Gerald Riggs Jr. has battled the calendar for three months. Today, he'll take on the clock.

The former Tennessee running back is one of several players who will be at UT's pro scouting day at Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex today. It will be an important day for Riggs, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury against Alabama on Oct. 22.

"It a chance to go out and workout," said Riggs, who rushed for 1,919 yards at UT in four seasons. "It's the first time I've been able to do anything (competitive) since I've been hurt. It feels pretty good."

Riggs knew he would be pressed for time when he received the diagnosis for his injury. Typically, such ligament damage takes over three months to heal. It has been 3 1/2 months since Riggs' surgery.

"I don't feel like I'm 100 percent," Riggs said, "but I feel like I'm getting close to it."

Riggs will participate in a variety of tests today, including the all-important 40-yard dash. In the end, Riggs hopes his heart shows as much as the various stopwatches.

"Everybody knows what happened," Riggs said, referring to the NFL scouts. "They just want to see if I'm healed up properly."

Several other former UT players will undergo the bevy of tests today, including Jason Allen, Peter Chang, Cody Douglas, C.J. Fayton, Omar Gaither, Jason Hall, Chris Hannon, Parys Haralson, Jesse Mahelona, Tony McDaniel, Jason Mitchell, Jon Poe, Ovince Saint Preux, Kevin Simon, Rob Smith, Albert Toeaina and Nick Wilson.

Bounce Back Bolden: Defensive tackle Demonte Bolden simply rolled his eyes in disgust when asked about his performance in Saturday's scrimmage.

"I wasn't too pleased," he said. "That was a horrible scrimmage. I felt like I could do way better than that."

UT coach Phillip Fulmer agreed.

"He watched the film and was shocked," Fulmer said after Tuesday's 40-play scrimmage. "He came out here today and did the little things to try to get better."

The former Chattanooga Tyner Academy star said he played too high and too wild Saturday, much like he did last spring. Bolden, who enrolled at UT in January 2005, is being viewed as a much-needed contributor. Bolden said that necessity brought pressure.

"I felt I had to grow up too fast," Bolden said. "The team chaplain (James Mitchell) just told me to calm down and play my game."

By all accounts, Bolden was much better in Tuesday's scrimmage, thanks in part to a pep talk from UT defensive coordinator John Chavis.

"I had fun today," Bolden said. "Chief (Chavis) told me to just come out here and have fun. I like it better like that instead of going to work. I like it better when I just play."

Bolden rarely played last year after a semester at Hargrave Military Academy in 2004. The inactivity was a far cry from being one of the top prospects in the nation two year ago.

"It gave me time to mature," he said of sitting on the bench in 2005. "I looked at the game differently and stopped being a little spoiled. Coach told me to grow up and I did."

Recruiting Rap: Fulmer cited UT's 2005 recruiting class and its ranking when he challenged some of UT's younger players.

"You talk about having a No. 1 recruiting class the year before last," he said. "It's time you show if you're really number one. Are you really going to play?"

Fulmer said some members of that class have shown promise, particularly linebackers Adam Myers-White and Rico McCoy.

"You don't have to say sic' em to them," said Fulmer, who also cited Ellix Wilson, a member of the 2004 class. "We're real happy with that young linebacking corps."

Pressured Performer: Fulmer said punter Britton Colquitt "shanked" three punts during practice when UT's coaches forced him to kick from his end zone in front of the entire team during a scrimmage period.

"That's enough," Fulmer said, "to get you beat in the conference."

Confounded Consistency: Fulmer was visibly frustrated with his team's lack of consistency.

"You can't be up and down," he exclaimed. "That drives you nuts as a coach. You'd rather coach a guy that is average all the time than a guy that is good one day and crappy the next."

Injury Report: Center Josh McNeil and defensive tackle Matt McGlothlin returned to practice.