Jay Graham feels a little like the clock has been turned back in time.

He sits in the Tennessee football meeting rooms soaking up every piece of information he can.

Once again, he's listening and learning as UT coach Phillip Fulmer speaks.

It's almost like the mid-1990s when Graham was working towards becoming one of the best running backs in Tennessee history.

Only now he's a teacher as well as a student.

He's studying the style and drive demonstrated by running backs coach Trooper Taylor.

He's teaching Gerald Riggs Jr., David Yancey, Arian Foster, Ja'Kouri Williams, Montario Hardesty and LaMarcus Coker what it takes to succeed on the SEC level.

Just like his playing days, Graham is making an impact in his first full season as a UT graduate assistant coach.

His message is simple for this year's group of backs.

"They realize who has come before them and we tell them to try and keep that bar raised and raise it even more if at all possible," Graham said after practice on Thursday.

"I certainly do feel like it's a privilege to be a Tennessee running back and it's a privilege just being in that meeting room."

Graham ought to know.

He was in their shoes once. He felt the nerves and he admits to his share of mistakes as a Vols' running back from 1993-96.

He also ranks sixth on UT's all-time rushing chart, picking up 2,609 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Graham went on to spend six seasons in the NFL with Baltimore, Seattle and Green Bay. His professional career ended with a brief stint for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League in 2003.

That part of his life complete, coaching has become his new passion.

"I'm really learning also," Graham said. "I'm learning from Trooper. He tells me so much about coaching, but really I just try to share my experiences.

"Throughout my career, I've had success and failure. I try to guide them along the way -- what worked for me and what didn't work for me."

One of those players getting a lesson is Foster, a redshirt freshman from San Diego.

"He's really my mentor," Foster said of Graham. "He has been there and done everything.

"Coach Jay provides insight that not many people can provide because he has not only been at the running back position, he has been a running back here at Tennessee."

Graham knows what it's like to run through the 'T'. He knows what it's like to get the ball on third-and-2 with 80,000 Florida fans doing the chomp in the Swamp.

"He carries a lot of pride with himself and he tries to instill that in us," Foster said. "He tells us this game is about pride and passion and that's what a Tennessee running back stands for.

"I think he brings a whole other element to the coaching staff that's hard to find. He was a great back here. He was one of those pounders and bruisers that liked to take it at you. I try to implement that in my game and I just listen to everything he says."

Graham still looks like he could play today. He's young. He's in shape.

He's someone the 18-22-year-old UT backs can identify with and look up to.

"Jay has done a tremendous job, on the field and off," Fulmer said. "Having been a tailback in our offense, and having the pro football experience, he has instant credibility with our backs.

"They all want to go where he has been and that's nothing but a bonus for our program. Plus, he's a polite young man, husband and father, and really self-motivated. He's a good role model."

He's also extremely humble.

"I think this group (of backs) is way more talented than I was," he said. "I learn from them also, just how much the game has changed."

It wasn't long ago that Riggs dug out some old tape of Graham in action during his UT days.

"He said that's not what you told us to do on our footwork," Graham said. "I don't want to be embarrassed, but I said, 'Yeah, that's what I mean when I tell you to learn from your mistakes.'"

He imparts some of his wisdom and just hopes it sticks.

"You try to tell them there's a very small margin between a good back and a great back," Graham said. "It's about doing the little things.

"I try to make sure they understand what it takes in order to get to that next level."

At the same time, Taylor helps guide Graham toward a potential career in coaching.

"Every day he has enthusiasm and he loves being a football coach," Graham said of Taylor. "That's important, and I love it to.

"I don't care if it's 11 at night or 6 in the morning, he's going to have that same energy. Every day he's like that, and that's special. That's something you can learn from."