Sophomore Brent Vinson remains buried on Tennessee's depth chart.

After playing in every game last season and starting 10, Vinson was listed as a third-team cornerback in UT's preseason media release.

Defensive backs coach Larry Slade said Vinson did not practice with the first team Monday during UT's closed practice.

"We'll see what happens," Slade said. "It's a great competition."

Vinson declined to comment on why he has yet to regain his starting position.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Vinson is close to, if not, 100-percent recovered from offseason shoulder surgery in January, but still said that could be a factor.

"He's coming off a shoulder injury and there's a lot of competition there (in the secondary)," Fulmer said.

Vinson is listed behind sophomore Dennis Rogan and senior Antonio Gaines at the right cornerback position.

Freshman Report: Fulmer said freshman Steven Fowlkes from Banneker High School in College Park, Ga., has moved to defensive end from wide receiver.

"He's a heck of an athlete," Fulmer said. "He's got a great attitude. You don't always get receivers that are anxious to go over there and play defensive end.

"He said, 'Coach whatever you want me to do. I'm blessed to be here.' "

Another freshman, Ben Bartholomew from Montgomery Bell Academy, has been practicing at linebacker. One of the more versatile athletes in the 2008 signing class, Bartholomew could also get a look on offense, likely at fullback, according to Fulmer.

Bartholomew could also play tight end or H-back.

Practice Report: The Vols will hold one more practice in shorts and shoulder pads today before practicing in full pads Wednesday, the first day of full contact. Fulmer said UT had "a little bit of contact" Monday.

To deal with the heat, UT held a long break in the middle of Monday's practice. A scheduling quirk should also help. Because of class conflicts, the Vols have moved their afternoon practices back an hour.

Center Josh McNeil said UT's offensive line is practicing like five returning starters, which they are.

"For the first three days we've started off pretty strong," the junior said. "Usually the first couple of days there's a lot of mistakes and people are rusty."

Comparing Coaches: Tailback Montario Hardesty is playing for his second running back coach in two years. Last year, it was Kurt Roper before he left to be the offensive coordinator at Duke. This year, it's Stan Drayton, who coached at Florida last season.

"I think he's been pushing us a little bit harder," Hardesty said of Drayton. "I'm going to work hard regardless of the coach."

Happier Returns: Safety Eric Berry was asked at UT's media day Saturday if he wanted to play on special teams.

"Yeah, I want to block for Rogan," the sophomore said. "We want him to take it to the house (on punt returns). That's our goal.

"We told him, 'We'll take care of the other stuff. You just get by the punter this year.' "

Berry joked about Rogan eluding defensive backs and linebackers but being tackled by a Vanderbilt punter last season.

"Then, he got tackled by a punter two or three times this spring," Berry said with a laugh.

Berry Blitz: Berry said UT's experience on defense will mean more wrinkles this fall.

"They've put in a lot of new coverages and formations," he said. "Right now, they've (the coaches have) been talking to me about blitzing a little more.

"I think Chief (UT defensive coordinator John Chavis) feels real comfortable about the defense this year. He's back in the lab. I think he has a lot of trust with us."

Berry said he blitzed only three or four times last season.

"Sometimes, it's fun," he said. "It's just not fun when a 6-8 tackle gets a hold of you."

John Adams contributed to this report.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.