Anxiety over quarterback play ranks as a leading theme as Tennessee looks to the 2006 football season.

But with a reconstructed quarterback (Erik Ainge) and a former offensive coordinator (David Cutcliffe) come home to roost, the Vols are ahead of the curve as the SEC wraps up spring practice.

No fewer than seven SEC teams have quarterback issues heading into the summer and, believe it or not, we’re not counting UT among them.

Expanding the transition them, Arkansas and Ole Miss join UT with new offensive coordinators and Kentucky has a new quarterbacks coach, Randy Sanders.

As for the minority of teams with stability at the trigger position, two are of direct concern to the Vols.

While he may not fit Urban Meyer’s system like a glove, senior Chris Leak is the man at Florida until Tim Tebow proves otherwise (spring games don’t count).

Job security isn’t a perk for Steve Spurrier quarterbacks, but Blake Mitchell returns as South Carolina’s starter. It’s up to redshirt freshman Cade Thompson from Maryville to keep bringing the heat.

Auburn, which returns Brandon Cox, would be of interest to UT only in a best-case scenario (Atlanta on Dec. 2).

Elsewhere, the quarterback issues run the gamut.

Feast, Not Famine: At LSU, there may be too much of a good thing.

Incumbent JaMarcus Russell missed spring practice due to a shoulder injury, which opened the door for Matt Flynn — the Peach Bowl MVP in Russell’s absence — and redshirt freshman Ryan Perrilloux.

"I’d be the first one to tell you we will look at a guy who won 10 games a year ago (Russell) first,’’ coach Les Miles said Tuesday. "But I feel very confident there are some other competent quarterbacks that may play and they deserve to play.’’

The Man (For Now): As expected, senior Joe Tereshinski emerged from Georgia’s spring as the No. 1 guy to replace D.J. Shockley.

That hardly guarantees "Joe T" will be the No. 1 guy on Oct. 7 when the Vols come to town. Redshirt freshman Joe Cox, or, more likely, Matthew Stafford, who graduated from high school early to get to spring practice, should overtake him sooner rather than later.

"I didn’t see it as competition in the spring,’’ said coach Mark Richt.

"The first day Stafford didn’t know what he was doing. By the end, he looked fairly polished to where he ought to be able to compete in the fall.’’

For Now, Part II: Arkansas could also have a true freshman starting by the time UT hits town.

Mitch Mustain is finishing up high school, but has the credentials to unseat either Casey Dick or Robert Johnson, who shared starts last year. It doesn’t hurt that Mustain’s high school coach, Gus Malzahn, is the Razorbacks’ new offensive coordinator.

"Casey didn’t have the spring he thought he was going to have,’’ said coach Houston Nutt. "Robert had a really good spring.

"Mitch comes in and we’re going to give him a shot and see what happens, and the best one is going to play.’’

Just Do It: At Alabama, sophomore John Parker Wilson has solidified himself as Brodie Croyle’s successor.

This was Wilson’s second spring of taking most of the snaps with the No. 1 offense.

"He just needs to go play,’’ coach Mike Shula said. "Our football team feels real comfortable with him right now.’’

Who’s Got Next?: The only shoes to fill bigger than Croyle’s belong to Jay Cutler at Vanderbilt.

Chris Nixson is mobile, has a good arm and holds a slight edge in experience over redshirt freshman Mackenzi Adams. The emphasis is on slight: Nixson attempted only three passes last fall.

"We were in a lot of close games,’’ said coach Bobby Johnson, "and had a great quarterback in there playing for us.’’

No Vote of Confidence: At Kentucky, Andre Woodson got plenty of experience — 11 starts’ worth. And yet he came out of the spring without eliminating challenger Curtis Pulley.

The suspense could continue until two weeks before the opener at Louisville, coach Rich Brooks said.

In Absentia: Finally, there’s Ole Miss. The Rebels have a new offensive coordinator, Dan Werner from Miami, but they know who their 2006 starter will be — former Vol Brent Schaeffer.

Never mind that Schaeffer was at a California junior college while the Rebels conducted spring practice.

"We tried to turn that into a positive,’’ said coach Ed Orgeron, "to see if we could get our second-team quarterback ready in case something happens to Brent.’’

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knews.com.