North Carolina didn’t just put up a good fight for tailback Montario Hardesty. They chased him too.

Tennessee assistant coach Trooper Taylor just smiles when he recalls the battle for the former star prospect from New Bern, N.C.

"I went to his home to visit him," Taylor said. "The coaches from North Carolina had been there the day before so they couldn’t go back into his house (because of NCAA rules).

"But they parked in front of his house while I went into his home. When we went somewhere, they followed us all around the town the whole time."

The Hardesty family could only sit and watch in amazement.

"They were sitting outside the house just like they were on a stakeout," Hardesty’s father, Kevin Hardesty, said. "I got a chuckle out of it."

Montario Hardesty was more than just a prospect to UNC. He was the prospect.

Hardesty was widely considered one of the top tailbacks in the nation and one of the top prospects among a loaded senior class in the state of North Carolina.

Hardesty’s recruiting status has proved to be prophetic. He is expected to carry most of the rushing load for the Vols (2-0) in Saturday’s game against Florida (2-0) at Neyland Stadium (TV: WVLT, 8 p.m.). Sophomore Arian Foster has been battling an ankle injury suffered in last week’s win against Air Force.

Hardesty was a bit of a surprise pickup for UT’s highly rated 2005 signing class. Some UT fans likely considered Hardesty an added bonus. After all, he was committed to North Carolina until a last-second change of heart.

"It wasn’t over until right toward the end," Taylor recalled.

Hardesty’s best counsel in the recruiting process was his uncle, Donnie Hardesty, who played football at Fisk University in Nashville.

Hardesty drove home after his official visit last fall. He wasn’t happy. His personality and that of UT commitment and running back LaMarcus Coker mixed like oil and water. Hardesty said at the time that he felt pressured to commit to UT by coach Phillip Fulmer.

Fulmer knew who to call.

"I remember it very distinctly," Donnie Hardesty said. "I had a conversation with coach (Fulmer) and he mentioned that he was contemplating going to North Carolina."

Donnie Hardesty knew he had to talk to his nephew.

"Do you really think you’ll be happy as a football player going to North Carolina?" he said. "Now if you play basketball that would be a great place to go."

Donnie Hardesty didn’t have a preference, but he knew his nephew. He knew he wanted to win.

"Whose the most likely to win a title?" he asked.

UT was poised to win a title last season, and Montario Hardesty was one of the best young players on the team.

The recruiting ordeal was tough on Hardesty, who Taylor describes as a "country kid." But the most challenging days were still to come.

Hardesty had impressed UT’s coaches early last season. The freshman even surpassed UT’s more experienced tailbacks to secure the backup position behind starter Gerald Riggs Jr.

Then fate struck. Hardesty suffered a season-ending injury when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Ole Miss on Oct. 1.

"There were countless nights where he would call after his knee surgery," said Kevin Hardesty. "Of course he was down."

Montario Hardesty tried to pick himself up after the injury but the knee wouldn’t cooperate. There were setbacks as he tried to return to the field during spring practice and preseason camp.

Most often it was swelling. Sometimes it was a self-admitted lack of confidence in his surgically repaired knee.

"Those were tough times," Kevin Hardesty said. "Especially coming into last season with the talk that he had potential to be a great back there."

Montario Hardesty cited his family as his support group during his recovery. His mother was especially important. The message from the Hardesty clan was clear. Move on.

"It is what it is," his father said.

While the Hardestys were worried from afar, Taylor had the same concerns nearby.

"I was worried that he was going to go in the tank," said Taylor, who coached UT’s running backs last season before moving to wide receivers for this season. "Most of it’s mental. Nobody’s asking about you. Nobody’s talking about you. Nobody’s even counting on you because you’re not in the mix."

Taylor should know. He suffered a career-ending injury during his senior season at Baylor.

"I tried to make him understand that it’s not where you start," he said, " it’s where you finish."

Hardesty’s career at UT is far from finished. In some ways, it’s only beginning.

"The more time I get to play," he said, "the better I should get."

Hardesty should get plenty of time to play Saturday. Not even the best-laid recruiting plan could stop that.

"I guess they didn’t put enough in the car because it didn’t work," Taylor said, recalling North Carolina’s stakeout ploy. "I’ve never done that, but I thought it was a pretty unique idea to be sitting outside of a man’s house.

"We did pull a few jokes. We drove through Dairy Queen just to see if they’d follow us through the drive-through."