Put yourself in a coach's shoes just for a moment.

Imagine your championship hopes are dashed in mid-October. On one hand, you want to win games immediately.

On the other hand, you might be better served to spend more time focusing on recruiting for the overall betterment of the program.

Tough call.

Tennessee is a bit behind its SEC brethren in recruiting at mid-season. That's annually the case, considering Tennessee's lack of consistent in-state talent.

The Vols have seven commitments; five are actual high school seniors in 2005.

That's not unusual for the Vols. They'll make their hay with official visits.

UT made a great impression on its five official visitors on Oct. 8. They'll surely do the same over the remainder of the season even though the remaining home schedule lacks some luster.

UT hosts South Carolina, Memphis and Vanderbilt over the last half of the season.

Here are some players to keep an eye as the Vols try to pick up steam.

Talented Trio: You think Darius Myers has told Vidal Hazelton a thing or two about UT's virtues?

Absolutely.

Myers, an offensive lineman, is committed to UT after signing with the Vols in February but did not qualify. Hazelton, his Hargrave Military Academy teammate, is considering the Vols.

UT coaches hope Myers can bring Hazelton to UT with him. Hazelton is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound wide receiver. He has the nation's elite, including Southern Cal and Miami, interested in him.

UT would love to get in on running back Keiland Williams, another Hargrave player. Williams went to Northside High School in Lafayette, La., before committing to LSU and being forced to attend a prep school.

Dynamic Duo: There was a time when NaDerris Ward seemed like a natural fit for the Vols, especially considering how well UT stands with teammate Joshua Tatum. The Vols are in great shape with Tatum, a 6-1, 225-pound linebacker. He visited Oct. 8.

Tatum loved the visit. His friendship and trust in UT linebacker Kevin Simon should help the Vols land Tatum. Still, he'll take all of his official visits.

Ward is tougher to figure. The 6-5, 245-pound tight end/defensive end likes the South. He's considering UT, Georgia, Florida and LSU. Ward is supposed to be in Knoxville Oct. 28. We'll see.

Tatum and Ward are from McClymonds High in Oakland, Calif.

Big Fit: Andre Smith is quite a big blip on UT's radar. This massive offensive lineman looks like he'd fit perfectly with the other members of the BIG Orange.

UT's offensive line averages 330 pounds per man. Smith is 6-foot-4, 325-pound lineman from Huffman High in Birmingham, Ala.

If Smith's not the best offensive lineman in the nation, he's close.

Elite Back: LeSean McCoy is considering UT but the Vols still need to secure a visit. McCoy is one of the top-rated tailbacks in the nation.

I would expect UT's coaches will mention that its crop of freshman tailbacks hasn't even secured a backup role this season.

For McCoy, that could mean immediate playing time.

Sure, UT has four freshmen tailbacks. But UT's ace recruiter, Trooper Taylor, is involved. That can only help.

Southern Cal, however, could be tough to beat.

Visiting: Jeremiha Hunter is one of the prospects set to make his official visit next weekend. Hunter is a 6-2, 220-pound linebacker from Harrisburg (Pa.) High.

Hunter is widely thought of as one of the nation's top linebackers.

Southern Dip: UT is trying once again to dip into Florida. This time, it's Jacques Rickerson, a 5-10, 175-pound cornerback from St. Augustine (Fla.) High School. He is scheduled to visit next week.

For UT, it's time (as usual) to play catch-up in recruiting. Don't count the Vols out in their comeback bid.

Just ask LSU.

Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knews.com.