Rico McCoy and Jerod Mayo have a lot in common these days.

• They're fighting for a starting spot on a completely revamped Tennessee linebacker corps.

• They're coming off injuries.

• Neither could wait to hit someone when full pads went on Tuesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

• Most of all, they aren't bashful about bringing the oft-talked-about "swagger." Confidence isn't an issue with either of these M&M boys.

"Everyone wants to believe they're the best at whatever they do," McCoy said. "I believe I'm one of the best at what I do.

"It's just great to know other people feel the same way. It makes me work even harder."

McCoy (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) suffered an injured foot as a true freshman around this time last year. He ended up missing his first season on the Vols' campus because of surgery.

Now he's a redshirt freshman and hoping to prove he can make an impact -- literally.

It started in the spring when he led tacklers in the Orange and White Game with six solos and an assist.

Showing what he can do in front more than 100,000 fans against California on Sept. 2 is all he has thought about ever since.

"I love making big hits, so hopefully they'll get to see a bunch of big hits from me this season," McCoy said.

"I'm a pretty exciting player to watch and I'm looking forward to showing all the fans what I can do and what I bring to the table."

Mayo (6-2, 240) got exactly one start last year as a redshirt freshman.

That puts him one ahead of every other linebacker on the roster with the exception of senior Marvin Mitchell (two starts last season).

Mayo started against Florida, admitted he had the jitters and suffered an MCL injury. He tried to come back from the knee injury but was forced to have surgery and missed all of spring practice.

"It was real frustrating, but I feel like everything happens for a reason," he said. "I rehabbed real hard and I feel like I bounced back 100 percent."

Mayo has worked mostly at weakside linebacker -- the same spot where McCoy admits he feels most comfortable -- but he's also getting some looks in the middle.

He just wants to prove there won't be a dropoff in production after the loss of last year's three starters.

"We had some good linebackers -- Omar Gaither, Kevin Simon and Jason Mitchell -- but I feel like talent-wise, we could be just as good as them," Mayo said. "Experience-wise: You know what they say, we just have to get on the field."

Mayo, McCoy, Mitchell, Ryan Karl, Ellix Wilson, Adam Myers-White and James Turner are trying to find their spots in the lineup.

As far as Mayo and McCoy are concerned, the competition is just something to thrive on the next three weeks.

"Competition brings out the best in everyone," McCoy said. "We have Marvin Mitchell there to be that big-brother role at linebacker. This will be his fifth year here. He knows a lot and he shares it with the other linebackers."

Plus, there's the help from a veteran secondary and a line led by preseason All-SEC selection Justin Harrell.

Mayo thinks those guys and some of his own added bulk could be the key.

"I'm 240 pounds and I put on a little weight since the surgery, but I feel just as quick," he said. "I've got 100 percent confidence because I've got big guys like Justin Harrell, Turk McBride and Matt McGlothlin in front of me."