LaMarcus Coker has run his way into a starting job.

Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer announced the redshirt freshman tailback will start this week against Memphis, replacing sophomore Montario Hardesty. Coker rushed for 146 yards on eight carries last week as UT defeated Marshall, 33-7.

"It was Montario then LaMarcus; now it's LaMarcus then Montario," Fulmer said. "He'll have a chance to start the game and hopefully be productive."

Coker will be the third tailback to start for UT in 2006. Sophomore Arian Foster began the season as UT's starter but is still slowed by an ankle injury suffered against Air Force in the Vols' second game.

Foster returned to practice on Monday as the No. 15 Vols (3-1) prepare to play the Tigers (1-2) at noon on Saturday at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (TV: ESPN). Fulmer said he expects Foster to be available this week.

"When we've been at our best, we've had two or three tailbacks playing well," Fulmer said. "Hopefully, we can get to that point."

That point could create quite a competition among three young players who have proved to be capable college backs. Fulmer said he's not concerned about any animosity that might arise. Coker agreed.

"I don't think there will be a problem with jealousy or anybody being unhappy," the former Antioch High School star said. "All of us are pretty close so we all want to see the other one shine just as we want to see ourselves shine.

"I'm pretty sure we'll all be cheering each other on."

Coker will get the first chance to garner such praise, and recapture the emotions that came with last week's 89-yard touchdown run.

"It felt great to finally get that one big run I've been waiting on," Coker said.

Coker wasn't the only one waiting for to see if he could make an impact. Fans were clamoring for the speedy back's debut, especially after UT's coaches admitted he had been overlooked in recent games.

"I'm not really sure what held me back," Coker said. "I know Coach Fulmer made some comments that he wanted me to gain his trust. He told me that a lot.

"They (UT's coaches) were just waiting for me to have that one great week of practice with no flaws. I think that's what I had last week and I'm going to try to do the same thing this week."

That focus is something that eluded Coker last season. He readily admits that an attitude adjustment helped give him the opportunity he had last week.

"I'm glad I was able to take advantage of it but more importantly, I'm glad we were able to get the running game going," Coker said. "That's a big step for our offense."

While UT's ground game showed big-play ability last week, consistency is still in high demand. Aside from Coker's 89-yard run and a 20-yard run by Hardesty, UT's tailbacks averaged 3.7 yards per carry against Marshall.

Coker said his long run was personally satisfying, but it also had a far-reaching effect.

"I think that was a big confidence boost for our offense," Coker said. "That's something that we needed."

The question most surrounding Coker is his size. Can the 5-foot-11, 205-pound runner be a featured back?

"I definitely feel like I can carry the ball 20 times a game," Coker said. "They wouldn't put me on the field if they didn't think that I was capable of doing it."

Coker was plenty capable against Marshall, especially when he showcased the ability to outrun Thundering Herd defenders.

"My ability to avoid hits," Coker said, "I think that's one of the best parts of my game. That will definitely help me be more durable in the long run."

As a Tennessee native, Coker knows the challenge that Memphis will present.

"Memphis really gets up to play us," he said. "That's one of their bigger games of the year.

"There might be a little bit of rivalry there. They'll definitely be ready for us when we get there."