Swain's greatest catch for Vols was Ainge

Never mind the statistics. Consider Swain's recruiting.

The sophomore wide receiver from Huntsville, Ala., helped show freshman quarterback Erik Ainge around town when Ainge took his official visit to UT.

"He said, 'With all these receivers, I'm coming here,' " Swain said. "He gave me his phone number."

Nonetheless, Swain wasn't completely convinced, particularly since Ainge lived in faraway Hilllsboro, Ore.

"On signing day, he kept his word," Swain said.

So far, it has worked out great for UT's deep corps of receivers and the precocious freshman quarterback. Ainge leads the SEC and ranks fourth nationally in pass efficiency. He has thrown eight touchdown passes in three games despite sharing time with fellow freshman quarterback Brent Schaeffer.

It didn't take Ainge long to make an impression on his receivers - in more ways than one. "You had to put the gloves on," said Swain in reference to Ainge's strong arm. The receivers haven't had trouble holding on to Ainge's fastballs in games. Seven receivers have caught passes, and five have a reception covering more than 30 yards.

Bret Smith leads in touchdowns with three. Robert Meachem leads in yards per catch with a gaudy 29.5-yard average on his only two receptions.

Smith leads in receiving yards with 126. Chris Hannon leads in number of receptions with 11.

But Swain leads in recruiting quarterbacks.