The Bartholomews refuse to stay off the football field.

Never mind that former Tennessee fullback Will Bartholomew never got a chance to play in an NFL game or that his younger brother's season at Montgomery Bell Academy came to an end when it didn't make the state high school playoffs.

Both brothers will still be out there -- playing and competing.

Will's little brother, Ben, will join the family this week for some touch football. For the first time, he'll be a rising college prospect during the backyard Bartholomew brawl.

It may not be the same as a high school clash or a college rivalry, but it's a Bartholomew Thanksgiving tradition.

The determination to compete in football shouldn't come as a surprise to fans who remember Will, the physical fullback who played at UT from 1998-2001 and was a captain his final year. He was an undrafted free agent by the Denver Broncos and released during training camp after an injury settlement. Now, it's time for fans to meet Ben, a UT prospect with a similar mindset.

"Ben has the willingness, the desire and the coach-ability," Will said. "That, in this day and age, is something that a lot of teams want. Teams need that."

"I think we both just love to play the game. We both just have passion for the game. It's just ingrained in us."

Ben is beginning to receive the attention thanks to his 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame and lineage. The Bartholomews' grandfather, Sam, was a blocking back at UT from 1937-39 and was a captain during his senior year.

Ben had 19 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and six sacks as a junior this season.

"As an older brother, it's fun," Will said of watching Ben go through the recruiting process. "It's exciting."

Ben isn't your average high school prospect. He's had the good fortune to learn from a brother that not only played in the SEC and NFL, but also started a training center, D-1 Sports Training, specifically designed for athletes looking to extend their high school careers. Ben has been training with Will since he was in the eighth grade.

"From a form and technique standpoint," Will said, "he really has mastered a lot of stuff that a lot of kids struggle with because he learned it at such a young age."

Ben is being recruited by UT, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt to play linebacker or fullback.

"I've played some (fullback) this year but linebacker's my main position," Ben said.

At his brother's behest, Ben said he is keeping his options open. That's a bit out of character for the Bartholomew family, which tends to attack projects aggressively.

"I think it's more of just a competitive nature," Ben said. "We compete in football ... video games. Our family motto has always been 'Faith, Family, Football.'

"This year has really been my breakthrough year. Last year people knew about me but coaches still thought about me as Will's little brother. This year I've made my own name."

Indeed, Ben's ascension has gotten Will's attention.

"He's a lot further along that I was at that age," Will said. "He's so much bigger than I ever could have imagined in high school."

Will may find himself in a tough position as the recruiting process plays out. He obviously wants Ben to play at UT but also wants his younger brother to make the decision for himself.

"I don't want him to feel pressured to play there just because I did, but as a guy that breathes orange, I want him to go there," Will said. "It would just be awesome.

"I know he'd be around great coaches. I know what they're about. You're so influenced by those coaches. I'd love for him to have that experience."

Ben, who has posted a 4.55-second time in the 40-yard dash, grew up a UT fan but admits there are some in his family who root for Vanderbilt, including his father, who went to law school in Nashville.

"I'd love to follow in the footsteps of Will but I'm keeping my options open," Ben said. "A lot of schools are looking good."

Mid-Term Enrollees: UT is expecting seven players to enroll in January. Although academics are far from complete, Franklin receiver Todd Campbell, Donald Langley from Seneca Valley in Germantown, Md., and offensive lineman Darris Sawtelle from Brother Rice in Birmingham, Mich., are planning to be mid-term signees.

UT is also expecting January arrivals from four prospects from the 2005 class that were forced to postpone their arrivals because of academic shortcomings. Linebacker/defensive lineman Gerald Williams from Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy and Brent Vinson from Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., are supposed to be cleared academically by January.

Offensive lineman Cody Pope from Cathedral Catholic in San Diego, Calif., and Stephaun Raines from Dalton, Ga., are taking care of academic matters. Pope is looking to achieve a satisfactory score on his college entrance exam. Raines is retaking a high school course.

The more mid-term signees, the better for the Vols, who can back-count the prospects to last year's class meaning UT can sign even more prospects in the 2007 class. The influx of prospects should provide immediate help that UT needs, considering its 2006 class was whittled down to 14 because of academics and dismissals.