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| | Monday, September 4 Oh Henry: Running back will shine, but will Vols? | |||||
| By Pat Forde Special to ESPN.com Tennessee Volunteers 1999 record: 9-3 (6-2 SEC) Coach: Phil Fulmer Returning starters: 10 (5 offense, 5 defense) Outlook Good thing the Vols signed seven national Top 100 prospects in this freshman class -- because they lost nine players last April in the NFL draft, seven in the first two rounds. Five of those drafted had eligibility remaining, which means Fulmer's years of overdrive recruiting will be tested to the utmost. For what seems like the first time in forever, this could be classified a rebuilding year in Knoxville. And it follows the Vols' first single-digit-win season since 1994, when Peyton Manning was a freshman. The questions at quarterback are as pressing as they've been since 1993. Sophomore Joey Mathews is the experienced one in a potential three-man race -- and he threw seven passes last year. Tee Martin's leadership qualities and scrambling ability could be acutely missed. The questions on defense are huge as well and go right up the middle: tackle, middle linebacker and both safeties. This year will be the test of Tennessee's autopilot status -- whether the program is so strong that it perpetuates success even in periods of major turnover. (See: Florida State.) Keep an eye on ... Tailback Travis Henry doesn't have Jamal Lewis to fight for carries anymore, so this could be his bustout season -- especially with an untested quarterback under center. Henry himself said he has his eyes set on a 2,000-yard season. It's a good season if ... The Vols avoid backsliding to third in the East. They've finished second or higher seven years in a row. |
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