Not-fancy Yancey is No. 2 tailback

On Thursday, Tennessee running backs coach Trooper Taylor said Yancey, a walk-on, is the second-string tailback behind starter Gerald Riggs Jr.

Yancey began his career at UT as a walk-on in 2002. He was awarded a scholarship for one academic year in August 2004 after an impressive pre-season camp.

Yancey has played in eight games at UT, seven last year. He rushed for 59 yards on 13 carries in the Cotton Bowl, his most productive output of his career. Yancey has rushed for 137 yards while at UT and returned two kickoffs for 31 yards.

The junior didn't figure into the tailback mix this season with two redshirt freshmen and two highly touted incoming freshman competing for the backup role.

"I'm going to play the ones that will get it done," Taylor said.

The opportunity for Yancey came due to shortcomings in players ahead of him. Freshman Arian Foster has concerned coaches with a recent recurrence of fumbling problems.

Foster's ball carrying was a concern last season. Taylor said Foster showed improvement on such fundamentals at the beginning of camp but fumbled recently as a result of carrying the ball away from his body.

"I'm not going to put guys in the game that put the ball on the ground," Taylor said.

Freshman Montario Hardesty has been sidelined with a bruised thigh. Hardesty returned to practice Thursday.

Both backs will have at least one last chance to impress UT coaches and climb the depth chart. UT is expected to hold a scrimmage period today.

"They've got a long way to go to beat Yancey," Taylor said. "They better have a perfect 9-8 (scrimmage drill)."

All eyes will be on Hardesty who was one of the most-impressive true freshmen to begin camp. Taylor said Hardesty would have likely been in the second-team position if not for his injury.

"He's got to get healthy," Taylor said.

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said 275-pound junior fullback Cory Anderson could be the second team tailback after Tuesday night's scrimmage. Fulmer said he hoped that statement motivated those vying for the backup tailback position.

"David is in the mix," Fulmer said. "He's a guy that's been very productive in everything that he's done here. There's a group of them right there in the pack."

Hold Your Horses: Fulmer disappointed some of the assembled media by not naming a starting quarterback.

"There's no big announcement," Fulmer said after a two-hour practice in shorts and shoulder pads. "We're still in the evaluation process. We'll let you know when we know and decide."

Fulmer's indecision or reluctance to name Rick Clausen or Erik Ainge as the starter is a bit surprising. Fulmer said he planned to name a starter before game week.

"I said that early," Fulmer said. "I should have my butt kicked for saying that. ... We have two guys that we think we can win with. I don't see the sense of urgency right now to go out and do something before we're ready to do it. "

UT plays host ot UAB on Sept. 3.

Ready: After nearly a month of pre-season practice, senior linebacker Jason Mitchell is ready to start the season.

"We're anxious to see where were at as a team," Mitchell said. "To see where our weaknesses are and our pluses are to prepare our self. We're anxious to see where we're at."

Since the NCAA limited two-a-day practices, schools have been forced to lengthen the time period in which to hold their allotted number of practices. Fulmer said he tried to break up the long camp with a picnic and pool trip.

"I think everybody is anxious to play," Fulmer said. "It's a long time. I think we're all ready to play and see what we've got."

Sluggish: Fulmer said UT's offense wasn't up to par on Thursday. Fulmer alluded to school starting on Wednesday as a possible reason for the poor performance.

Injury Report: Junior defensive back Jonathan Wade (hip flexor) did not practice but ran agility drills on the sideline.

Still Waiting: Freshman defensive lineman Gerald Williams is still awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse and did not practice.