Hooker: Given shot, UT freshmen excel

I can only imagine what opposing recruiters call Lane Kiffin. Most words that come to mind can't be printed here.

One moniker that certainly wouldn't apply is "liar". The first-year Tennessee coach has lived up to his recruiting promises. Freshmen are certainly getting a chance to play, just as Kiffin said they would.

That makes ranking the freshman contributions a bit challenging. Fortunately, I've never been afraid of a good challenge:

When a freshman is compared to All-America safety Eric Berry, you know he's good.

Jackson, the defensive back from Barbe High School in Lake Charles, La., has proved an aggressive headhunter in run support and a consistent defender in pass coverage.

I keep waiting for Jackson to slip up and give up a big play - as freshman safeties often do - but that hasn't happened.

Jackson locked down the starting job in the Vols' second game and has 22 tackles (most among freshmen), a pass break-up and a fumble recovery.

The top-rated tailback from Wichita (Kan.) East High has lived up to the hype. Brown has 250 yards on 55 carries for a 4.5-yard average and two touchdowns. He's also proved to be a threat in the passing game with eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.

It's hard not to imagine how much more productive Brown could have been this season if not for a sore hip and the emergence of senior tailback Montario Hardesty.

Brown's 18 points are second only to Hardesty's 42 among non-kickers at UT.

The former Henry County High star has the look of a consistent, dependable receiver.

Teague has eight receptions for 100 yards for a 12.5 average and two touchdowns. Those numbers would have been higher had UT's coaches not forced banged-up, older players into the lineup, a mistake to which they have admitted.

The talented defensive tackle from Siegel High in Murfreesboro hasn't shown the consistency to land a starting job but he has played in every game.

Hughes has two tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry. His stats, however, belie his effect on games this season. When Hughes is at his best, he's a disruptive force with a bright future.

Despite a tendency to turn in some of the most bizarre punt returns in recent memory, the shifty speedster from Pahokee (Fla.) High has helped the Vols this season. And, despite the punt return adventures, he hasn't lost a fumble.

When he's not straddling a bouncing ball on punt returns, Richardson is averaging a team-leading 11.8-yards on five rushing attempts for 59 yards as a quarterback or a receiver on an end around.

His 41-yard run against Auburn on the opening play gave fans a glimpse of his explosiveness. Then his clutch reception to keep a touchdown drive alive against Georgia showed his reliability. Richardson has five receptions for 48 yards as his role in UT's offense continues to grow.

Richardson also has 220 yards on 10 kickoff returns.

Count me among those who would like to see the Oku get more carries. Still, with limited opportunities, the shifty star from Carl Albert High in Midwest City, Okla., has had an impact.

Oku leads the Vols with 13 kickoff returns for 273 yards. His 21 yards per return has been hampered by shaky blocking at times. Oku's longest return is 35 yards.

Offensively, Oku has 11 carries for 50 yards for a 4.5-yard average and two touchdowns. He has caught two passes for 13 yards.

Which UT linebacker has the most potential? Easy. Greg King.

The former Memphis Melrose High standout registered his first start against Ohio in place of LaMarcus Thompson, who was injured. More recently, a sore knee has slowed King, who has a tackle for a loss and a pass broken up.

If it weren't for Jackson, Myles would be higher on this list. UT's coaches showed their confidence in the standout from Carver High in Atlanta when they played him extensively at free safety in place of suspended defensive back Dennis Rogan. Myles responded well.

He has three tackles and broke up a pass.

Edwards, who is from Glenville Academic Campus in Cleveland, Ohio, has two tackles and has played in every game this season. He has big-play ability but his consistency needs to improve before he can be trusted as a full-time cornerback.

Mitchell-Thornton proved a solid emergency backup when Thompson went down. The linebacker from Stephenson High in Stone Mountain, Ga., has seven tackles, one for a loss.

Dave Hooker can be reached at hookerd@knoxnews.com.