Campbell's comeback honored

Campbell was one of four Vols to earn Most Improved Spring Honors.

"Corey Campbell, who really was deep in the doghouse, has worked hard to get himself back to a position that ... he can be counted on,'' UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "At the beginning of spring we were looking for anybody that could play safety. He's closed that gap.''

Campbell picked off two passes and started three games as a true freshman, but his highlight was a bone-crunching blow that sent former Miami All-America tight end Kelvin Winslow into a profanity-laced tirade in a post-game interview.

Winslow claimed the Vols were trying to hurt him, "gunning for my legs,'' and remarked he was a "(expletive) soldier'' on the football field.

Linebacker Ryan Karl was the other defensive recipient ofthe Andy Spiva Award, which goes to the most-improved defenders.

Karl, a 6-0, 210-pounder from Franklin, appeared in 11 games last year and recorded his first interception to close the 38-7 Cotton Bowl win over Texas A&M.

"What a competitor,'' defensive coordinator John Chavis said. "We knew he was a good athlete, and he's a guy who's going to play a lot of football for us.''

The most-improved offensive players, who received the Harvey Robinson Award, are junior center David Ligon and freshman guard Ramon Foster.

Ligon, a 6-5, 300-pounder from Memphis, was recruited as a defensive lineman, moved to offensive guard and stands atop the depth chart at center. Foster, a 6-6, 340-pound redshirt freshman, is second team at right guard.

UT offensive coordinator Randy Sanders was impressed with Ligon's drive, and credited Fulmer for having the foresight to move Ligon to center.

"Going into last spring, I wouldn't have given a nickel for his chances,'' Sanders said. "That's one of Phillip Fulmer's big strengths. Every other person on the staff didn't think he (Ligon) would help us, but coach wanted it. And coach will not give up on one until he has no choice.''

Foster has worked his way into the offensive line rotation despite undergoing surgery in the offseason.

"Ramon has constantly improved,'' Sanders said. "He had surgery (foot) right after the bowl game so he had a little bit of a slow start, but he really has done well.''

The award winners, selected annually by the coaching staff, have been chosen at the conclusion of spring practice since 1979. They are named for Robinson, a former UT player (1929-32), assistant coach (1946-52, 1960-63) and head coach (1953-54), and for Spiva, the outstanding Vols linebacker from 1973-76.

Mighty Meachem: UT junior receiver Robert Meachem exits spring as another of the more-improved offensive players, according to Sanders.

"Robert Meachem has increased his understanding of the offense, and that's big,'' Sanders said. "He has worked his tail off every day.''

Texas Two-Step: Sanders said some of the things the Vols incorporated into their offense from their offseason visit to Texas involve the passing game.

"There's just a couple of different routes we've added,'' Sanders said. "It gives us more flexibility.''

Super Toe: Senior offensive tackle Albert Toeaina was the only projected starting offensive lineman to take all the practice repetitions this spring, and it couldn't have happened to a better guy.

"Albert made a lot of progress this spring,'' Sanders said. "He needed a lot of work. At times last season he played really good, and at times he was pretty average. When he's really into it and excited, he can be pretty good.''

Riveting: Kingston High School graduate Michael Frogg, a non-scholarship player, could find his way into the offensive line rotation.

"He's a guy that is going to know what to do and he'll get in there and fight you every time,'' Sanders said. "He's close to being in position to help us. I wouldn't have a problem using him in the games.''

Frogg saw his repetitions increase this spring when starting left guard Rob Smith suffered an offseason ankle injury that forced him to miss virtually all of spring drills.

Coming Back: Fulmer said he expects all 22 players who had surgery since the end of last season to be ready for fall drills with the exception of center Cameron Mayo.

Fullback David Holbert, who had shoulder surgery, is questionable for the start of fall drills.