Kevin Cooper isn't an en vogue player.

Playing fullback limits his popularity. Most often, fullbacks toil in the shadows and are rarely rewarded for their struggles.

Moreover, fullbacks just aren't what they once were in football. Nowadays, teams - college and pro - are more likely to choose a two-tight end formation over a prototypical lead blocking fullback out of the backfield.

Coaches are quick to point out that the two-tight end set is more difficult for defenses to decipher.

Yet, there is a disadvantage to having a lead blocker sidestepping in the backfield as an H-back or with his hand down as a tight end. Too often tight ends do more shielding than blocking.

"You can come off harder than you would on the line," Cooper said of playing fullback. "Instead of stepping down, you can power that guy. Fullback is better if you want to play smash-mouth football."

Cooper is UT's only true scholarship fullback. Other Vols may play fullback, but they also play H-back and/or tight end.

That doesn't mean that Cooper doesn't have competition for playing time. Each time he steps on the practice field he's representing an entire formation. Cooper believes there should be an "I" (as in I-formation) in his team.

"I know I'm competing with the tight ends," the sophomore from Chattanooga Baylor said. "You can run both (formations) in the scheme of things, but I want them to put the fullback on the field."

That desire has been readily apparent during camp.

"I think he has made some unbelievable gains this offseason," running backs coach Stan Drayton said.

Drayton isn't just pleased with Cooper's lead blocking. He's also been impressed with Cooper's receiving ability.

"He's really made himself valuable on this football team," Drayton said.

Cooper's fantastic fall camp may have never happened had it not been for a devastating knee injury suffered by projected starting fullback David Holbert in spring practice.

Cooper has more opportunity than he ever asked for. He regularly practices with the first and second team - a must considering UT's lack of depth at the position.

Still dripping sweat following a two-a-day workout this week, Cooper just shook his head and sighed when asked about the workload.

"I'm giving it," he said. "I have to get game ready."

And that's no easy task.

"It's hard to find that thumper that can be a short-yardage guy, an isolation guy and can also get out there and route run and beat a linebacker or safety," coach Phillip Fulmer said.

That laundry list of responsibilities is a luxury for a fullback. Lead blocking is an absolute must.

"He's proving he can be physical at the point of attack," Drayton said of Cooper. "He's starting to move people once contact is made. That's something that is new for him."

The Vols found themselves in an odd situation against Cal last season. Needing to convert near the goal line, UT's coaches chose walk-on fullback Ryan Hill to lead the charge out of the backfield.

Hill is to be commended for climbing the depth chart, but for UT it signaled a long fall from its fullbacks of the past, such as Will Bartholomew, Roland Poles or Greg Amsler.

Teams may continue to rely on the two-tight end set, but a fullback will always be in demand.

"Especially here at Tennessee," Drayton said, "where we're going to run the football.

"We need one head banger."

Cooper said he's sick of watching the two-tight end set receive all the glory in college and the NFL. He's ready to prove that there's still room for a tough, physical fullback.

"There's no such thing as a soft fullback," he said. "… Fullback is where my heart is."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.