All-Stars Williams, Myers are big kids on the block

It was yet another hard workout in the sun at the UT soccer complex with temperatures approaching the 90s.

The big guys - linemen like UT signees Darius Myers and Dan Williams - have it as tough as any of them.

"I've probably lost five pounds,'' said Williams, a 6-foot-3, 320-pound (maybe 315 now?) defensive tackle from Memphis East High School. "But I think I have enough wind that I'll be able to make it through Friday night's game.''

The Tennessee all-stars play Kentucky's finest at 7 p.m. Friday at Papa John's Stadium in Louisville. Kentucky has won four in a row.

Williams said he has gotten a good tune-up for the competition going against Myers, a 6-6, 328-pound guard from Cordova.

"Darius gets me with his pass blocking, but I can beat him on the run plays,'' Williams said. "It's about 50-50. I beat him on the runs because he gives a little sign when he's about to pull.''

Williams said he'll wait until after the final practice this week to let Myers know exactly what he's doing to tip off plays.

Myers said the competition with Williams has been intense, but also clean.

"It has been fun going up against Dan,'' Myers said. "We have a lot of the same strengths. I do get him in pass blocking - I learned that by watching how Tennessee's line stands up and the steps they take.

"As for the run blocking, he beats me when he gets off the ball quicker. When I get my head low on him, I'm fine.''

On a more serious note, Myers said he hopes to learn if his academics are fine within the next few days. Myers is awaiting the result of his final ACT score to see if he'll be academically eligible to enroll at UT this summer.

Myers said if he does not make the test score, he'll enroll at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia.

"I really want to be here (UT) this fall, but if I end up at Hargrave, I know it can give my career a jump,'' Myers said. "I talked to Demonte (Bolden) about it they say it's a grave, pretty hard.''

Perhaps, but it did wonders for Bolden, who was one of the most impressive defensive lineman in UT's spring drills.

It wasn't so long ago that Bolden was out in the hot Tennessee sun, sweating profusely and looking out of shape on this very same practice field while preparing for last year's Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star Game.

"It's serious out here,'' Williams said. "You learn quick that if you loaf, you get run over. I think it's good experience to have heading into UT.''

The good news for Williams and Myers is that today will be their final day in full pads.

More From Boobie: UT tailback signee LaMarcus Coker continued his playful banter.

Coker, who has been tagged "Boobie Myles'' for his similarities to the character in the movie "Friday Night Lights,'' which is based on a true story of high school football in Texas, was asked if he liked seeing his picture on the front page in Tuesday's News Sentinel.

"That was the front page of sports,'' Coker said with a smile. "What do I have to do to get on the front page of the paper. Win the Heisman?''

That would probably do it, considering no UT player has accomplished the feat.

Injury Update: Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star Football Classic media relations director Larry Taft said it has been the most injury-free week of practice leading up to the game that he can remember.

"Carlos Singleton missed both practices with a sore throat,'' said Taft, referring to the 6-8 receiver who has signed with Memphis. "He's the only player who has missed practice because of injury.''