2003 Statistics

Quarterback
Few players start their football careers at Wake Forest and wind up as a starter for a school like Tennessee, but that is the path of C. J. Leak to be the '04 starting quarterback. Surprisingly, Leak begins his sixth season of college football (he sat out as a transfer and received a medical hardship year) without much actual game experience. He is more of a physical specimen than his predecessor, Casey Clausen. Leak is big, strong, agile, and possesses all the tools to be successful. If he falters, James Banks, who spent last year at wide receiver, will challenge for the job. Banks is an outstanding all-around athlete but, like Leak, has limited experience under center. Tennessee won't be able to ask for much from the quarterback position early on. They do have a couple of great names here, though. Claussen's younger brother Rick has transferred in from LSU, and they also have Jim Bob Cooter. With a name like that, Cooter is halfway toward becoming a legend in the South.

Running Back
Cedric Houston will lead the Vols running game. He has averaged over five yards per carry in each of his three seasons, but has often been nicked up and never developed into a workhorse. Jabari Davis will again be counted on to convert short-yardage situations and be a change of pace from Houston. Davis complements Houston's speed and quickness with more straight-ahead running strength. Gerald Riggs, Jr., who showed flashes of brilliance in 2003, will see spot duty. Tennessee's running game was a big disappointment last season, and coach Phil Fulmer will likely rotate all three backs and see if one of them can develop a hot hand.

Wide Receiver
None of the Volunteer wideouts have established big-play credentials. Starters Tony Brown and Jayson Swain have decent speed and good hands, but have proven to be mainly possession receivers. Chris Hanson, a former high school quarterback, could prove to be the downfield threat Tennessee needs. He scored seven touchdowns on only 21 receptions in 2003 and could develop into an important weapon. The Vols need to stretch the field and give their running backs more room to work. With a new QB, this ability for the WRs to consistently spread the field will surely reflect the Vols' entire team destiny.

Tight End
Tennessee doesn't throw much to their tight ends, but they do have some outstanding blockers. Victor McClure, listed at 6'4" 290 lbs., moved over from guard but essentially plays as a sixth offensive lineman. Backup Jake Finalayson gives the Vols a massive front wall in two tight end sets.

Offensive Line
The youngest group on the Tennessee roster will be anchored by tackle Michael Munoz, son of NFL Hall of Fame tackle Anthony Munoz. A second-team All-SEC performer last year, Munoz has yet to live up to his recruiting hype or his breeding. The Vols desperately need him to take that step with so much inexperience surrounding him. Cody Douglas will start at guard, but is Tennessee's most versatile lineman and can fill in anywhere, as can starting center Jason Respert. Both are big and strong, but they are part of a line that will take a while to jell, if it does at all.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The Volunteers' offense was just ranked a very disappointing 73rd, and it may be worse this season. Coach Fullmer has to figure out how to get consistent, grinding, time-eating possession-type productivity from an inexperienced quarterback and line without having a workhorse running back or a game-breaking receiver. There is plenty of unrealized potential at every position on the offense, but it will have to come together as a greater sum than its misaligned parts quickly, or else risk making life very difficult for the Tennessee defense.

Defensive Line
Tennessee's line features Parys Haralson, an explosive playmaker who led the team with 12.5 tackles for loss. Haralson is small for this position in the SEC, but his tremendous quickness enables him to get around larger offensive lineman, and his speed allows him to cover a lot of ground. Haralson is the only full time returning starter, but he should get some help from incoming recruit Jesse Mahelona. Rated by Rivals.com and TheInsiders.com as the top junior college defensive tackle in the nation in 2003, Mahelona is known for showing up in opponents' backfields. If he is fully recovered from a broken ankle, he will contribute immediately.

Linebacker
Kevin Simon will again be a key to the Vols' defense. He shared the team lead in tackles despite a physique more suited to a safety. Simon's freakish quickness and tremendous football instincts always put him around the ball, and he is strong enough to finish plays. Teammate Kevin Burnett also forces many negative yardage plays and is a team leader. Burnett came back from reconstructive knee surgery in '02, while Simon recovered from a broken ankle the same year. Both will need to stay on the field for Tennessee's defense to succeed in 2004.

Defensive Back
Jason Allen is being counted on to anchor a stingy pass defense for the Vols. Allen is a big hitter for a cornerback and likewise is a particularly good tackler in the open field, something he may have to do often to save the day. Luckily, he makes his biggest plays in clutch situations. As the only returning starter, Allen's leadership will be critical to keep the secondary together. Antwan Stewart came on strong at the other corner toward the end of last season, excelling in pass coverage when opponents threw away from Allen. Both safety positions are manned by youngsters. Corey Campbell is the best of the bunch, possessing outstanding speed for a safety, and he, too, is a solid tackler.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The Volunteer defense is one that concentrates on preventing big plays by opposing offenses but doesn't make very many themselves. In other words, they keep the play in front of them. With three new starters up front, Tennessee will have difficulty controlling the line of scrimmage, which could hinder their strong linebacker corps. The Vols have two good cover men at the corners, but their safeties will be vulnerable. Tennessee will be more susceptible to giving up big plays, and they will need to focus on forcing more turnovers to make up for it.