Reveiz brothers could give fans double-take

Editor's note: The original story had the numbers for Nick Reveiz and Shane Reveiz incorrect.

A roster will come in handy for those eyeballing Tennessee's linebackers in Saturday's Orange and White Game.

For the record, Nick Reveiz is No. 56. His brother, Shane Reveiz, is No. 45.

"We're like best friends," Shane said. "We're always together."

The two former Farragut standouts might end up together again - on the field this fall. Shane is running second team at strongside linebacker. Nick is running first team at middle linebacker.

The two have more than a similar position in common.

Shane says the two share a common, hard-nosed approach to the game. Before the game is a different story.

"We're a lot alike but in the same way we're really different," Shane said. "He's a very serious guy on the field. Before a game he won't talk. He won't say anything.

"Me, I'll be jumping around, yelling a lot. I'm just a real carefree guy. I love getting excited. I love playing ball."

Sometimes the different approaches to preparation results in some physical contact.

"Before a game I'll hit him on the helmet and he'll have to push me away," Shane said with a smile.

Shane started practice at weakside linebacker but was moved to strongside midway through spring. He's enjoyed the move as it has allowed him to blitz more often - a must at strongside linebacker in defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin's system.

And if Shane, a sophomore walk-on, has any questions he can always turn to his brother, a junior with plenty of game experience.

"We really help each other a lot," Shane said. "I'm really glad to have my brother on this team. We feed off each other. It's awesome."

Monte's Men: Monte Kiffin has seen plenty of safety Eric Berry to be impressed even though Berry's surgically repaired shoulder has limited the junior throughout spring practice.

"Where does he rank?" Kiffin said. "I would say this: Wherever I am, whatever (NFL) team I'm with, and there's 32 teams, whatever pick I have in the first round, I'm taking Eric Berry."

Kiffin spent much of his long, distinguished NFL career seeing weaknesses in the players he coached.

"Some people are really good in the box. Some people are good in the middle of the field. Some people got great ball skills," Kiffin said. "They've got everything, but you kind of wish they liked football a little more. Maybe they can be a leader."

If Berry has a weakness, Kiffin hasn't found it.

"He can run, he can hit, he loves football, he's a leader, he's a good guy, he's smart," Kiffin said. "Isn't there something that maybe he's not as good at? I don't know. I haven't seen that yet."

Kiffin has also been impressed with defensive tackle Dan Williams, even though there has been less of him to be impressed with.

"When we got here, he was 338 (pounds) and he weighs about 313 now," Kiffin said. "He really bought in. You can't play that heavy. He's a better player now."

System Man: Receiver Quintin Hancock has separated himself from his competition and UT's defensive backs with great regularity this spring, as evident by being named UT's most improved offensive player in spring practice.

Hancock maintains it's not just his play that has led to his standout performance.

"They just know how to get you the ball," the senior said, referring to Lane Kiffin's offensive system.

That same system has traditionally relied on big receivers. At 6-foot-3, 207 pounds, Hancock can fit the bill.

"They had big receivers in the past that had success in this offense," Hancock said. "I think it helps."

Hancock said his size helps most on UT's deep routes in which he can beat a smaller defender for the football.

Ed Said: Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron lauded UT's most improved defensive player, defensive end Chris Walker, but added that UT's entire defensive front deserves acclaim.

"He's got a spark in his eye," Orgeron said of Walker. "I think you could say that for most of the defensive linemen. Those guys have bought into what we're doing. I think they've had a tremendous spring."

Drew Edwards contributed to this report.