Packer: UT's roller coaster man knows ups and downs

Running back Montario Hardesty has had an up-and-down career at Tennessee. But, nothing like his summer before this season.

"I love roller coasters," Hardesty said. "I went to Six Flags several times. My main thing is the roller coasters. We went on those things all day long and I never got sick.

"When I was a kid, we went to Busch Gardens in Virginia every summer as a family. It was only a 3- or 4-hour drive from our house."

His house was in New Bern, N.C., where Hardesty was a highly recruited running back.

"It came down to Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia Tech," he said. " I also visited Ohio State and Nebraska but those were my three finalists. I actually had committed to UNC but changed my mind as I went through the recruiting process. I developed a great relationship with (former assistant coach) Trooper Taylor and my mom fell in love with the family atmosphere at Tennessee."

At times, Hardesty has shown flashes of that brilliance that attracted all of those big name schools. But, injuries have hampered him during his years at UT.

"My freshman year I tore my ACL," he said. "My sophomore year I had a scope after the season. People tell me that I look faster this year, but I don't think I was slow before."

As for whether he runs with concerns over another injury, Hardesty says no.

"You just can't worry about the possibility of getting injured," he said. "If you do that, that's when you get hurt again. You just have to put it out of your mind and play as hard as you can. That's what I do every time I step on to the football field.

"I am definitely healthier this year. I've worked my tail off to help this team win. I don't care how we do it, or what we have to do win, we're going to do it."

Hardesty used to be a pretty good basketball player, but those days are over.

"When the injuries happened, I stopped playing," he said. "I just have to concentrate on football now. The last thing I need to do is get hurt playing basketball. I loved playing, but I love playing football even more."

Hardesty is off to a good start to his junior season. At times he's looked like the most dynamic of UT's running backs.

"We have a great group of running backs," Hardesty said.. "I just always have to be ready when my number is called.

"Even when Arian (Foster) leaves after this season, I'll just be one of the guys in the backfield. We have a great offensive line."

Hardesty has had a number of great runs in his time at UT, but none compare with his first touchdown.

"That touchdown run against Cal my freshman year was my favorite," he said. "I just kept hoping that the officials wouldn't blow the whistle and stop the play because I kept my legs moving and knew I could break free. When I got to the end zone I remember feeling that the 5-6 season was truly behind us and my injury was behind me. It was a great feeling."

Hardesty isn't sure what his future will hold with football, so he's preparing as though he won't be playing in the pros.

"I'm working on a sports management degree," Hardesty said. "I'd like to work at a major college, like Tennessee, or with a team in the NFL. I love the game of football and I want to be around it for the rest of my life. If I'm not able to play for years to come, I have to find a way to be around it. Being in management with a school or team may give me that chance."

Mark Packer hosts the Locker Room, presented by Parkwest Medical Center, on Sunday at 10 p.m. on MyVLT2.