Ayers comes full circle in Tennessee career

Photo by Michael Patrick

Tennessee defensive end Robert Ayers deliver a hit to Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson during last year’s game against the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Photo by Michael Patrick

Tennessee defensive end Robert Ayers deliver a hit to Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson during last year’s game against the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

When Robert Ayers got the news he would represent Tennessee along with teammate Arian Foster at last week's SEC Media Days in Alabama, he couldn't have been happier.

Forget for a minute that trip consists of almost non-stop interviews for some 3 1/2 hours with regional and national radio, television and print journalists, a task that's about as much fun as, say, running a marathon in the desert this time of year.

But for Ayers, being chosen by coach Phillip Fulmer to represent Tennessee was an honor, especially considering the way his career began.

"Jerod Mayo, Erik Ainge, Arron Sears, Peyton Manning, guys like that have come down," Ayers said. "For (Fulmer) to choose me to follow after those guys is a great privilege."

It's one Ayers has certainly earned.

Sometime before the 2007 season, Fulmer called the senior defensive end into his office and delivered a simple message: It's time to grow up.

"I've had a couple meetings with Robert about those kinds of things," Fulmer said. "Robert's taking a few hugs of necks a few kicks in the butt, at the same time."

This time, though, Ayers agreed and promised to get with the program. So far, he's kept that promise, and he's never been more productive in his career.

Last season, he was arguably Tennessee's best defensive lineman, and he didn't even start a game. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound South Carolina native also led the Vols with four sacks and 12 tackles for loss. This spring, he shared most improved player honors on defense with defensive back DeAngelo Willingham.

But more than that, he's finally matured to the point where teammates and coaches view him as a leader.

"I think his maturity has grown leaps and bounds," says Foster, who came to UT with Ayers in 2004. "You can see how he carries himself and his character has changed really 180 (degrees)."

Ayers, one of several players who had run-ins with the law prior to the 2005 season, credits his coaches for his turnaround.

"My career got off to a rocky start," he said. "The coaches stuck with me. They believed in me. They confidence in me becoming a good player. They led me in the right direction."

Inky Johnson, a former defensive back whose career ended following a traumatic shoulder injury in 2006, also gets a lot of the credit, too.

Johnson, who remains an active part of UT's football program as he finishes his degree, is Ayers' roommate. He's also a calming force and close friend.

"He's a special person," Ayers said. "He's an inspiration for all of us to want to do good."

And, heading into his senior season, Ayers has done plenty of good after that rocky start on Rocky Top.

He'll start at defensive end, and he'll even play a little defensive tackle early, a sign of his continued growth as a player.

He's on pace to graduate, too.

"Anybody in Clio, South Carolina wouldn't have believed that at that particular time because he wasn't serious about his school work," Fulmer said. "He's represented the team well the last couple of years as he's grown from a really young and immature guy. He has grown up and become quite a football player."

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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