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2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team

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{{{year}}} [[{{{team}}} football]]

The 2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team (variously "Tennessee" or "UT" or the "Vols") will represent the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team will be coached by head football coach Phillip Fulmer, in his 16th season as head coach. The Vols play their home games in Neyland Stadium and compete in the Eastern Division of the SEC. This 2008 campaign comes on the heels of a 10-4 2007 season which saw the Vols win the Eastern Division of the conference and the Outback Bowl.

Before the season

Recruiting

US college sports recruiting information for 2008 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
E.J. Abrams-Ward
LB 		Thomasville, North Carolina Thomasville High 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Feb 6, 2008 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Carson Anderson
G 		Florence, Alabama Florence High 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 275 lb (125 kg) Mar 31, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Preston Bailey
T 		Nashville, Tennessee Montgomery Bell Academy 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 315 lb (143 kg) Aug 29, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Ben Bartholomew
FB 		Nashville, Tennessee Montgomery Bell Academy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Apr 22, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Willie Bohannon
DE 		Prichard, Alabama Mattie T. Blount High 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 230 lb (100 kg) Jan 28, 2008 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Aaron Douglas
TE 		Maryville, Tennessee Maryville High 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 230 lb (100 kg) Jul 31, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Steven Folkes
DE 		College Park, Georgia Banneker High 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Aug 21, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Montori Hughes
DT 		Murfreesboro, Tennessee Siegel High 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 255 lb (116 kg) Jan 28, 2008 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Austin Johnson
LB/RB 		Hickory, North Carolina Hickory High 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 240 lb (110 kg) Sep 24, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Casey Kelly
QB 		Sarasota, Florida Sarasota High 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Jan 30, 2008 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Herman Lathers
LB 		Baton Rouge, Louisiana Scotlandville Magnet High 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Oct 19, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Tauren Poole
RB 		Toccoa, Georgia Stephens County High 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Oct 26, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
StePhan Raines
DB 		Coffeyville, Kansas Coffeyville Community College 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Jan 20, 2008 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:1/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Dallas Thomas
T 		Baton Rouge, Louisiana Scotlandville Magnet High 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 280 lb (130 kg) Feb 6, 2008 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Prentis Waggner
CB 		Clinton, Louisiana Clinton High 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Jan 28, 2008 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Marlon Walls
LB 		Olive Branch, Mississippi Olive Branch High 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Jan 26, 2008 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Rodriguez Wilks
WR 		Smyrna, Tennessee Smyrna High 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Sep 19, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Gerald Williams
DE/LB 		San Francisco, California City College of San Francisco 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Dec 13, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:1/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 35   Rivals: 36
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Tennessee Commit List 2008". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
  • "Scout.com Football Recruiting: Tennessee". Scout.com. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
  • "2008 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2008-02-11.

Coaching changes

Chavis turned down an offer from the Atlanta Falcons.

Tennessee lost 4 members of their offensive staff. Offensive Coordinator David Cutcliffe accepted the Head Coaching position at Duke. Cutcliffe took along OL/TE coach Matt Luke, and RB coach Kurt Roper. Roper will join the Blue Devils' staff as Offensive Coordinator. WR coach Trooper Taylor also left the Vols for a coordinator position, accepting a job as Co-Offensive Coordinator at Oklahoma State.[1]

Cutcliffe was replaced by Dave Clawson, who comes to Tennessee from the University of Richmond where he was the head coach. Joining Clawson from Richmond is Latrell Scott, who will replace Taylor as the wide receivers coach. Stan Drayton, formerly the running backs coach at Florida, was hired to replace Roper as the running backs coach. Jason Michael, formerly on the staff for the New York Jets, was hired to coach the tight ends, replacing Matt Luke.[2]

Defensive coordinator Johnny Chavis interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons but chose to stay at Tennessee. [3] This decision followed a similar decision by defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell. In December of 2007 Caldwell chose to stay with Tennessee and turned down an offer to be the Defensive Coordinator at Arkansas.[4]

Player News

Tennessee was bolstered by the return of safety Demetrice Morley. Morley was a five star recruit out of Miami, Florida who played for the Vols in 2005 and 2006 before being dismissed[5] from the football team and leaving school for academic reasons. After sitting out the 2007 season, Morley was readmitted to the University in January of 2008 and will rejoin the team.[6] Morley told the media that he had been living in his car following his dismissal from the team, but that the birth of his son motivated him to return. [7]

Another defensive back, Antonio Gaines, was awarded a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA in February. Gaines had missed the majority of both the 2003 and 2007 seasons due to injuries.[8]


Discipline

The Volunteer football has also seen its share of off of the field issues since the close of the 2007 season. The first incident of the offeseason occurred during a recruiting weekend. Wide receivers Gerald Jones and Ahmad Paige were cited for a misdemeanor possession of marijuana while hosting a recruit. Neither were suspended, but both were required to undertake more frequent drug testing and participate in a police ride along program.[9]

Another incident involved redshirt freshman running back Daryl Vereen. Vereen was arrested and charged with public intoxication and underage consumption after an on campus fight. [10] Vereen was required to perform community service and will be under a semester-long curfew. Fulmer also required the entire team to attend 6 A.M. running as punishment for the offense. [9]

Offensive lineman Anthony Parker was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct in January. Parker's punishment included morning runs, curfew, community service and the police ride along program. Parker was charged after failing to obey the commands of a Knoxville police officer with whom he had previous run-ins. [11] This incident was followed by the arrest of incoming walk-on Vincent Faison for DUI. Faison was suspended for two games. [12]

In February, linebacker Dorian Davis and defensive back Antonio Wardlow were dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules.[13] The most recent incident of the offseason involved decorated punter Britton Colquitt. Colquitt was suspended for five games after being arrested and charge with both DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. Colquitt also had his scholarship revoked. [14]

Schedule

Neyland Stadium will be the host for seven Tennessee home games in 2008.

August 30UAB*

  September 6at UCLA*

  September 20Florida

  September 27at Auburn

  October 4Northern Illinois*

  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN

  October 11at Georgia

  October 18Mississippi State

  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN

  October 25Alabama

  November 1at South Carolina

  November 8Wyoming*dagger

  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN

  November 22at Vanderbilt

  November 29Kentucky

  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN

 

Template:CFB Schedule End [15]

See also: 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

2007 Players

Projected starting lineups and coaches

Head Coach: Phillip Fulmer (16th year)

Offense

Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks: Dave Clawson
Offensive Scheme: Multiple

Wide Receivers: Latrell Scott
Offensive Line: Greg Atkins
Running Backs: Stan Drayton
Tight Ends: Jason Michael

Offensive outlook

Coaches
Head Coach Phillip Fulmer hired Dave Clawson, formerly the head coach at the University of Richmond, to replace David Cutcliffe as Offensive Coordinator. Greg Atkins (Offensive Line) is the only returning coach on the offensive staff. Joining him are new hired assistants Stan Drayton (Running Backs), Jason Michael, and Latrell Scott (Wide Receivers).

Quarterbacks
The Vols must replace graduate Erik Ainge, a likely selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. The leading candidates are Jonathan Crompton, who started one game as an injury replacement for Ainge in 2006, redshirt freshman BJ Coleman and redshirt sophomore Nick Stephens.

Runningbacks

Arian Foster leads a talented group of returning tailbacks.

Arian Foster saw the majority of time at tailback last season, with relief appearances by LaMarcus Coker, Montario Hardesty, and Lennon Creer. Coker was eventually dismissed from the team following the South Carolina game for a violation of team rules.[16] Foster finished the season with 1193 rushing yards.[17] Foster, Hardesty and Creer all return and look to see significant time in the backfield. Looking to work his way into the rotation will be Daryl Vereen, a highly touted redshirt freshman. The fullback position may also be used more under Clawson, allowing David Holbert to see more playing time. Holbert had been used as a reserve tight end under Cutcliffe's one back offense, but may return to the backfield. Holbert was highly recruited as a fullback out of high school and played that position for the Vols in 2005.

Receivers

Josh Briscoe and 2 other seniors will lead the Vols receiving corp in 2008.

The Wide Recievers were led by Lucas Taylor and Austin Rogers last season. Taylor had 73 receptions for 1000 yards while Rogers caught 56 passes for 624 yards. [17] Both return for their senior season in 2008. Joining them will be Senior Josh Briscoe, Sophomore Gerald Jones, who also sees time at Quarterback, Quintin Hancock, Ahmad Paige and others.

Offensive Line
The Offensive line returns the entire starting group from late in the 2007 season. The line was shuffled after an injury to Eric Young. Josh McNeil will anchor the line at center, with guards Anthony Parker and Jacques McClendon. Ramon Foster and Chris Scott will be the starters at tackle. [18]

Tight Ends
The Tight End position is up in the air following the losses of Chris Brown and Brad Cottam. Brad's brother Jeff Cottam and Luke Stocker are the leading candidates for the starting job.

Projected starters (Note: Does not include incoming freshmen)

Position Number Name Height Weight Class Hometown Games↑
QB 8 * Jonathan Crompton 6'4" 230 lbs. RS-Jr. Waynesville, North Carolina 0
TB 27 * Arian Foster 6'1" 225 lbs. RS-Sr. San Diego, California 0
TE 80 Jeff Cottam 6'8" 260 lbs. Jr. Germantown, Tennessee 0
WR 12 Lucas Taylor 6'0" 185 lbs. Sr. Carencro, Louisiana 0
WR 21 Austin Rogers 6'2" 185 lbs. RS-Jr. Nashville, Tennessee 0
WR 81 Josh Briscoe 6'3" 183 lbs. Sr. Lawndale, North Carolina 0
LT 78 * Ramon Foster 6'6" 325 lbs. Sr. Henning, Tennessee 0
LG 75 * Anthony Parker 6'3" 305 lbs. RS-Sr. Jonesboro, Georgia 0
C 50 * Josh McNeil 6'4" 280 lbs. RS-Jr. Collins, Mississippi 0
RG 65 * Jacques McClendon 6'3" 330 lbs. RS-Jr. Cleveland, Tennessee 0
RT 79 * Chris Scott 6'5" 325 lbs. So. Lovejoy, Georgia 0

[19]

  • * - Denotes returning starter.
  • ↑ - Denotes number of games started by the player at the listed position during the 2008 season.


Defense

Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers / Associate Head Coach: Johnny Chavis (20th year)
Base Defense: Multiple (4-3 and 3-2-6 "Mustang")

Defensive Line: Dan Brooks
Defensive Ends: Steve Caldwell
Defensive Backs: Larry Slade

Position Outlook

Coaches
2008 will be the 14th season as Defensive Coordinator for Johnny Chavis. The Defensive staff had been together and unchanged since the 1999 Season, with Dan Brooks, Steve Caldwell and Larry Slade.

Defensive Line

Tennessee must replace two starters at Defensive End in 2008.

On the Defensive Line, the Vols must replace two starters at end. Senior Robert Ayers and Junior Wes Brown are the leading candidates at those two spots. Tackles Dan Williams and DeMonte Bolden return after starting for the majority of the 2007 season. Providing depth will be tackles Walter Fisher, Chase Nelson, Donald Langley and Victor Thomas along with ends Ben Martin, Andre Mathis, and Chris Walker.

Linebackers
The Vols replace two starters in the linebacker corps. Junior Rico McCoy returns to man one of the outside spots. Ellix Wilson, who started the 2008 Outback Bowl at the middle linebacker looks to earn that job for the 2008 season. The other outside spot is up in the air, with Nevin McKenzie seeing the most time there the previous year.

Defensive Backs
The Defensive Backfield saw a slew of injuries and changes in 2007, but looks to be much more stable and seasoned in 2008. The Vols must replace departing safety Jonathan Hefney. Sophomores Eric Berry (SS), Brent Vinson and Dennis Rogan (Cornerbacks) should return to their spots. SS Demetrice Morley was reinstated in school after academic trouble caused him to miss the 2007 season. He is the leading candidate at the vacant free safety spot. Senior DeAngelo Willingham should also see significant time.

Projected starters (Note: Does not include incoming Freshmen).

Position Number Name Height Weight Class Hometown Games↑
LE 91 Robert Ayers 6'3" 260 lbs. RS-Sr. Clio, South Carolina 0
LT 77 * Dan Williams 6'2" 310 lbs. RS-Jr. Memphis, Tennessee 0
RT 98 * Demonté Bolden 6'6" 290 lbs. Sr. Chattanooga, Tennessee 0
RE 94 Wes Brown 6'3" 270 lbs. RS-Jr. Athens, Alabama 0
SLB 20 Nevin McKenzie 6'2" 210 lbs. Sr. San Antonio, Texas 0
MLB 35 Ellix Wilson 5'10" 225 lbs. RS-Jr. Memphis, Tennessee 0
WLB 5 * Rico McCoy 6'1" 215 lbs. Jr. Washington, D.C. 0
RCB 41 * Dennis Rogan 5'10" 182 lbs. So. Knoxville, Tennessee 0
LCB 13 * Brent Vinson 6'2" 180 lbs. So. Hampton, Virginia 0
FS 7 Demetrice Morley 6'2" 195 lbs. RS-Jr. Miami, Florida 0
SS 14 * Eric Berry 5'11" 195 lbs. So. Fairburn, Georgia 0

[20]

  • * - Denotes returning starter
  • ↑ - Denotes number of games started by the player at the listed position during the 2008 season.

Special Teams

Position Outlook
Sophomore Daniel Lincoln replaced departing Senior James Wilhoit in 2007 and earned All American Honors.[21] Britton Colquitt returns as punter and will handle kickoffs. Sophomores Dennis Rogan emerged as the main kick and punt returner last, with Lennon Creer joining him as kick returner. Both players return.

Projected starters (Note: Does not include incoming Freshmen).

Position Number Name Height Weight Class Hometown Games↑
P 95 Chad Cunningham ‡ 6'3" 210 lbs. RS-So. Dawsonville, Georgia 0
P 47 * Britton Colquitt ‡ 6'3" 205 lbs. RS-Sr. Knoxville, Tennessee 0
PR 41 * Dennis Rogan 5'10" 175 lbs. So. Knoxville, Tennessee 0
KO 26 * Daniel Lincoln 6'0" 204 lbs. So. Ocala, Florida 0
KR 41 * Dennis Rogan 5'10" 175 lbs. So. Knoxville, Tennessee 0
KR 3 * Lennon Creer 6'1" 202 lbs. So. Tatum, Texas 0
PK 26 * Daniel Lincoln 6'0" 204 lbs. So. Ocala, Florida 0

[20]

  • * - Denotes returning starter
  • ↑ - Denotes number of games started by the player at the listed position during the 2008 season.
  • ‡ - Note: Cunningham will be the starter during Colquitt's suspension.

Rankings

See also: 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking Movement
Poll Pre Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9 Wk 10 Wk 11 Wk 12 Wk 13 Wk 14 Final
AP
Coaches
Harris Not released
BCS Not released


See also

References

  1. ^ AP (2008). "Clawson leaves Richmond to be Vols offensive coordinator" (HTML). ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
  2. ^ WBIR TV (2008). "Jason Michael hired as Tennessee tight ends coach" (HTML). WBIR.com.
  3. ^ Drew Edwards (2008). "Chavis interviews with Falcons, staying with Vols" (HTML). Knoxville New Sentinel.
  4. ^ Drew Edwards (2007). "Caldwell passes on Arkansas" (HTML). Knoxville News Sentinel.
  5. ^ Michael Casasanta (2007). "Demetrice Morley dismissed from football team" (HTML). University of Tennessee Journalism.
  6. ^ Drew Edwards (2008). "Fulmer says Morley will return to Tennessee" (HTML). Knoxville News Sentinel.
  7. ^ Drew Edwards (2008). "Birth of son spurred Morley to return to UT" (HTML). Knoxville News Sentinel.
  8. ^ Associated Press (2008). "NCAA grants Gaines a sixth year of eligibility" (HTML). Knoxville News Sentinel.
  9. ^ a b Drew Edwards (2008). "Fulmer disciplines Vereen, makes entire team run at 6 a.m." (HTML). Knoxville News Sentinel.
  10. ^ News Sentinel Staff (2008). "Vereen arrested after fight" (HTML). Knoxville News Sentinel.
  11. ^ Drew Edwards (2008). "Fulmer announces Parker's punishment" (HTML). Knoxville News Sentinel.
  12. ^ Drew Edwards (2008). "Faison 'slumped behind wheel' when arrested" (HTML). Knoxville New Sentinel.
  13. ^ Drew Edwards (2008). "Davis, Wardlow dismissed for violation of team rules" (HTML). Knoxville News Sentinel.
  14. ^ Drew Edwards (2008). "Colquitt suspended for 5 games and loses scholarship after DUI charge" (HTML). Knoxville News Sentinel.
  15. ^ UT Sports Information (16 January 2008). "Future Schedules". UTSports.com. Retrieved 2008-01-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ Benjamin Dishong (03 November 2007). "Coker dismissed from team". Tennessee Journalist. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "http://tnjn.com/2007/nov/03/coker-dismissed-from-team/" ignored (help)
  17. ^ a b UT Sports Information (02 January 2008). "Tennessee - Cumulative Season Statistics". UTSports.com. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "http://livestats.epiccycle.com/tennessee/boxscores/07-08/football/TEAMCUME.HTM#TEAM.IND" ignored (help)
  18. ^ Drew Edwards (28 October 2007). "Injury bug takes a bite". Knoxville News Sentinel. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2007/oct/28/injury-bug-takes-bite/" ignored (help)
  19. ^ UT Sports Information (21 January 2008). "2007/2008 Rosters". UTSports.com. Retrieved 2008-01-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ a b UT Sports Information (21 January 2008). "2007/2008 Rosters". UTSports.com. Retrieved 2008-01-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ WVLT (10 December 2007). "Daniel Lincoln Named Football Writers All-American". MVLT.com. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "http://www.volunteertv.com/sports/headlines/12324036.html" ignored (help)
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