Fulton High School has a long history of playing football well. Now, it's playing it smarter, too.

The Falcons arguably have the top senior class in Knoxville for the 2006 season.

The transition from high school star to college prospect should be made easier by the Play it Smart program and the efforts of assistant coach Vince Lambdin, who oversees the program at Fulton.

"Our main goal," Lambdin said, "is to focus on academics, GPA, life skills and create some balance for these young men."

The program was first introduced at Fulton and Austin-East. West implemented the program last year.

The goal is simple. Take athletes from schools with a traditionally poor eligibility record and get them ready to go to college, sports scholarship or not.

Three players headline Fulton's senior class for the 2006 season, which could eventually boast 10 scholarship prospects.

The top player is Dennis Rogan, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound tailback who rushed for more than 2,400 yards last season.

Then there are a couple of big guys who are sure to receive interest. Defensive tackle Antonio Hamilton (6-1, 295 pounds) has received strong interest from several schools, including Florida State. Offensive lineman Charles Wiley also has caught recruiters' eyes with his 6-7, 315-pound frame.

Tennessee is evaluating each of the three prospects, who are scheduled to attend the adidas junior camp at UT in April.

Rogan's name isn't new to East Tennessee high school football fans. They have watched him make people miss in the open field for the past two years.

"I think it's kind of funny," Rogan said with a chuckle when asked about shifting past an open-armed defender.

Rogan not only likes making people miss, he also likes watching the best do the same. He's an admitted fan of former Southern Cal star Reggie Bush, who won the Heisman Trophy last season.

"He's so fast and so quick," Rogan said. "I'd like to think I can make people miss like him."

Rogan looks like a natural at running back but also could play cornerback in college. He said he's most interested in Tennessee, Miami, Ohio State, Auburn and Alabama. The Crimson Tide has shown the most interest lately.

As for Hamilton, besides Florida State, he's also considering attending spring camps at Michigan, Auburn, and Louisville.

"You've got letters coming every day all the time," said Hamilton, who admits he's always been fond of the Vols. "I try not to worry about it too much but when you get all those letters, it crosses your mind."

Wiley, who said he's considering several schools, has a unique perspective of the Vols. Wiley's sister, Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood, was one of the top guards in the nation when she signed with the Lady Vols in 2003.

Wiley-Gatewood surprisingly quit the team in December and has transferred to Maryland. Wiley said there are no hard feelings between his family and UT.

"They said it's up to me," Wiley said, referring to his parents' influence on his college decision.

Wiley, whose family lives in Knoxville but originally from Los Angeles, said he'd like to return home and play for the Trojans if that option presents itself. Wiley said he's also looking at UT, Miami, Virginia Tech, Michigan, Nebraska and Florida State.

College recruiters interested in Wiley could hold their scholarship offers until the upcoming season unfolds. Coaches would like to see Wiley's run blocking improve.

As for Lambdin, his focus this year is twofold. One, he wants the Falcons to return to championship form and he'll work long hours to ensure that any athlete who wants to go to college will be accepted.

Lambdin said his job will grow harder, and more necessary, in 2008 when the NCAA raises academic standards for eligibility. Instead of 14 core classes, college freshmen will be required to satisfy 16 hours of such classes.

The Play it Smart program was founded in 1998 by the National Football Foundation. The Knoxville results have been startling. In its first two years, the program claims to have Austin-East's and Fulton's team grade point average 13 percent higher than the entire student body. The program also reports that 80 percent of student-athletes are college-bound as opposed to 21.5 percent before the program.

Fulton coach Buck Coatney is cautiously excited about his upcoming senior class, and its potential as college prospects.

"It's got a lot of potential," Coatney said. "Of course, the big key is academics. It's not like it used to be. The standards are a lot higher."

That's even more reason to play it smart.