Inky Johnson was feeling pretty good about things after taking an interception to the house on Tuesday.

Tennessee's sophomore cornerback came through with one of the highlights of a 60-play controlled scrimmage, picking off a pass and returning it for a touchdown.

It's the kind of thing UT coach Phillip Fulmer wants to see a lot more of out of his secondary this spring.

"We need some playmakers to come out of that group right there," Fulmer said. "Some consistent playmakers.

"You see flashes out of one or two, but that's not what it's about. We're going to keep pushing until we find the right four guys."

Last March, they were the group picked by many as a possible "weak link" on a loaded football team.

It didn't work out that way.

Johnson, Jonathan Hefney, Antwan Stewart, Jonathan Wade, Roshaun Fellows and Demetrice Morley had strong falls, even when team leader Jason Allen went down with a hip injury against Georgia.

"We've got some guys who have gone out there and played some," defensive backs coach Larry Slade said. "I think we're a ways away, but we've got some guys who are working hard."

The difference between last year and this year as far as Johnson is concerned is night and day.

It's going so good Johnson wanted to get a media guide and check out the single-season record for interceptions at UT.

"I haven't looked it up, but we're going to try and go get it," Johnson said. "I'm definitely going to look it up and see what it was."

He's in for a shock.

That's one record that might never be broken.

In 1970 -- when Bobby Majors had 10 interceptions and Tim Priest nine -- the Vols picked off a school-record 36 passes. That includes eight in one game against Alabama.

Those numbers might be unreachable, but the keys for the 2006 Vols are finding the right leaders and the right chemistry.

Hefney led the Vols with three interceptions a year ago.

"The DBs are having fun trying to get everybody pumped up and situated on every play," Hefney said. "It's different, but we're having fun messing with Troop (receivers coach Trooper Taylor).

"We like to talk to him the whole time. Today, he's sending crack blocks and cutting everybody. It's more intense this year. Nobody wants a 5-6 record again. That was a sick feeling last year."

Leadership is the one thing Slade is searching for from his secondary.

"Jason Allen set the bar pretty high there," he said. "He was one of kind.

"We need those guys who will step up and be a leader on the field and in the meeting rooms."

Stewart and Wade are the only seniors in the group.

"I'm just trying to work my hardest and hope the rest follow," Stewart said. "It's going well so far."

That includes Morley, a young player who could be going after Stewart's job.

"Morley is having a heck of a spring," Slade said. "And Antwan and Jonathan Hefney have been solid. Marsalous Johnson is going to be a player and we're trying to get him reps.

"We're just going to get the best four on the field."

Slade isn't ready to say Morley has made himself a starter, but the freshman from Miami is still turning heads.

"You can see the potential," Slade said of the 6-foot-2, 195-pound safety. "He has to go out and be disciplined and be consistent and he's going to be a big-time player. He's going to make a lot of plays."