Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer has another reason to cheer this spring.

Thirty-six players were named to UT’s spring semester Thornton Center honor roll this week.

"I’m excited about having that number of guys with over a 3.0 grade-point average,’’ Fulmer said. "Some very prominent and outstanding players are in that group. We had quite a few others approaching that level, as well.’’

Seven of the 36 players on the honor roll are projected starters.

The honor roll list includes: Erik Ainge, Jon Catanzano, Peter Chang, Henra Chennault, Dustin Colquitt, Jim Bob Cooter, Brad Cottam, Cody Douglas, William Edgar, Jeff Farrington, Omar Gaither, Richie Gandy, Adam Gillem, Ben Greene, Chris Hannon, Parys Haralson, Alec Haston, Justin Johnson, Ryan Karl, David Ligon, Bill Martin, Adam Miles, Xavier Mitchell, Jarod Parrish, Chuck Prugh, Rob Smith, Kirk Swearingen, Andrew Tuck, James Turner, Ian Vinson, Todd Vinson, Sam Wantland, James Wilhoit, Robert Williams, Tyler Williams and Casey Woods.

Fulmer also has been cheering the exploits of the Maryville High School softball team. His youngest daughter, Allison, is a senior on the Rebels’ team and has signed to play with UT next season.

Fulmer, a familiar face at softball parks for years while supporting Allison, plans to be back in attendance today when Maryville plays host to Daniel Boone at 3 p.m. with a trip to the state tournament on the line.

Of course, Fulmer also has been keeping up with recruiting as well as his football players and their activities.

On Thursday, middle linebacker Kevin Simon visited Farragut Intermediate School to talk with youth about positive life skills.

"We’re proud of our kids,’’ said Fulmer. "Occasionally, things don’t go as you’d like, but I believe we have a good group of young men.

"Sometimes you don’t hear about the community service they perform and the good things they make happen.’’

Eleven Tennessee players have been either arrested or cited for crimes since February 2004.

Notebook: Fulmer said he believes most all of his team will be in Knoxville for both sessions of summer school. Last year, UT’s players took it upon themselves to hold individual workouts. It’s particularly valuable for the quarterbacks, receivers and defensive backs, who were able to compete in non-contact skeleton drills. ? The Vols will switch back to wearing black shoes after spending the past two seasons wearing white shoes.