Preseason pick: It's just Parker

Center Josh McNeil shook his head and admitted he was insulted to learn that only one Tennessee offensive lineman made the coaches’ preseason All-SEC team.

McNeil wasn’t upset that he didn’t make the team. After all, he’s just a sophomore. But for junior guard Anthony Parker to be the only honoree — and for Parker to only make third team — bothered McNeil.

“I’m sure the other guys that made the team are good players but I think (senior tackle) Eric Young and Parker deserve some respect. They’re some good players and they’re going to be even better this year.”

Parker, on the other hand, was surprised he was even on the list.

“Being picked by the coaches, I think that says a lot as far as getting respect,” said Parker, who started 12 games last season. “I guess it means I played pretty good last season. Hopefully, I can do it again this season. I didn’t expect it.”

Statistics don’t back McNeil’s argument that UT’s play last season warranted more offensive linemen on the team. The Vols averaged 108 rushing yards per game, the lowest total since 1964.

Moreover, UT has long since lost the reputation as a school that perennially has great offensive lines. That’s something else that bugs McNeil.

“We’ve had guys set the tone for what it takes on the offensive line here,” McNeil said. “As a guy that started as a freshmen and is going to have a lot of game experience, I really want to be a part of the offensive line that got things back turned around and got us back to the top of our running game. I would love to be a part of that group.”

Manning Up: For the first time, McNeil addressed his March run-in with the law. McNeil was charged with underage consumption and public intoxication and, subsequently, was suspended for the final five spring practices.

“I made a huge mistake and embarrassed my family and my football team and this great university,” McNeil said. “It was a bad mistake. It was stupid of me. It was selfish. But it also made me sit back and take a look at things.

“I rededicated myself. That one incident has taught me to grow up more than anything that’s happened to me since I’ve been here.

McNeil, who started 10 games for UT last season, admitted his football life flashed before his eyes.

“You realize that one more dumb mistake and everything could be thrown away that you’ve worked so hard to do,” he said. “I don’t want to be one of those guys that was a good player in high school and came to Tennessee and threw it all away. I’m not that type of guy.

“I had to take a step back and look at what I was doing with my life and realized I’ve needed to make some changes. I’ve done that.”

McNeil has plenty of reasons to stay out of trouble. One is pretty personal. It will occur on Oct. 13 when UT plays Mississippi State in Starkville.

“I’m so excited. I can’t wait,” said McNeil, who is from Collins, Miss. “I’ve had that penciled in since the day I signed.”

McNeil considered Mississippi State when he came out of high school as the top center in the nation.

“I considered Mississippi State just because my brother played there,” he said. “But just to be honest, I knew that I was going to go out of state.”

New Marks: At least four UT weight room records will fall this year.

Jacques McClendon set the bench press mark for an offensive lineman at 565 pounds, besting Albert Toeaina’s old record. Just a sophomore, one would think McClendon could easily better that mark and maybe even top 600.

That won’t happen.

“He’ll never do over 500 again,” strength and conditioning coach Johnny Long said. “He doesn’t need to.”

Further such lifting could increase the chances that McClendon could get injured.

“It was a great accomplishment,” McClendon said of the record, “but hopefully I can get out on the football field. I didn’t come here to be a workout warrior. I came here to play some football.”

Walk-on freshman Nick Reveiz power cleaned 362 pounds, besting Al Wilson’s former linebacker record.

Redshirt freshman Luke Stocker set a squat record for tight ends with 525 pounds.

Wide receiver Ja’Kouri Williams set a receiver record with a 415-pound bench press.

Freshman Daniel Lincoln set a record for kickers when he power cleaned 300 pounds.

Testing isn’t over, meaning more records could fall before preseason camp.

Injury Report: Linebacker Ryan Karl will undergo further tests on his back next month. The senior injured his back in a freak weight room accident last month and has been wearing a back brace ever since.

Karl is not expected to miss any playing time but will likely be held out of preseason practice for a week or two.

Big Apple: Former UT football and basketball player Stanley Asumnu will participate in a basketball camp this weekend in New York City.