Put Tennessee true freshman Quintin Hancock in the mix for a top-five receiver spot.

Hancock continued to make plays, grabbing four passes for 36 yards and two TDs from Jonathan Crompton in Tuesday’s scrimmage.

In the Vols’ three scrimmages, Hancock led all UT receivers with four touchdowns.

"Quintin Hancock is a guy who will definitely be in the mix," Fulmer said. "He still has some alignment things, and occasionally reading a coverage on a route, but he’s a guy who has definitely pushed himself into the mix.

"It’s exciting to see a young guy do that well. He really doesn’t physically look like a freshman out there."

UT receivers coach Trooper Taylor admitted he was surprised with Hancock’s recent surge. Still, Taylor wouldn’t refer to Hancock by his name. For now, he’s "the freshman."

"He has to make a play in a game," Taylor said, "then he can earn his name."

Taylor said Hancock has elevated himself into a three-way competition among sophomores Josh Briscoe and Austin Rogers for the fifth and final spot in UT’s receiver rotation.

"It’s a tight race between those three," Taylor said.

Taylor said Briscoe needed to improve on his blocking and pass receiving.

Asumnu Struggling: Former basketball player Stanley Asumnu also struggled with pass receiving. He dropped two passes, one of which would have been a deep touchdown reception.

"I was disappointed in the drops by Stanley," Taylor said, "but the guys that we’re really counting on, I thought they stepped up."

Asumnu finished with one catch for 7 yards.

"I just have to get used to this stadium just like Thompson-Boling, just getting used to judging balls,: said Asumnu.

"I just have to focus. I’ll make those plays ? It’s kind of frustrating when I’ve got the DB beat bad."

Coker’s Take: Tailback LaMarcus Coker said he was disappointed with his performance. The redshirt freshman logged 26 yards on nine carries. His longest run was seven yards.

"I wanted to break a couple of long runs," said Coker, who also dropped a pass.

First-Team: Senior safety Antwan Stewart started the scrimmage with the first-team instead of sophomore Demetrice Morley, who has split time with Stewart as a starter. Stewart said that doesn’t mean he’ll run out first against Cal.

"I’m going to support whoever," said Stewart, who played safety along with junior Jonathan Hefney.

Middle Men: Tight ends coach Matt Luke said he was pleased with his players’ ability to get open during fall practice.

"Obviously, we’re a lot more involved in the passing game," Luke said. "I’m pleased with that."

Luke said moving his players in motion helps the Vols gain valuable mismatch situations, especially when two tight ends are in the game.

Smith's Plan: A UT official said former Powell High School star Lee Smith is expected to leave UT and enroll at another school.

Smith, who was dismissed from the team on Aug. 2 following a drunken driving charge, had the option to stay at UT because the athletic department would have been forced to uphold his scholarship for one year as outlined in the letter-of-intent he signed in February.

Smith was granted an unconditional release by Fulmer meaning he can attend any school and immediately be eligible for a scholarship.

Smith will still have to sit out one academic year if he transfers to another Division I program.