Lee Smith has a piece of advice as Tennessee searches for its next offensive coordinator.

Hurry.

"They definitely need to get somebody in there quick," the Powell High School star said. "There isn't going to be any offensive studs coming in to a school with no offensive coordinator."

Smith committed to play football for UT in February.

Remember, at that time the Vols were the talk of the college football world before their offense fell apart. Much has changed, including UT's offensive coordinator. Randy Sanders resigned Oct. 31 and will finish out the season as the Vols (3-5) try to become bowl eligible.

"That's where I plan on spending the next four years of my life," Smith said. "I definitely don't like the fact that things are going crazy over there."

UT's situation has many thinking that the 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end/defensive end may be considering other options, such as Virginia Tech or Alabama. He's long said he has an interest in both schools, albeit far less than UT.

Despite rumors to the contrary, Smith said the Hokies and Tide are where they've been for months -- far behind the Vols.

"If I wasn't going to go to UT, those would definitely be the other two schools I would go to," Smith said. "When you tell somebody those are your next two schools in line, regardless of how far down the line it is, they want to take it a little farther."

Smith said he gets plenty of anti-Vol advice from his friends, including former Powell standout Baron Huber, who is a freshman linebacker at Alabama.

"He calls me everyday," Smith said. "He hounds me."

Smith said he's heard plenty of reasons to change his mind. UT's losing record, its absence of a productive tight end and coaching changes have all been mentioned.

"I committed to UT," Smith said. "I'm a Tennessee boy. I'm not going to say I like it (Sanders resignation) because I don't like it one bit ... but it hasn't changed the way I feel about where I'm playing my college football."

Smith said he keeps a close check on the latest happenings at UT with coaches Greg Adkins and Dan Brooks.

"It definitely means something to me," Smith said of UT's future decision on an offensive coordinator. "Whoever they hire is going to be the person that determines whether or not I'm on the field for the next four years. I'm definitely going to keep a close eye on it."

Smith said he would love to see an offensive coordinator join the staff that likes to run a two-tight end system. Smith, however, doesn't think a significant change in offensive philosophy is in order.

"Tennessee football is Tennessee football, so I don't really think it matters what offensive coordinator they have," Smith said. "They're going to play the same type of offense they always have."

Smith said he would be extremely pleased if former UT coach David Cutcliffe is hired as offensive coordinator. Cutcliffe is thought to be the leading candidate if he is not offered a head-coaching job.

Smith said Cutcliffe and his father, Daryl Smith, are still friends from their time together at UT. The elder Smith played football at UT 1984-86 when Cutcliffe coached for the Vols.

"I've been around Coach Cutcliffe all my life," Lee Smith said. "I would love that."

Stone Mountain Duo: Jermaine Cunningham from Stephenson High in Stone Mountain, Ga. said he doesn't define UT by its 3-5 record.

"It's a winning program," the 6-4, 200-pound defensive end said. "Based on what they've done in the past and Coach (Phillip) Fulmer's winning record, it's overwhelming to see what he has yet to do in the future."

Cunningham is taking his official visit to Knoxville this weekend. He said Florida leads for his services followed by UT, Auburn and Virginia Tech, where he has taken his one other official visit.

Cunningham said he has been impressed by UT's defense despite the Vols' overall struggles.

"They like to get the quarterback and I could see myself on that defense rushing the quarterback," he said. "I see myself coming off the edge."

Cunningham's teammate, Kelvin Sheppard, will also visit UT this weekend. The 6-2, 220-pound linebacker is committed to LSU, but Cunningham said his teammate is still looking around at other schools.

Fanatics: UT running backs coach Trooper Taylor said he's fielded questions from prospects about unhappy fans.

"What I try to tell them is that's 10 percent," Taylor said of the negative fan criticism. "If they (prospects) get there and there's nobody at the game or nobody at the Vol Walk and our fans don't show up, then they'll say our fans are fair weather."

UT will host seven official visitors this weekend. Along with Cunningham and Sheppard, the other visitors are athlete Riley Cooper of Clearwater, Fla., defensive lineman Walter Fisher, receiver Vidal Hazelton, placekicker Daniel Lincoln of Ocala, Fla., and Darius Myers of Hargrave Military Academy. Fisher committed to UT in 2004, Myers signed with UT in February and Lincoln committed last week.

"That's where they can help us," Taylor said of UT's fans, "by showing up and supporting this team this year when things are tough."