Gerald Williams is a Tennessee commitment, again.

"I'm coming back up for good in January," the linebacker from Boyd Anderson High School said during a phone interview on Wednesday. "I'm sticking with my word and sticking with Tennessee. No doubt. There's not another place for me."

Williams' commitment doesn't mean other schools haven't tried to sway his decision. Florida is one school that Williams said has tried to recruit him but received a negative response.

Williams knows Knoxville better than most prospective members of UT's 2006 class. Williams signed with UT in February 2005. He spent two weeks at UT and a week practicing with the Vols before he was forced by the NCAA to return home because of his questionable academic status.

"I was disappointed that the Clearinghouse didn't get all that situated," Williams said. "It hurt me a lot having to go home with all my friends up there. I was just getting into it. We're we getting real close, like brothers. To come home was real hard at first.

"I couldn't do anything about it."

UT head coach Phillip Fulmer was outspoken in his criticism of the NCAA Clearinghouse when Williams was forced to return home.

"It's tough on him," Fulmer said in September. "He looks like he's going to be a good player and he's a fabulous young man. It's just a shame."

Coaches and players complimented Williams' ability in his short time on the practice field. Williams said he didn't let negative emotions associated with his departure affect him once he returned home.

"It was real tough but everything happens for a reason," he said. "I just took it and ran with and made it my benefit to come down here and train more."

Williams said his uncle, a physical trainer, has been helping him prepare for his return. Williams was listed at 225 pounds when he enrolled at UT. Now, the 6-foot-4 athlete said he is 240 pounds and can run the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. The increased speed came, in part, from running on the beach as part of his regular training.

Williams also broke a mental sweat, studying the Vols whenever they were on television.

"I know the system," Williams said. "I keep that in mind when I watch games."

The viewing has been tough at times this season as the Vols stumbled to a 5-6 record. Williams said he looks forward to helping the Vols turn the program around.

"Everybody knows that they could have done better," Williams said. "You just have to learn from this season and make next season a better one."

Williams said he has kept in touch with several coaches from UT, including Fulmer, defensive coordinator John Chavis and assistant Trooper Taylor, who recruited Williams out of Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.

Williams said he also regularly speaks to several UT players including fellow South Floridian Vladimir Richard.

"I talk to Vlad every night," Williams said. "He's my best friend, my brother."

The good news for UT and Williams is that, by all accounts, Williams should be cleared soon.

"Everything is cleared," Williams said. "They're just waiting on my last test to come, which should be there in a couple of weeks."

Still, Williams has a message for the NCAA Clearinghouse.

"It's the future of kids so they should have some kind of method to get things back as quick as possible," Williams said. "My mom called every week, mostly every other day.

"They kept telling her it's on the table. Every time we sent something up there that they needed, they just found another excuse."

Jai Time: Jai Eugene from Destrehan High School in Destrehan, La. said he has not ruled out the Vols since Pat Washington has been fired. The former UT coach was Eugene's primary recruiter.

The highly touted defensive back said he is quite fond of Taylor. Eugene said the two developed a relationship when Taylor coached at nearby Tulane.

"He's a great man," the 6foot, 175-pounder said. "Since the first time I met him, we've been together. Trooper Taylor is a great coach and he's one of the main reasons why I'm considering Tennessee."

Eugene said he will take his official visit to UT on Jan. 13. The trip will be his first to Knoxville.

Eugene has taken one official visit to Michigan. Eugene said he also is considering Miami, Florida, Southern Cal and LSU. Eugene said he's not deterred by UT's losing record in 2005.

"It doesn't matter," he said. "Some seasons are going to be like that. USC had bad seasons. Teams go through that."

Aloha Means UT: Micah Kia is the newest player to keep an eye on. Kia is a 6-5, 295-pound defensive lineman from Mililani High School in Mililani, Hawaii.

UT assistant coach Steve Caldwell is scheduled to visit Kia this week along with Simi and Maryanne Mapu, the parents of UT defensive lineman J.T. Mapu. J.T. Mapu will conclude his two-year Mormon mission in Texas this summer. All indications have him returning to UT this fall.

The defensive lineman played for the Vols in 2002 and 2003 before his mission.