Don't count Myers out yet

Myers was one of the most impressive players during this week's All-Star practice. He started for Tennessee against Kentucky on Friday night in Louisville.

"He's a real good player," teammate and fellow UT signee Dan Williams said of Myers. "He's a perfect offensive lineman attitude wise.

UT offered Myers a scholarship amid little fanfare. Most recruiting fans were more concerned with the West Tennessee offensive lineman that spurned the Vols, Briarcrest's Michael Oher who was the News Sentinel's top rated player in Tennessee.

"I was cool with Michael Oher," Williams said. "He was the top offensive lineman in the state. But I think you can put Darius right up there with him. I believe Darius probably got looked over because he only played two years. But if you look at skills, he and Michael Oher are right next to each other."

Myers' college interest was limited because of his short high school career (he started playing football during his junior year) and his shaky academic status. Myers will likely attend a prep school or junior college before enrolling at UT.

"Darius, pass-blocking wise, has quick steps," Williams said. "It doesn't matter if it's a defensive end or a defensive tackle trying to rush inside or outside, he picks it up real fast. And pulling, you make sure you watch out for him because that's not a pretty sight when he gets you."

"Some linemen just try to make a block and then stop. But Darius, he makes a block, gets up and starts running down field looking for someone else."

Cocky Coker: Former Antioch tailback LaMarcus Coker has won over his Tennessee teammates with his fun loving, albeit cocky, attitude.

"He likes to talk and back it up," fellow signee Marsalous Johnson said. "I like him for that. I won't hit him (Coker) because I don't want to try to hurt him."

Said Williams, "He is his own best friend. We took our (official) visit at the same time. Now since I play with him, he can back it up. Now I can respect him more for all the talking he does. He showed me so, hey, I have nothing but respect for the guy."

Motivating Fulmer: Williams played defensive tackle for the Tennessee All-Stars. He'd like to play the same position for the Vols.

"At Tennessee, I project myself to play defensive tackle too," Williams said. "Coach (Phillip) Fulmer told me that if I want to stay on this side, I've got to stay in shape so I know what I have to do. I want to play defensive tackle. That's all I have to do, come in shape and work my butt off to come in shape."

Early Decision: Johnson said he never had any second thoughts after committing to UT last summer, several months before Signing Day.

"My parents, they had some second thoughts," Johnson said. "But me, I had no second thoughts. It was just Tennessee. That's all I saw, orange and white, Tennessee."

Scouting Report: Williams said he has heard plenty from former teammate and offensive lineman Malcolm Rawls who is enrolled at UT.

"He said it's a lot tougher," Williams said. "He said you just don't know what (UT strength coach) Johnny Long is going to have you doing for a workout. He doesn't stick with the same routine every week. He comes in with something different so you just have to be prepared."