Alright, I know we've been here before.

About this time last year Tennessee seemed destined to land a mobile, athletic quarterback to lead the post-Jonathan Crompton era. The Vols had two quarterbacks on the hook.

Joe Chaisson was so interested in playing for the Vols and said he'd be willing to change positions, if needed. Travaris Cadet was supposed to be Brent Schaeffer with a better attitude.

UT's early interest cooled on both. Chaisson signed with Arkansas. Cadet signed with Toledo.

Now there's a new crop of ultra-athletic quarterbacks poised to be key signees for the 2008 signing class. And it seems as if history -- to this point at least -- is repeating itself. The question is: Will all the early interest between UT and a running quarterback result in a Signing Day union?

Terrelle Pryor is one of the early candidates. Pryor, who plays for Jeannette (Pa.) High School, has the entire country after him. Pryor said he's not even close to naming a group of leaders but has interest in UT.

"They've (Tennessee's) coached some good quarterbacks," the 6-foot-5, 220-pounder said.

Unlike last year, UT's chances of landing a running quarterback may depend more on the prospect than UT's coaches. Last year, the Vols backed off Chaisson and Cadet. This year, they'll have to fight for Pryor.

UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe can't comment on specific prospects, as per NCAA rules, but outlined what he looks for during his evaluations of quarterbacks.

"Mobility is something you look for in all of them," Cutcliffe said. "Do we necessarily need to have a runner? No. Peyton Manning is a very mobile quarterback in the pocket."

When recruiting a quarterback, participation in other sports, such as basketball or baseball, is a good sign.

"That athleticism is critical," Cutcliffe said.

While Cutcliffe's pro-style system doesn't place a premium on a quarterback's ability to run outside the pocket, he does recognize the added dimension that such an athlete can bring.

"When you get a guy like Tee Martin -- and Heath Shuler was the same way -- you can use some of their running as a weapon," Cutcliffe said. "My philosophy is to get the best quarterback possible whether he's a runner or not.

"Having a runner is not a necessity. It's not something we have to have to be successful. There are so many other weapons for a quarterback."

Running quarterbacks have long held a special place in the hearts of Vol fans. Whether it's Condredge Holloway, Shuler or Martin, fans often clamor for the passer who's willing to tuck and run.

That, however, won't be why UT signs such a player.

"If we could sign Heath Shuler or Tee Martin all over again, we would," Cutcliffe said, "but not because they're runners."

Big Man, Big Target: I just can't help getting a sense of dA(C)jA vu with Antoine McClain, the offensive lineman from Anniston (Ala.) High.

Like Arron Sears in the 2003 class, McClain is one of the top offensive linemen in the South. Like Sears, McClain would seem to have a great opportunity at UT, where signing offensive linemen is goal No. 1.

"They were just saying how they needed some linemen really bad," the 6-6, 315-pounder told GoVolsXtra.com when asked about his meeting with coach Phillip Fulmer and assistants Greg Adkins (offensive line), Kurt Roper (running backs) and Trooper Taylor (wide receivers).

McClain met with UT's coaches last weekend during the Orange and White game, when Sears' family accepted the Jacobs Trophy, which goes to the top offensive lineman in the SEC.

Why wasn't Sears present? He was undergoing a private workout for the Indianapolis Colts in preparation for April's NFL draft.

Not bad footsteps to follow.

Still, McClain will have to endure months of in-state pressure from Alabama fans -- not to mention judge the countless other offers he'll have.

Fulmer would never admit it but pulling one of the top prospects from Alabama in coach Nick Saban's first year would be quite a feather in UT's recruiting cap.

Back Again: If his travel schedule turns out to be a good indicator, UT is in great shape with Robert Quinn, the 6-5, 245-pound defensive end from Fort Dorchester High in North Charleston, S.C.

Quinn visited UT last fall for the Florida game. He was back last weekend. Even that heartbreaking 21-20 loss to the Gators last season, Neyland Stadium made an impression.

"The crowd had me stunned the whole game," Quinn told GoVolsXtra.com. "I was like, 'Whoa. I can be playing in this?' I thought they should have beaten Florida and Florida went on to win the national championship. That says Tennessee could've gone on to win it, too."

Quinn has scholarship offers from UT, Florida, South Carolina, Auburn, Alabama, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson, North Carolina and Maryland.

The Gators have an advantage, given they signed Quinn's former teammate, defensive end Carlos Dunlap, last February.

Parking Pass: Terrance Parks still plans on making an early decision -- just not as early as first reported.

The 6-2, 200-pound defensive back from Creekside High in Fairburn, Ga., originally planned to announce his decision this summer. But with UT and Florida battling, Parks said he'll most likely wait until he takes official visits to both schools before announcing his decision.

"I want to take an official visit," Parks said Thursday.

Former teammate Eric Berry acted as tour guide during Parks' trip to Knoxville last weekend. Berry played at Creekside with Parks before signing with UT last February.

"He's been telling me to go where I think it's best for me," Parks said of Berry.

Parks, who plans to enroll in college in January, met with three UT coaches during the trip, Fulmer, defensive coordinator John Chavis and Taylor, who is Parks' primary recruiter.

"I was real impressed," Parks said of the meeting.