Spring practice has come and gone. Now it’s time to reflect.

Who made the most of spring? Who didn’t?

Here are Tennessee’s spring practice grades for the offense based on how much it improved since last fall.

A-Quarterbacks

Were UT’s quarterbacks perfect this spring? Far from it. But the one returning starter, Erik Ainge, played much better than last fall.

The junior looked more comfortable in the pocket and limited the hard-to-believe mistakes that confounded UT’s coaches last season. Jonathan Crompton was participating in his first ever college practice but rarely looked like a freshman. Junior Bo Hardegree also took some incredible strides.

Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe worked his magic in practice but the real test is yet to come.

Will Ainge limit the mistakes that plagued him in 2005? Not even he can answer that question.

UT fans should take solace that Crompton and Hardegree look more ready to play than most would have predicted before spring practice began.

C- Offensive Line

UT’s coaches wanted to develop an offensive identity that would be based off the play of the offensive line. Fulmer and staff also hoped to have a projected starting five by the end of spring drills. Neither goal was accomplished.

This grade could improve if the Vols have found their center of the future, Josh McNeil. If the redshirt freshman, who struggled at times this spring, can man the center position, then senior David Ligon can play guard.

Senior Arron Sears rarely practiced this spring for precautionary reasons. Junior Steven Jones was named one of the most improved players of spring practice for his work at guard and tackle (his likely position).

Chris Scott showed some promising flashes but it’s probably a bit early for the redshirt freshman to play a key role this season.

Junior Eric Young and sophomores Ramon Foster and Anthony Parker better have a more productive fall than they did spring or this offense could be in serious trouble.

I Running Backs

There’s really no way to give UT’s running backs a grade considering how limited they were because of injury. Sophomore Arian Foster and freshmen Montario Hardesty and LaMarcus Coker were extremely limited. Foster did not practice at all. The trio is expected back this summer.

Senior David Yancey proved once again that he is a dependable back. Yancey, however, just doesn’t have the same game-breaking ability as his injured teammates. Sophomore Ja’Kouri Williams took advantage of his opportunities and could be a good changeup back.

In the passing game, UT’s fullbacks took a backseat to the Vols’ surging tight ends. Senior Cory Anderson can be a force but is inconsistent. His name was barely mentioned this spring. Junior David Holbert needs to come on quick to live up to his billing as one of the top prospects of UT’s 2004 class.

How will either fit into offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe’s new system? They had better be ready to block.

B+ Tight Ends

I see immediate production and future stardom out of this group. Junior Chris Brown can make plays and is the most likely candidate if UT does indeed throw to the tight end more this fall, as it did during spring practice.

Redshirt freshman Jeff Cottam looks like the best athlete in the group and may have the most potential. He also has a mean streak, which helps his blocking. It might just be a matter of time until he takes over the position.

Jeff’s brother, junior Brad Cottam, is hoping to stay healthy and prove he can be a consistent receiver instead of a player with only flashes of greatness in practice.

B Wide Receivers

This group didn’t dominate but they did improve their practice tempo and accepted the changes that new wide receiver coach Trooper Taylor implemented.

Junior Robert Meachem looked great in the Orange and White Game. Sophomore Lucas Taylor gives the Vols something they haven’t had recently, a shifty playmaker who can turn a short pass into a long gain.

Senior Bret Smith was inconsistent but came on late. Speedy sophomore Austin Rogers will play this fall. He could be the kick returner.

Senior Jayson Swain’s spring was cut short when persistent pain in his knee forced him to have surgery, his second such procedure in less than a year.

Coming soon, the report card on UT’s defense.