UT's center of attention: Lots of possibilities

Tennessee worked four different players at center during Saturday night's scrimmage. Junior Rob Smith started the practice followed by redshirt freshman Anthony Parker, sophomore Michael Frogg and freshman Josh McNeil.

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer also worked with senior Cody Douglas and junior Aaron Sears before practice. Ultimately, Smith got most of the meaningful work.

"We may come back on Tuesday and Cody Douglas may get most of the first team snaps," offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens said. "Anthony Parker, we wanted to see what he could do."

Smith, who started fall practice at left guard, said he has been snapping all day long over the past three days since senior Richie Gandy suffered a knee injury.

Gandy is the second center to suffer an injury since practice started Aug. 5. Junior David Ligon suffered a high ankle sprain. Both are likely out until mid-September.

Smith's insertion into the starting lineup was a bit of a surprise. Most expected Douglas to be the first up.

"You'd like to leave both guards at their position so you stay good there and then you just have to bring along the center," Stephens said. "Right now, we have to get two positions better."

Stephens said freshman Ramon Foster will be a first-team guard if either Douglas or Smith are moved permanently to center. Stephens said Parker has a good, consistent snap and did a good job on Saturday.

Stephens said Smith is slightly more consistent than Douglas as far as snapping the ball.

"I already know the X's and O's," Smith said when asked if he could start at center immediately. "I would be a little rough at certain things but I could make some good blocks because I made some really good blocks today at center. I drove people and put them down."

Smith said his ball security was good except for one bobble.

"I'd say center," Smith said when asked to predict where he would start the season. "That's what I'm going to do in my mind so I'll be prepared if it comes."

Soaring Safeties: UT's first-team safeties played much better in Saturday's scrimmage as opposed to a week ago. Junior Antwan Stewart and sophomore Jonathan Wade both had interceptions.

"They are ahead of schedule," defensive backs coach Larry Slade said. "You have two guys out there that have not played, have not made the checks and all that stuff."

Hefney's interception came as he darted in front of a receiver on a slightly under thrown pass by senior quarterback Rick Clausen.

"We took the criticism from last week and moved forward; we didn't dwell on it a long time," Hefney said. "I'm very confident and I think Antwan's confident too."

Stewart's interception came against sophomore quarterback Erik Ainge. On another play, Stewart dropped what would have been an interception and possible touchdown return.

"As long as we stay true to the coverages, we'll have an opportunity to make plays," Stewart said. "Everybody knows I'd like to have that one back."

Said Slade, "Those safeties have to get used to angles. Both of those guys played corner (earlier in their career). They made a lot of progress but we're still searching for consistency. They're starting to play more as a unit. They're still learning but they are a lot more comfortable than last week."

Slick's Series: UT freshman wide receiver Slick Shelley made two key receptions that helped the Vols to a score. Shelley caught a 41-yard pass from backup quarterback Jim Bob Cooter then caught an 8-yard touchdown pass on the next play.

"He's just like all those other freshman guys," Clausen said, referring to freshman receivers Josh Briscoe and Lucas Taylor. "He's anxious and taking the initiative to learn. They're trying to get on the bus (and make the travel roster)."

Big Hit No. 1: Sophomore linebacker Ryan Karl laid a momentum stopping hit on freshman tailback LaMarcus Coker. Karl leapt over UT's linemen on a goal line drill to make the play.

"That was great," Karl said. "You saw how excited I was. I got up screaming."

Big Hit No. 2: Junior linebacker Daniel Brooks hammered UT freshman quarterback Dylan Dickey, who is from Farragut High School. The hit must have been what UT coaches were looking for. They ended practice immediately thereafter.

Recruiting Visitors: Tight end Michael Goggans from Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, Ala., and quarterback Justin Roper from Buford High School in Buford, Ga., visited practice.

Tight end/defensive end Lee Smith from Powell and tight end Luke Stocker from Madison High School in Berea, Ky., also visited. Both are UT commitments.

Visitors: Mayor Bill Haslam walked the sidelines. Former Vols Will Overstreet and David Leaverton were also in attendance.

MIA: Freshman tailback Ja'Kouri Williams (knee), freshman linebacker Rico McCoy (ankle/foot), freshman defensive lineman Gerald Williams (unspecified), junior receiver Jayson Swain (knee), junior defensive back Jarod Parrish (knee), junior cornerback Jonathan Wade (Achilles tendon), Ligon (ankle) and Gandy (knee) did not practice Saturday.