Tennessee has four football practices to find four linemen.

UT's offensive line will be the focus of today's scrimmage and with just three practices next week, there is a sense of urgency in the air.



Senior Arron Sears is the only offensive lineman with more than four starts in his college career.

"The offensive front, this is just huge for him," head coach Phillip Fulmer said after UT wrapped up a shorts-and-helmets practice Friday. "They've got a long way to go."

Senior David Ligon will almost assuredly be a starter in 2006. He started four games at center last year. The question is, "Where will he start this fall?"

Ligon has been playing guard recently as UT takes a long, hard look at redshirt freshman center Josh McNeil.

McNeil returned to practice last week after missing the 2005 season because he was forced to undergo shoulder surgery. He was the highest-rated center in the nation when he signed with UT.

McNeil is a key player for 2006. If he proves he can play center next fall, then UT has the flexibility to move Ligon to guard.

"It would be big for us," Fulmer said of McNeil. "He's a bright guy. He tries to do it right. He's very aggressive. Those are all good things. He has good ability. He just doesn't know yet."

Fulmer said consistency has been his main concern up front.

"There's a couple of young guys that could take over a spot if they would just be consistent," Fulmer said referring to McNeil and sophomore guard Anthony Parker.

Junior Eric Young, sophomore Ramon Foster and junior Steven Jones also are in the immediate mix. Fulmer said redshirt freshman Chris Scott needs to improve.

Fulmer seemed pleased with his quarterback play, in particular junior Erik Ainge.

"Erik right now is playing with as much confidence as I've seen in him," Fulmer said. "That's a very encouraging sign."

Before spring drills began, Fulmer said he hoped to name a starter at quarterback by the end of the 15-practice session. With a week remaining, that goal seems to have been accomplished.

Ainge's chief competition, redshirt freshman Jonathan Crompton, has worked primarily with the second team this spring as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

"Erik's the starter right now because he's got the most experience," Fulmer said. "John's competing hard every day. I think he's going to be all right.

Fulmer said Montario Hardesty may take part in today's scrimmage. The sophomore tailback has been extremely limited after season-ending knee surgery last fall.

"I've got to determine that tonight," Fulmer said of Hardesty's status.

UT also is considering taking the green, non-contact jerseys off the quarterbacks for the scrimmage.

For those participating, fundamentals will be the emphasis, according to Fulmer. That shouldn't be a problem for UT's secondary.

UT returns a veteran group of defensive backs from last year. Fulmer said they have played like he expected.

Fulmer said — as of now — he was not as encouraged by UT's linebackers.

"The linebackers are still just trying to find where to go," Fulmer said. "I'm encouraged about our linebacker group. But I'm not sure how they'll do all the adjustments just yet."

As for positive marks, Fulmer said he was pleased with UT's wide receivers under coach Trooper Taylor, who was reassigned from running backs in January.

Still, the focus will be up front today.

"I don't think, philosophically, we've totally determined what we're going to be just yet," Fulmer said. "A lot off that depends on who those five offensive linemen are."

Swain's Song: Taylor said he didn't expect senior wide receiver Jayson Swain to return to practice this spring because of a sore right knee. Surgery is a possibility for Swain, who had an arthroscopic procedure on the joint last June.

"I think we'll try to get him back for two-a-days," Taylor said.

Taylor admitted there was some indecision within the program concerning Swain's practice status. Taylor said Swain wanted to practice while UT's medical staff labeled him questionable.

"Strictly my decision," Taylor said of the choice to keep Swain out. "It was frustrating to me because he couldn't come out of breaks and then his leg would swell up.

"I'm not going to take that kid's confidence away because he can't physically do it. There's a difference between pain and injury. He's injured."

Taylor said he noticed Swain didn't seem confident in the leg as he looked over last year's game tape. Swain was UT's second-leading receiver with 27 catches and 380 yards in 2005.

"You could see that he was trying to decide which leg to come down on," Taylor said.

Taylor said there was some concern that the injury could be chronic. The test will be how Swain returns this fall.

"We're going to find out," Taylor said.

Get Ready: Taylor said he was going to test former UT basketball player Stanley Asumnu in today's scrimmage.

"I'm going to set him up tomorrow," Taylor said with a chuckle. "He's going to get hit. I promise you."

Asumnu had a couple of drops Friday in his second practice.

"He fits right into the pack with this group," Taylor joked. "Welcome to the club."

Foster's Future: Sophomore tailback Arian Foster ran laps around the practice field during Friday's practice.

"I'm back," Foster said. "I'm going to be all right."

Foster, the projected starter, has been sidelined since the conclusion of last season after undergoing shoulder and knee surgery. He is scheduled to return to the field this summer.