Everywhere you look, questions surround the 2006 Tennessee football team.

Offensively, don't even go there -- young, inexperienced line, rehabbing running backs, quarterback doubts and receiver bobbles.

Defensively, you're dealing with young, inexperienced ends and the same kind of inexperience at linebacker.

There's only one spot on the field where you can say everything appears totally settled and in good shape.

Say hello to the defensive secondary.

"As a group, they should be the strength of our defense," Chavis said. "The unique thing about this situation, is even though we're returning four starters who started the last six ballgames for us, there's still competition going on."

Depth plus experience makes Chavis and secondary coach Larry Slade smile.

Everything's reversed from the way it was this time last season.

A year ago, the secondary was thought to be a potential downfall of an otherwise veteran defensive unit.

Cornerbacks were moved to safety, safeties were moved to cornerback and then the star of the show, Jason Allen, goes down with a season-ending hip injury against Georgia.

But the secondary not only survived, it seemed to flourish and far exceeded the expectations of most people when it was all said and done.

"It's amazing what that group got done last year," Chavis said. "It's amazing that we were able to start those safeties who used to be corners and they were able to hold up for us all last year."

Those safeties are Jonathan Hefney and Antwan Stewart.

Hefney, a junior, easily adjusted to his new role at free safety. He finished third on the team in tackles (65) and first in interceptions with three.

Stewart, a senior, lined up at strong safety after missing all of 2004 with a knee injury. He finished with 47 tackles.

This spring, Stewart looked impressive again with two interceptions in one scrimmage.

The star in waiting is Demetrice Morley. He's fast. He's athletic. He's physical.

Morley finished with 15 tackles, an interception in the season finale against Kentucky and a key pass break up in the waning minutes against UAB.

He earned All-SEC freshman accolades from The Sporting News and his role should expand even more this season.

"Morley has really come on and he's obviously a very, very talented guy," Chavis said. "He's a playmaker and providing some competition back there."

At cornerback, Inky Johnson, Jonathan Wade and Roshaun Fellows all have starting experience.

Johnson became a fan favorite when he stepped in to replace the injured Allen and showed no jitters or intimidation.

The diminutive 5-foot-9, 169-pound junior had 30 tackles, including 2.5 behind the line.

Wade is the player who made the greatest strides this past spring. It earned him Most Improved Defensive Player honors along with tackle Dan Williams.

"Jonathan really became a technician," Chavis said. "We had to make sure he knew all the fine details and techniques.

"He has matured and grown. He's more physical and there's a lot of things we're excited about Jonathan showing us during the spring."

The senior replaced Fellows in the starting lineup during the Ole Miss game last season and returned his first career interception for a TD.

Fellows, Antonio Gaines and Marsalous Johnson provide depth at the corner. Antonio Wardlow and Sinclair Cannon are two more guys who could see time at safety.

"The good thing about it is," Chavis said, "we've got six, seven or eight guys who can go out and play for us and get some things done.

"We've worked some of those safeties at corner. We want to be very versatile back there and if we need Hefney to play some corner for us, we'll do so."

Outlook: This secondary might not be up to 1999 standards (Dwayne Goodrich, Andre Lott, Fred White and Deon Grant), but it's definitely the most solid and proven position on the entire Tennessee football team.

Stewart and Hefney are more confident in their roles at safety.

Wade is ready to take on his duties as a shutdown corner.

And watch out for Morley. He's a future star.