Turning Myles to yards

Coker, a UT tailback signee from Antioch, received clearance to play Monday. Coker is already enrolled in class at UT, but because he's paying his way he remains eligible.

Judging from Coker's practice Monday afternoon, it's a pivotal addition to a Tennessee team that has lost three in a row to Kentucky heading into Friday's 6 p.m. game at Papa John's Stadium in Louisville.

"Kentucky's won (three) in a row? Not anymore,'' said Coker, whose cocky, fun-loving demeanor led fellow UT teammates to tag him "Boobie Myles.''

Myles is a fictional character in the movie "Friday Night Lights'' who possessed tremendous ability and confidence, but suffered a knee injury and had questionable academics.

"I'm the new-age Boobie Myles,'' said Coker, whose senior season in high school was limited to five games (963 yards rushing) by a pulled hamstring. "I'm the complete Boobie, with good grades and good knees.''

It took only a few plays for Coker to show his skills: On his first run during practice at UT Soccer Complex, he took a pitch around end, out-racing all pursuit until the whistle blew with him still en route to the end zone.

On another carry, Coker showed exceptional vision and cutting ability as he navigated his way through a busy line of scrimmage for a big gain.

Finally, the 5-foot-10, 206-pound Coker showed his power. Coker lowered his shoulder and ran over 6-foot-3, 320-pound defensive tackle Dan Williams - another UT signee - and picked up running again before the whistle was blown.

Williams said he and the Tennessee all-stars find Coker's personality amusing.

"He thinks he's the best thing,'' Williams said. "You ever seen the movie 'Friday Night Lights'? He's Boobie Myles.''

Asked if he really predicted on TV that he'd score seven touchdowns on Kentucky, Coker replied, "'Yeah, I said it.''

And does he really believe it?

"If they give me the ball seven times,'' he said with a smile.

Former Smyrna defensive back Marsalous Johnson said Coker backs up his talk.

"Boobie is a great athlete,'' Johnson said. "He's a very competitive player.''

No doubt, and a confident one, too.