KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Five true freshmen are among the possible starters for the Tennessee Volunteers when they open Sept. 5 against Western Kentucky.
Tennessee released a depth chart for the game on Friday that listed running back Bryce Brown, wide receiver Nu'Keese Richardson, defensive tackle Montori Hughes, cornerback Mike Edwards and free safety Janzen Jackson as freshmen who may start.
Coach Lane Kiffin has repeatedly said all players would have a chance to win a starting job.
"These coaches, they stuck to that so much, and I respect them so much for that," said junior Nick Stephens who is listed as backup to starting quarterback Jonathan Crompton. "I couldn't have asked anything more of coach Kiffin and these other coaches. It was a great opportunity."
Kiffin did not address the media after the depth chart was released on Friday afternoon.
The depth chart lists Brown or senior Montario Hardesty as the starting tailback with freshman David Oku behind them, though all three could see playing time in a game.
Projected to start with Richardson from a wide receiver corps depleted by injuries is senior Quintin Hancock, who did not catch a single pass last season.
Kiffin had already announced Crompton would start at quarterback and senior center Cody Sullins would start as Josh McNeil recovers from knee surgery. Junior Luke Stocker is projected to start at tight end and junior Kevin Cooper at fullback.
Also listed as offensive starters are: senior tackle Chris Scott, senior guards Vladimir Richard and Jacques McClendon and either redshirt freshman Aaron Douglas or junior Jarrod Shaw at tackle.
All-American safety Eric Berry was the only Vol with a guaranteed starting position at the start of fall camp. He will be joined in the secondary by sophomore right cornerback Art Evans, sophomore Anthony Anderson or Edwards at left cornerback and Jackson or junior Dennis Rogan at free safety.
At defensive line is junior ends Gerald Williams and Chris Walker, senior tackle Wes Brown and either senior tackle Dan Williams or Hughes. Junior LaMarcus Thompson, junior Nick Reveiz and senior Rico McCoy will start at linebacker.
Richardson is listed to return punts and Oku and Rogan to return kickoffs. Junior Daniel Lincoln will start at place-kicker and junior Chad Cunningham will handle punts and kickoffs.
The Vols completed one last tough practice on Friday and were scheduled to do light scrimmaging work on Saturday before beginning their Western Kentucky game week preparations.
"Everything is getting ready for Western Kentucky now. After that big scrimmage (on Aug. 15), practice is a little toned down and all of that, but it's still high-tempo. Right now, a lot of us are basically still just fighting and battling, and the coaches are still pushing us hard, and we're just trying to come out here and deliver," Richard said.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 62
koamalina writes:
One more week until the new era in Tennessee football begins. I wish it were today!
ColeTrickle writes:
This says a lot to recruits that playing time at Tennessee is very possible for incoming freshmon if you come in and COMPETE! Go Vols
ColeTrickle writes:
anyone surprised to see Bryce listed as the co-starter with Hardesty? I am glad to see this and its really good to see him cleared by the NCAA as well.
TommyJack writes:
Somewhere FHCPF is knashing his teefs.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
In what closet was the family caste system stored?
ColeTrickle writes:
looks Poole is the odd man out at RB
rockytop#413695 writes:
Looks like Poole has been pushed down the depth chart by the froshmen. Hard to believe that they are that good already. Poole looked like the man in the Orange and White game! This could get real interesting. Also, didn't mention Teague. I thought he was outperforming Richardson most of the time.
mbradshaw1#655539 writes:
Strange there is no mention of Pool. I thought he was running pretty well. But I'm sure he will get his reps because I don't see all of the running backs going all year without injury.
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
gohawks1 writes:
And clapping his hands, no doubt.
bspurlingcac#225603 writes:
It sounded like Poole had a great camp. He will get some playing time. I would thinks Kiffin will play a ton of guys everywhere to maintain the team first culture. Hopfully he will try to win games by more than 1-2 points so that we can get the back up players more playing time.
Go Vols!!!
imw8n4u writes:
This is really a double edged sword. It's good to see the freshmen are talented enough to get the nod, but what does that say about the level of talent the last few years?
HollySpringsVOL writes:
This is exactly what I was thinking too.
But, I have faith in CLK that he will put the best team on the field and coach them up to do their best. GO VOLS!
Cldvols1 writes:
The Vols sound like they're shaping up nicely. Playing freshman, who are game-ready, shows future recruits they have a chance of going to UT and playing right away. I look for the Vols to get a big name QB coming out of high school next year. I'm with freetdtn, the future for the the big orange looks very promising. V,O,L,S Go Vols Go!!!
OrangePride writes:
Speaking of PF, one of the things that has struck me about this entire August preseason camp is that CLK has given new meaning to the words, "work like heck."
Cldvols1 writes:
That's why we went 5-7 last year and CLK was brought in bc of his recruiting ability at USC. Along with CEO the Vols have to get back to getting the big name HS players. Seems to be working so far...
Orangeblood13 writes:
All I have read aboout is how good Poole looks and he is doing this and that. I hope he gets in the mix.
Pullingguard writes:
That decision was probably part of the recruiting process.. You come, you play.. not bad deal, he will probably do well.
DC_Vol writes:
I can't beleive all the freshmen who are starting. Kiffin was speaking the truth about freshmen competing for playing time at UT. Recruits will see Kiffin's honesty and early playing time as reason to come to Tennessee in the future. Thanks to Kiffin's honsty about earning your position, we will recruit even better than we already have in the future.
Does anyone know why Quinton Hancock had no catches last year and now he is our #1 receiver? It seems to me Quinton even if not the first or second receiver last year should have seen the field and caught a few passes. Was he in CPF doghouse for some reason?
jsm67vol writes:
Agree 100%. If Kiffin tells the nation that freshman will have a chance to play immediately and none do, then its just lip service. Having some frosh on the field starting game 1 shows that this staff means what it says. Never forget these guys are always recruiting they never stop! Go Vols!!!!
tennezz writes:
We will pay the price early for playing these freshmen, But it will pay off big time later in the season and in the future, This will also help our recruting! Its good to see Kiffin is a man of his word when he said freshmen would be given every chance to start!
mistercc12#1372322 writes:
Quintin Hancock for what I know did not catch a ball last year was because the coaches never really used him. They used the ones from the previous years. They were not lke CLK. He went out and made them compete. He had 3 balls thrown to him last year and that was the only part of the offense he was involved in accept for blocking duties. Every article I read on Hancock is he did not record a pass last year. Well it's not like the QB situation at UT was all that great under that poor system last year. Enough is enough about him not catching a pass last year.
doubledown writes:
I think it makes great sense to start these Freshman against Western Kentucky. This will be the easiest game on the schedule, and a good warm up for them in front of a large, loud crowd in Neyland stadium.
I like Poole too, and I think his time will come in a ction against UCLA, then Florida. Starting vs playing is two different things, I hope he gets quality snaps within the rotation as well.
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Part of it has to do with injury. For example, if Gerald Jones or D. Moore was healthy would Nukeese be starting? Probably not. As far as Hughes starting in front of Dan Williams: I think we all can agree that UT found a diamond in the rough with Hughes. Remember, Dan Williams was no slouch last year.
imw8n4u writes:
I think his play last year had much less to do with him and a lot more to do with the offensive line and QB play. None of the receivers did much of anything last year.
knoxvol98 writes:
Hopefully we will just win the games, thats no guarantee
HtownVol writes:
the only problem I have with this depth chart is Nick Reviez starting. He is n ot a SEC LB. I think we have better players than Nick. Other than that I cant complain.
Volsnfl writes:
GO VOLS!!!
OrangePride writes:
Not sure I agree with you here HT. Nick certainly is not the physical prototype of an SEC linebacker, I think we all agree. BUT, he is very quick, very strong, and hits like a train. I have watched him very closely in the scrimmages and he has looked quite decent. As to "better players," well, I'm not convinced that any of the others are a big step up. I'm willing to give this young man his chance and you and I will just have to "root like heck" that he does well (lol). GO VOLS!
Volsnfl writes:
Try this out,GO VOLS!!http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup....
DC_Vol writes:
imw8n4u,
I see your point about the level of talent the last few years, however I really believe our lack of success was not the fault of the players but due to the coaching of players and last years Clawfense debacle.
According to Scout.com, UT's recruiting classes 2005-2009 ranked 1, 24, 4, 35, and 8. This tells me the cupboard is not bare. The players just need to be coached to succeed. I beleive playing full speed throughout camp this year will result in a more prepared team. I really think we are going to surprise everyone this year with our play.
ChattaVegasVol writes:
If Monte says that Reviez is the best MLB on the team,take it to the bank! He will have a huge year,not flashy just works his butt off. Leader. Go Vols!!!
justincredible369#357762 writes:
really feel bad for tauren poole he has consistently given his all for the vols
txvolsfan writes:
On a Krispi Kreme
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
4 and 2 are extremely big stretches... BYU playing for the title, and Stanford winning the Pac 10. Stanford is going to have a good team, but I can't imagine them beating out Cal, USC, Oregon, Oregon State, and Arizona. They will win atleast one of those games, but they won't win the Pac 10. The BYU one is a little more likely... but Oklahoma would hit a new all time low if they don't handle BYU. BYU has no defense, not that Oklahoma has an SEC calibur defense, but they should be able to limit BYU to about 30 points, and Sam Bradford can surely muster up the points against BYU to beat that.
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
you know what would be funny... if someone could find out where the Florida Gators stay the night before the game, duct tape the doors to make sure they can't get out, and set up some concert speakers outside their room to blast Rocky Top all night long... that would be SWEET!
Fryinpansvols writes:
Ok guys we're less than a week out now and it's time to start buckling the pads on. The Lane Kiffin Era begins and hopefully with a bang!
InertGas writes:
Like a true Vol he will continue to give his all and good things will happen to him.
Voluvr writes:
Jessie Scroggins would be pro in 4 yrs. with a title at Tennessee. In 4 yrs. at USC he'd be getting his first start. I hope that young man wakes up.
V0LUNT33R writes:
I'm not sure if this has already been said somewhere, but VOL fans need to be pulling for the USC frosh QB (Barkley) to play really well this year. Although, do we even want Scroggins, after he committed elsewhere?
Voluvr writes:
BTW we cannot take WKU for granted. Their O Coord. Walter Wells is a river boat gambler. He has been touted as a young Spurrier.
We all know what happened when Spurrier came to Knoxville with Duke. It got him the Florida job when Dickie told his buddies doing a search they might want to talk to this young coach from Duke.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Amen.
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
I know they didn't mention Teague, but yesterday the Chattanooga paper released the depth chart and it had Teague backing up Quintin Hancock and Warren backing up Richardson. Don't worry, Teague is gonna play the first game.
Voluvr writes:
What is it. You might want to give a description. I dont' think people will want to go on a site that has penalties and warnings on it.
Bearwuzacheater writes:
All visiting football teams stay at that hotel right next to McGhee-Tyson Airport (can't remember the name) It is on the same side of the highway as the airport and you can get to it from the airport before you get to Alcoa Hwy.
We are all now depending on you to follow through with your great idea and torture the gayfers the entire night of September 18.
ChattaVegasVol writes:
I watched the elite 11 camp on ESPNU the other day and Bray is head and shoulders ahead of Scroggins! One of the camp coaches said Bray would be either a starter or backup in the NFL for 10 years. Every interview i've seen with Scroggins, he sounds very imature, reminds me of Josh Brisco if you catch my drift.Go Vols!!!
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
anyone have a count on how many times we were told that Eric Berry was the only player guaranteed a starting job?
I know it would be tough on some of your, but it sure would be nice to see a full thread and the comments posted without naming or bad mouthing the former coach. I for one am getting sick of it.
TennesseeTrojans writes:
I hope that if we get a big lead on Western Kentucky that Kiffin plays every Freshman that signed this year.
halloffamebowler writes:
If nick was not an SEC linebacker,Kiffin would not be starting him,But maybe you need to tell Kiffin he is starting the wrong man.Glad to know you have been to all the practice sessions and are a better judge of who should be starting than paid coaches.Sounds as if Hammy hired the wrong man for head coach.
AlpharettaVol writes:
Where is Warren?
OrangeMagic writes:
It actually is impossible for many of the posters to not bad-mouth the former coach or bring up a food reference. Think about what you're asking. You're asking for an increase in maturity level from someone who obviously doesn't have it to start with. Can't give you what they don't have. Most of the time, I just try to ignore them, they're probably compensating for something else :)
Looking forward to the new Kiffin era, though, I believe he and the new coaching staff will get the most out of our players.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.