The past year has not been kind to John Chavis.

Tennessee's defensive coordinator fielded a high-ranking unit last season only to watch the offense drop the ball, literally and symbolically, as the Vols stumbled to 5-6.

Chavis' reward?

He must now overcome the loss of six of seven starters up front.

Here is UT's spring practice grades for its rebuilt defense.

C+ Defensive Tackle

The Vols didn't get as much done here as they would have liked. Senior Justin Harrell is the anchor and looked fine. Turk McBride, the other starter at tackle, was limited because of injury.

If McBride is healthy, as he should be this fall, then UT should have a great combination of power (Harrell) and speed (McBride) in the middle.

This was supposed to be the spring when Demonte Bolden took vast strides. Bolden survived two injury scares to have a decent spring. Fulmer said Bolden had the potential to be UT's next great defensive tackle. The Vols not only need Bolden this year for depth but in the future for playmaking and leadership at defensive tackle.

Dan Williams is the surprise among this group. After losing 55 pounds, Williams was named one of the most improved players in spring practice. If he works like he has over the past seven months, the stocky 300-pounder can be a star.

Head coach Phillip Fulmer cited Matt McGlothlin as a player who could work into UT's rotation this fall.

Redshirt freshman Vladimir Richard was having a solid spring until he suffered a broken leg. Fellow freshman Raymond Henderson was moved inside from defensive end this spring. We'll see when he becomes acclimated to the position. Junior Jared Hostetter is also working at defensive tackle.

C+ Defensive End

UT found one defensive end to replace Parys Haralson and Jason Hall, seniors last year.

Junior defensive end Antonio Reynolds seems to have earned the coaches' trust and locked down a starting position.

As for the other end, I like the potential of sophomore Robert Ayers and junior Xavier Mitchell but they'll need to prove they're ready during preseason practice. Ayers is the likely starter. Mitchell's upside is intriguing.

The Vols could be without Walter Fisher early this season. The junior college star had shoulder surgery shortly after spring practice ended. Fisher's spring started slowly but picked up steam before he got hurt. Still, he didn't explode onto the scene as many UT fans had hoped.

Freshman Wes Brown is also working at defensive end.

B+ Linebackers

There is no position on the field at which the Vols can afford to lose every starter like linebacker. It's not that I'm selling last year's starters (Kevin Simon, Omar Gaither and Jason Mitchell) short. However, I firmly believe that UT has deep talent at linebacker. Also, Chavis may be the best linebacker coach in the SEC.

Middle linebacker appears to be the most solid as the Vols replace last year's trio. Marvin Mitchell has a good overall understanding of each linebacker position. Junior James Turner and redshirt freshman Andre Mathis provide depth in the middle.

Junior Ryan Karl started the spring at strongside linebacker but talented playmaker Jarod Mayo will surely be a factor at some point this fall. Adam Myers-White drew compliments from UT's coaches. The hard-hitting sophomore looks like a budding star.

Redshirt freshman Rico McCoy is the newsmaker of the group. There is a strong chance he starts this fall after missing half of spring practice recovering from foot surgery. Head coach Phillip Fulmer challenged McCoy publicly and he was practicing the next day.

McCoy made seven tackles in UT's spring game. He's big, fast and has good instincts. I'd be surprised if he didn't start more games than Ellix Wilson this fall. Wilson is solid but just doesn't have the playmaking ability of McCoy.

A Defensive Backs

If senior Jonathan Wade is now 100 percent confident in his abilities (as he should be), UT has a shutdown corner. If he's not, the Vols have issues.

Wade, always a playmaker, was named one of the most improved players this spring thanks to his consistency.

Inquoris Johnson manned the other cornerback position. The smiling junior appears set to be a starter this fall. One-time starter Roshaun Fellows was slowed by an injury but is a solid junior.

Safety should be a strong position for UT this fall. Junior Jonathan Hefney and senior Antwan Stewart proved they could play the position last year silencing doubters who saw them as transplanted cornerbacks.

At the beginning of spring practice, Fulmer said sophomore Demetrice Morley needed to be a starter. He might just be. Morley pushed Stewart and could eventually end up starting this fall.

Junior Antonio Gaines provides experienced depth in UT's already strong secondary.

C+ Special Teams

UT's special teams made some strides but punter Britton Colquitt's transgressions are hard to ignore. The sophomore admitted that he wasn't very focused on spring practice and missed a practice because he overslept.

That's the first time I can recall a player flippantly missing a practice.

James Wilhoit was solid. UT should be in good hands with the senior place kicker. Wilhoit even looked good when he punted in Colquitt's absence, although that might be asking a bit much of Wilhoit this fall.

UT revamped its special teams responsibilities this spring. All coaches are involved in the kicking game, which is headed up by UT's coordinators, Chavis and David Cutcliffe.

The Vols had a handful of blocks this spring, a far cry from last year's dismal showing. UT should be better on special teams but just how much better remains to be seen.