Warren plans to run through 'T,' play some fullback

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While Brandon Warren is back home, he's still on the move as he prepares for his first game at Neyland Stadium.

The Tennessee sophomore tight end has received a crash course at fullback, adding a different dimension to his role for Saturday against UAB (TV: WVLT, 12:30 p.m.).

Before any play is run, however, Warren has another run in mind.

"It's going to be a treat coming through the 'T' (in pre-game) for the first time," the former Alcoa High School star said with his trademark grin. "I'm looking forward to it."

Warren said he'll have at least 20 family members in attendance. Countless friends and fans are also on the prowl for tickets.

It's a big day for those who have waited for Warren to return home. First, Warren chose Florida State over UT in 2006.

Then, he left Florida State after one semester and was forced to sit out the 2007 season in order to make himself academically eligible to enroll at UT. Lastly, Warren had to wait on the NCAA throughout preseason camp to become eligible.

That was Warren's first frustration of the 2008 season. The season-opening loss at UCLA was the second.

"We just didn't play a good game," Warren said. "That's not what Tennessee is going to look like this year."

When pressed further about the game in which he had only one catch for five yards, the usually affable Warren decided it was time to move on.

"I don't want to talk about UCLA," he said after a long pause. "We didn't play good at all."

Following the UCLA loss, UT's coaches claimed they made every effort to get Warren more involved, along with fellow tight end Luke Stocker, who had only had one catch for 11 yards.

The Bruins made every effort to limit the Vols' inside receivers with tight coverage underneath and it worked.

Since then, the Vols are trying to find ways to capitalize on Warren's varied talents, especially if UT faces a UCLA-like coverage in the future.

That means more plays and a new position has been thrown at Warren. And he's had to absorb it all in little more than 10 days.

"The thing about Brandon is because how athletic he is, we're just trying to see what he can handle from each of those positions," tight ends coach Jason Michael said.

Warren certainly isn't complaining about the extra workload. He's even growing comfortable with his multiplicity.

"I pretty much can line up almost anywhere on the field and understand what to do," Warren said. "I guess they (UT coaches) are going to get me more involved.

"I have to learn a lot more. That's why they put me at fullback, to utilize my versatility."

Learning the playbook wasn't Warren's only offseason challenge. He also was faced with readying himself for game speed after sitting out the 2007 season.

Preparing yourself in the film room and practice is one thing. But nothing can prepare a player for game speed.

"The game is a totally different speed," said Warren, who was a Freshman All-American at FSU in 2006. "Being out of the game for a year, I kind of took some steps back."

That, Warren believes, has already been remedied by his one game back on the field. Now, it's time to really excel - as long as he keeps his cool.

"You can't get too hyped," Warren said. "You've just got to be relaxed and ready to play.

"It's going to be a packed house."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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