JEFFERSON CITY — James Banks is back.

Back in East Tennessee, back wearing an orange-trimmed jersey and, most importantly, back playing football.

"Just being a part of something again has really been a blessing for me," Banks said after Carson-Newman College’s Orange and Blue spring football game Monday night. "I thank Coach (Ken) Sparks again for taking a chance and trusting in me to do the right thing and giving me another chance to play football."

The wide receiver’s two receptions for 90 yards set up two of the Orange squad’s touchdowns as they won 18-0.

It didn’t take Banks long to showcase the talent that had many of his former teammates calling him the best natural athlete at UT. He caught a 60-yard pass after breaking open deep in the middle of the field on the game’s third play.

The Orange’s second score came after a 30-yard pass reception during which Banks sidestepped a defender to reach the 1-yard line.

"When he gets a crease, he’s got that special gift," Sparks said. "It was fun to see him have a little success tonight."

The Monday evening scrimmage was the fifth spring practice for Banks, who wasn’t allowed to participate until Feb. 27 because of what Sparks called "little" issues.

"James and I have an agreement that he has to earn the right to practice," Sparks said. "He has to earn the right to be a part of this football team."

Recent history aside, Sparks maintained that Banks has done well on and off the field since enrolling at Carson-Newman last fall. Banks practiced last fall but wasn’t allowed to play.

Could the small-town atmosphere of Jefferson City hold fewer temptations than being a well-known athlete in Knoxville?

"I think you can get in trouble or get pressured into doing things wherever you are," Banks said. "If you’re thinking wrong, you’re going to do wrong. I’m just trying to think right."

Banks is sporting longer hair than he did as a Vol. The 22-year-old hasn’t played in a football game since UT’s Peach Bowl appearance Jan. 2, 2004. He vows to keep the dreadlocks until "things start going right again."

"I think I’m a lot smarter in certain situations," Banks said. "I still make mistakes but those big, crucial ones, I’m thinking I shouldn’t do that because I know that I’m almost down to no more chances."

Banks landed at Division-II Carson-Newman after being denied admission to UT-Chattanooga.

Banks has two years of eligibility remaining at Carson-Newman because Division II schools count semesters enrolled, not years since beginning class. He would only have had one year of eligibility remaining had he enrolled at a Division I school.

Banks also returned three punts for 35 yards in Monday night’s scrimmage. The longest return came in the third quarter when Banks shot through a seam and gained 29 yards before being taken down by the last possible tackler.

Banks was open often during the scrimmage and was the intended target for at least two errant passes.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Alex Good said the chemistry between he and Banks is still developing.

"He’s a hard worker just like I am," Good said. "We’re going to put in the time to be successful."

Sparks said Banks also has seen time this spring at quarterback, where Banks played in high school.

Banks was dismissed from UT in December 2004 after being suspended several times for a variety of incidents.

Banks was cited in 2004 for underage drinking and violating the city noise ordinance. The charges were dropped.

Then, Banks, who UT also tried at safety during preseason practice in 2004, suffered a torn meniscus in his knee. The injury required surgery, which sidelined him for the season. The final straw came when Banks was caught trying to submit a urine sample for a drug test using a prosthetic device.

Banks’ signed with UT in 2002 out of Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis as one of the top athletic quarterbacks in the nation. He immediately began working at wide receiver when he arrived in Knoxville. He then led the Vols in receiving in 2003 as a sophomore and made key plays in wins against Florida, South Carolina and Alabama.

In the Carson-Newman scrimmage Monday, it was hard for either offense to build momentum. Although no official statistics were kept, there were at least 10 fumbles.

"There were a lot of things that were ugly," Sparks said, "but the effort was good."

For Banks, it was good just to be back.