J.T. Mapu is doing everything he can to get more involved in Tennessee's defensive tackle mix.

He's just not quite there yet.

A former starter in 2003, Mapu is still trying to get back in physical shape after a two-year Mormon mission.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Mapu got in on about 25 to 30 snaps in the Vols' 35-18 season-opening victory last week against California. He didn't record a tackle.

"I'd like for J.T. to lose a little more weight," Fulmer said. "He's working himself into condition and that's a process.

"I was in the weight room this morning at about 5:50 and he was in there on the treadmill."

For now, Fulmer still sees Mapu coming off the bench to spell starters Justin Harrell and Matt McGlothlin for approximately 20 to 30 snaps against Air Force on Saturday.

Fulmer also said Thursday he's impressed with recent offensive line convert Chase Nelson. The Vols continue to search for depth at that defensive tackle spot.

"Chase has improved," he said of the freshman. "He played defensive tackle as a sophomore and junior in high school.

"The first day he got knocked all over the place because he was playing too high. But I think he's a really good prospect, whether it's inside or outside.

"Right now he can help us more inside and I would say he'll get a chance to play this year."

Demonte Bolden and Dan Williams provide some more depth inside. Williams turned an ankle Wednesday, but should be available on Saturday.

Fulmer also said junior college transfer defensive end Walter Fisher should be cleared for practice on Monday after an offseason shoulder injury.

That could eventually lead to senior Turk McBride moving back inside to tackle from his end spot.

Smith Questionable: Wide receiver Bret Smith has been listed as questionable against Air Force.

Smith suffered a concussion against Cal.

"He would probably be available in an emergency," Fulmer said. "You evaluate each one of those concussions on their own merit, and there's certain things they have to go through to past muster to go back to practice. He hasn't been able to do that yet.

"I think he'll be fine if we needed to play him. He's a senior and has played a lot of football, but I sure would have preferred he had gotten some practice."

Expect to see more of Lucas Taylor and Austin Rogers at the receiver spot if Smith can't go.

Cunningham Rewarded: Freshman Chad Cunningham, originally expected to greyshirt and be put on scholarship in January, was added to the dress list for the California game and has been placed on scholarship.

"I should have announced that a few days ago," Fulmer said. "We were able to give Chad a scholarship and he's out here creating some depth and competition at the punter and kicking positions."

Cunningham's scholarship opportunity arose after the NCAA Clearinghouse failed to admit Gerald Williams, Cody Pope and Stephaun Raines last week.

"I'd love to help Casey Woods (holder) right now," Fulmer added, "but some of those guys who didn't make it, a couple or all three of them, will be back in December and I need to have a scholarship available for them."

More Mayo: Linebacker Jerod Mayo, already named the Walter Camp Football Foundation and SEC defensive player of the week, was named the CAREacter "Star Athlete of the Week."

The CAREacter program selects an athlete each week based on five traits - attitude, character, grades, community service and performance - in order to honor players for the contributions on and off the field.

Mayo, who had seven tackles and three sacks against Cal, is a regular at UT community service events.

Coaches at UT will select a "star athlete" in each sport each week.

The CAREacter program also includes local high schools and other colleges.

Mayo also was named the VOLScholar of the Week by the Thornton Athletic Student Life Center.

Worker Thank You: The UT Athletic Department is saying thank you to construction workers responsible for completing Phase One of the Neyland Stadium renovation.

Employees of Johnson & Galyon and McCarty, Holsaple, McCarty will be guest of UT at the Air Force game.

"I met a lot of the workers on the project and most were Tennessee fans," UT athletic director Mike Hamilton said in a release. "However some of the biggest Tennessee fans on the project said they had never been to a game in Neyland and we thought this was a neat thank you."

Big Year For VASF: The athletic department also announced it was a record-breaking year for the Volunteer Athletics & Scholarship Fund.

Donations for this past fund-raising year were $31.86 million, an increase of $6.7 million from 2005.

Drew Edwards contributed to this story