Peyton Manning returned to Knoxville as the featured speaker for the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony Thursday night.

The Indianapolis Colts' All-Pro quarterback also returned as a firm believer the Tennessee football program is headed for great success this season.

Manning gave unsolicited praise to football coach Phillip Fulmer, quarterback Erik Ainge and the direction of the program in general.

"I'm convinced Tennessee is going to have a great year this year,'' said Manning, who spent a week lifting weights and working out with the team in June. "I'll tell you, they are really working hard. They are committed to getting the team turned around. I'm real proud of their efforts.''

Manning said he's looking forward to getting some Saturday night bragging rights back.

"We have lots of players from other schools on the Colts, and usually on Saturday nights I'm walking tall in the hallways because Tennessee has just won,'' Manning said. "Last year, I had a little humble pie, which is good for everybody every now and then; it makes you work harder.''

One of the players Manning sees benefiting most from that hard work is Ainge.

"I certainly relate to the pressure that Erik Ainge is going through, the expectations of being a starting quarterback at the University of Tennessee, coming in with high expectations,'' said Manning, who by becoming the Vols' all-time passing leader from 1994-97 grew out of the shadow of his father, former Ole Miss and New Orleans Saints superstar, Archie.

"Erik, the fact he's been named the full-time starter, it will really help him,'' Manning said. "It's hard when you don't know if you're coming out after a third down incompletion or after an interception.

"I don't think he'll get complacent with that (starting) role, but he'll embrace being a starter and it will elevate his play, and I think he's due for a big-time season.''

Manning said Fulmer is a big reason why Ainge is headed for success.

"We had a down year, but (Fulmer) is the right guy to get them out of the situation and get them back where Tennessee needs to be and will be,'' Manning said. "There's not another a guy you'd like to have in that position leading you than coach Fulmer.''