Tennessee demoted two senior starters on Tuesday following a 45-31 loss to California in the season opener last Saturday.

Defensive tackle J.T. Mapu lost his position to sophomore Dan Williams while Jarod Parrish lost his starting strong safety spot to freshman Eric Berry for Saturday’s home opener against Southern Miss.

“I want everybody to understand that the guys that played the best are the ones that are going to play,” Fulmer said.

Berry started the opener as UT’s fifth defensive back in its nickel package. Berry was then moved to strong safety for the entire second half.

“He brings an energy and he tries to crush people,” defensive backs coach Larry Slade said. “He gets around the football, whether it’s at corner or safety. He’s an outstanding football player.”

Berry had seven tackles Saturday. Parrish had three tackles, one for a loss.

“Jarod has played well,” Slade said. “He’s just got a guy in front of him that’s extremely talented.”

Said Fulmer, “Eric Berry’s a special football player.”

Berry primarily practiced at cornerback since arriving at UT early this summer. Midway through preseason practice, he began seeing time at safety, the position he played at Creekside High School in Fairburn, Ga., as well as quarterback.

“He’s a football player,” Slade said. “You put him out there, he adapts. He sees things. There are some things you can’t coach.

“He’s maybe the best freshman that I’ve coached. He probably comes with a little bit more maturity than most others.”

Williams wasn’t quite as ready when he enrolled at UT. He lost 60 pounds within months of his arrival in 2005, then added strength and improved his technique throughout 2006.

“He’s continued to improve throughout spring practice and this fall,” defensive tackles coach Dan Brooks said. “He’s got his weight in a situation where I think he can help us.

“I think he’s stronger than he was a year ago, without the weight.”

Fulmer said the decision was based on the Cal game, in which Williams had one-half tackle for a loss while Mapu had one tackle.

“Dan Williams played in the game better than J.T. did and he’ll take the challenge,” Fulmer said. “That’ll make us a better football team.”

Williams was surprised when made aware of the change by media assembled for interviews Tuesday.

“When I go out there,” Williams said, “I just try to play 100-percent and give my all for the team.

After making the announcement, Fulmer was adamant in defending the pair who lost their starting positions.

“I don’t want anybody to think for one minute that Jarrod Parrish or J.T. lost the game,” he said. “That’s not the case at all.”

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.