College recruiters loved LaMarcus Coker’s elusiveness.

His speed and vision made him a threat on almost any down in high school.

Off the field, however, his elusiveness wasn’t as appealing.

"I went down to watch LaMarcus practice and he didn’t practice," Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer said, recalling Coker’s recruitment. "They had some little something going on."

"? He was there but he was banged up or something."

Fulmer doesn’t recall exactly why Coker wasn’t practicing that day.

It could have been an injury. It could have been a suspension. Whatever the reason, Coker wasn’t there.

Needless to say, such attendance didn’t help Coker in college. Shoulder and back injuries kept him off the practice field and squarely on the bench last season, his first at UT.

Being redshirted was a far cry from the bravado that many associated with Coker before he arrived at UT.

During practice for the 2005 Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star Game, Coker was dubbed "Boobie Miles" because he reminded teammates of the cocky chatterbox from "Friday Night Lights".

There was even Heisman Trophy talk coming from Coker the week before the all-star event.

Then, reality set in.

Coker only rushed for 16 yards on 11 carries against a Kentucky front that was more physical and more motivated than their Tennessee counterparts.

That was the last time that Coker — or "Boobie" — participated in a competitive game.

"It’s been a long time since I played football," said Coker, who went through spring practice without contact in order to rehab a shoulder injury. "This whole year I’ve been hungry. I’m just excited to get out here. This camp might be the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life for anything."

Fulmer agrees. He said this could be the first time the talented back has worked since he was in sixth grade.

"He has matured as much as anybody could ask a guy to mature in a year," Fulmer said of the redshirt freshman. "He’s taken the challenge from a physical standpoint.

Fulmer noted Coker’s physique even before the pads started popping. Coker lost weight but gained strength. But the biggest change was his attitude.

"He’s a lot tougher," Fulmer said. "He’s learned how to work. That’s the biggest thing."

Perhaps the most startling change in Coker’s game is his speed, which was already a major strength.

"I believe he’s faster than he was before," Fulmer said.

That speaks volumes for Coker’s offseason regimen.

It also could provide UT with depth and versatility in the backfield, especially since sophomore Montario Hardesty has been slowed by a sore knee.

Coker’s speed combined with starting tailback Arian Foster’s physical style creates a natural one-two punch.

"It’s a good combination for us," Fulmer said.

Just because Foster is the power runner, don’t think Coker is a dainty third-down scat back. Fulmer said he’s disproving that myth right now.

"He (Coker) probably could have taken it and bounced it a couple of times but he turned it north and south on short yardage," Fulmer said, referring to Thursday’s morning practice. "I think he’s trying to show everybody that he can do it that way."

Coker is a natural at kickoff returns and catching the ball out of the backfield.

How much he actually carries the ball could depend on Hardesty, who said his health and confidence in his knee has improved since an MRI turned up no structural damage earlier this week.

"It’s a competition, so I want to get back out there," said Hardesty, who reported he had no swelling or soreness in his knee on Thursday. "At the same time I’ve got to make sure I don’t rush something.

"I’m happy everybody’s doing good but at the same time I want to get out there and show what I can do, too."