Jesse Mahelona is not a spring-practice-type player.

That's not to say he's not a great player. In his first year playing defensive tackle for Tennessee, Mahelona led the Vols with 18A 1/2 tackles-for-loss last season.

The indictment of his spring production doesn't mean he's a poor practice player. Coaches and players have been so impressed with his work ethic and leadership skills that he was named a team captain this spring for the 2005 season.

However, Mahelona is not, and may never be, the type of player that can accept only 10-15 snaps during a scrimmage because he is considered a proven player.

"At times I question coaches when they try to save us," the 6-foot-2, 300 pound junior college transfer said. "I say, 'Can I go in? Can I go in?' I guess it's for the better ... I know where they're coming from. I just need to get healed and get better."

Despite his frustrations, discretion is the prudent course of action for Mahelona. After last season, the Hawaiian native is truly a known commodity. And he is still battling tendonitis from a 2004 season that ended over three months ago.

Still, the competitor in Mahelona fears complacency.

"I don't want to get it in my head where I don't have to improve and get better," he said.

Mahelona's short stint at UT has had a lasting impact. The stay has included an All-American award for his 2004 efforts and being named a team captain after only 15 months in Knoxville.

"It's surprising, but at the same time, it's a clear example of me doing what I need to do to get things done and being a part of the team," Mahelona said. "There were a lot of different emotions running though me. It's a big deal here at Tennessee. I'm proud. I hope I can lead the team to, hopefully, a national championship.

Mahelona said he has been besieged by phone calls since being named one of six team captains for UT in 2005. Mostly, the calls have come from a family six time zones away in Hawaii bursting with pride.

"My dad called me almost in tears telling me how proud he was of me," Mahelona said.

Few UT players have a 2005 season as full of promise as Mahelona. For now, he will try to force himself to be patient. That's not easy for a player who prides himself in going all out all the time.

"Right now, I just hope I make it to the NFL, stay healthy, and repeat the season I had last year," he said.