Trooper Taylor is known for being a highly energetic coach.

That enthusiasm was put to the test this past weekend as Tennessee held its first three practices of the season.

Taylor has been dealing with a personal matter as fall camp opens. His mother is seriously ill.

UT's wide receivers coach feared the worst just days ago. But the reports from his mother's home in Texas were much better on Sunday.

"She's doing a lot better," Taylor said.

While Taylor's mind has every right to be thousands of miles away, the yelling and chest bumping haven't stopped.

UT's wide receivers haven't noticed any difference in Taylor's practice habits, other than he was late for Friday's practice as he returned from caring for his mother.

"He's always going to be intense," wide receiver Robert Meachem said. "He doesn't bring that (his troubles) on the field with him."

Taylor has long prided himself in creating a family atmosphere among the players he coaches. He's even been known to attach his surname to his position players. Meachem said the feeling is mutual.

"His mom," the junior said, "is like my grandmom."

O-Line Youngsters: Offensive line coach Greg Adkins said he is pleased with redshirt freshman Vladimir Richard, who moved from the defensive line to offensive guard to begin fall camp on Friday.

"I like his attitude so far," Adkins said. "He's certainly way far behind in terms of his knowledge and his assignments."

Richard was running with the second team during Sunday's practice, although it's far too early to determine how soon he can contribute. He admitted he was a bit surprised when UT's coaches suggested the move.

"They tell me that Fred Weary did that same thing I did," Richard said, referring to the former Vol who now plays for the NFL's Houston Texans. "At first, I was a little hesitant to make the move but I realize that's my future.

"I'm going to do everything I can to do it."

UT's coaches also tried freshman Cody Pope at center on Sunday. Pope is considered a raw, athletic prospect because he only played one season on the offensive line in high school.

"I thought if we started him there that would give him the most knowledge of overall play ... if we want to move him around at another time," Adkins said. "Talk about a guy that comes to work, he comes to work now."

Pen Pals: Richard said he recently talked to good friend Gerald Williams, the 2006 signee who is waiting for academic clearance from the NCAA.

Williams, who could play linebacker of defensive end at UT, also signed with UT in 2005 but an issue with a correspondence class forced him home last August after moving to Knoxville and practicing with UT.

"He just so anxious to get here," Richard said. "Sometimes he even cries over frustration for what's taking so long and what they've put him through."

Heat Relief: Phillip Fulmer said the Vols had a couple of heat related health issues on Sunday. At the training staff's behest, UT's head coach allowed his players to remove their shoulder pads for the last two practice sessions because of the high heat index.

Richard, however, didn't seem bothered.

"I'm used to the heat," the South Floridian said. "I'm from Florida. We practice in 102 degrees."

Richard said he used cold towels on his neck and head to cool himself. He said he educated his teammates on the method.

Low Numbers: UT's 2006 signing class isn't off to the best start. The Vols only have 15 signees from their latest class in uniform.

Junior college safety Justin Garrett from Pasadena City College did not qualify academically and will not attend UT.

Because of academics, former Alcoa running back/linebacker Dustin Lindsey and Brent Vinson from Phoebus High School in Hampton, Va. were forced to attend junior college and prep school, respectively.

Williams and former Dalton (Ga.) High School athlete Stephaun Raines are awaiting academic clearance from the NCAA.

Former Powell defensive end/tight end Lee Smith was enrolled at UT this summer. He was dismissed from the football team last week.

Kicker Chad Cunningham from Dawsonville High School in Dawson, Ga. will enroll in January as previously planned.

UT signed 22 players in February.

Full Go: Tailback Montario Hardesty admitted he had a tough time dealing with his season ending right knee injury last fall.

"I wasn't coming to the games," the redshirt freshman said. "I was in the room just mad. It was a real big mental challenge."

Hardesty said he has overcome the emotions of the injury, as well as a minor injury to his left knee suffered just before summer workouts.

As for the common contention that ACL injuries require more than one year of recovery, Hardesty isn't buying it.

"I feel good now," he said.

Hardesty is worth watching. He surpassed Arian Foster last season as UT's second-string tailback before the injury setback.

Hardesty will wear No. 2, his high school jersey number, this season after wearing No. 34 last year. Former UT linebacker Kevin Simon wore No.2 last season.

Schedule: The Vols practiced in shorts and shoulder pads on Sunday. They'll do the same today. Tuesday is the first day of full pads. That will conclude the NCAA-mandated acclimation period, which limits the gear that schools can don in the first four days of practice.