-the-field incidents, UT can ill afford another suspension.

"I just have to do what I've been doing the whole season and lead by example,'' Allen said.

"Coach (Larry) Slade talks to us all the time about being responsible and how the decisions you make carry with you for life. It means a lot to me to have a coach to talk to me about things like that.

"I take what he tells me and what my parents taught me and bring that type of leadership to the football field. Jonathan Hefney comes to me and asks me questions about how we play different situations because I played the corner position. I try to help him out."

Allen began the season at right cornerback, where Hefney plays, but was moved to free safety after the first game to replace Corey Campbell. Allen has made 14 career starts.

Hefney has five career starts, Fellows four and Parrish none.

"A lot of guys can do it in practice but you have to be able to do it when the bright lights are on,'' Allen said when asked about Parrish.

"I have confidence in him. He's getting better each week."

Tennessee's two starting freshmen in the secondary equals the combined total at the other 11 SEC schools. Other than Hefney and Fellows, the only SEC freshman starting at defensive back are Arkansas cornerback Matteral Richardson and South Carolina free safety Ko Simpson.

LSU, Ole Miss and Auburn are the only teams that do not start at least one freshman on offense or defense.

"To be a freshman and play and make an impact you do have to be a special player," LSU coach Nick Saban said.

"I do think there are positions there are a little easier to do that at - probably running back and wide receiver on offense because you are creating the action."

Gary Lundy may be reached at 865-342-6274.