Stallworth knows Meachem's situation

"Sure he's thought about it," Philadelphia Eagles receiver and former Tennessee star DontA(C) Stallworth said on the News Sentinel Sport Page radio show Thursday. "We're only human."

Meachem, UT's leading receiver, has maintained he's not thinking about life after UT's Outback Bowl matchup against Penn State on Jan. 1 (TV: ESPN, 11 a.m.).

"I didn't want to think about it until after the bowl game," said Stallworth, who skipped his senior season for the pros following the 2001 season. "Honestly, it crosses your mind, but what he's saying is that he's not letting it affect his preparation for the game.

"He's trying to go out and win a game for his team."

Stallworth's indecision was the most memorable aspect of his departure. He announced he would enter the NFL draft, then changed his mind days later. Stallworth could have returned for his last year of eligibility but the NCAA would have suspended him for at least two games because he had already filed his NFL paperwork.

"It sucks," Stallworth said. "That pretty much explains it."

Stallworth said he talks to Meachem frequently. Meachem also has plans to talk to other former Vols such as Dallas Cowboy tight end Jason Witten and Buffalo Bills receiver Peerless Price.

"When you make your decision, don't look back," Stallworth said. "I tell him I didn't look back -- but I do wonder how it would have been since college is the funnest time of your life.

"I wish I would have had a senior year but I'm not looking back on my decision. I'm happy with everything that went down and if I had to do it all over again I wouldn't change it."

UT coach Phillip Fulmer bristled when asked about Meachem's situation.

"I'm not concerned one bit about any of that right now," Fulmer said before practice on Thursday. "We've got a football game to play. I'm helping research that but Robert's mind needs to be on the game, which it is."

Meachem has said he would need a first-round grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board in order to cut his college career short. Receivers coach Trooper Taylor said he would recommend a higher ranking than that.

"If it's a first-round grade where he can go in the first 15 picks, he needs to go," Taylor said. "If not, he needs to come back."

So does Meachem have top-15 potential?

"It depends on what juniors come out and all that," Taylor said. "I haven't really looked at it hard enough to say that but as far as receivers are concerned, I'd match him up with anybody in the country.

Taylor said he and Fulmer will pursue independent evaluations from eight NFL clubs to complement the report from the NFL Draft Advisory Board.

"We've got a great guy with Coach Fulmer that can call NFL G.M.'s and send us what his grade is," Taylor said. "...We're not going to keep any secrets. That's the one thing about Coach (Fulmer): He's always honest and up front with those guys and they appreciate that."

Because most everyone around Meachem will have an opinion, Taylor said having a strong foundation of reliable knowledge will be key.

"He understands that we're going to sit down and look at all the facts and we're going to make an educated decision," Taylor said. "We're not going to make a decision based off what an agent or some scout may have said."

As for Stallworth, he doesn't think talent is an issue.

"He's got everything that you need in a receiver," Stallworth said. "He's big, he's got really good hands, runs good routes and he gets open. And he can make plays with the ball after the catch. Those are pretty much the things that scouts look for.

"He's got all the tools."