ESPN College Football

2011 record: 5-7
2011 conference record: 1-7
Returning starters: Offense: 10; defense: 8; kicker/punter: 2

Top returners:
OG Dallas Thomas, WR Da'Rick Rogers, OT Ja'Wuan James, WR Justin Hunter, TE Mychal Rivera, QB Tyler Bray, LB A.J. Johnson, S Brian Randolph, LB Curt Maggitt, LB Herman Lathers, CB Prentiss Waggner

Key losses:
RB Tauren Poole, DT Malik Jackson, DE Ben Martin, LB Austin Johnson

2011 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Tauren Poole (693 yards)
Passing: Tyler Bray* (1,983 yards)
Receiving: Da'Rick Rogers* (1,040 yards)
Tackles: Austin Johnson (81)
Sacks: Malik Jackson (2.5)
Interceptions: Austin Johnson (4)

Spring answers

1. Tyler Bray's leadership: No one has questioned Bray's arm as he can sling it with the best of them. But his heart has been questioned, and he knew it heading into spring. He never considered himself a real leader until this year, when he decided to take his job more seriously. Bray said players listened to him more in practice and respected him more as a person, not just a player. Bray can now be looked at as someone to rally around and look up to. He's finally learning how to be a real quarterback in this league.

2. Richardson's revival: Tennessee's offensive line took a lot of heat last season and for good reason. The Vols were last in the SEC and 116th nationally in rushing. The line needed to find a spark and rising sophomore Antonio Richardson might be just that. His potential has always impressed coaches and after playing on special teams last year, he came out of the spring as the starter at left tackle. Richardson is an extremely athletic and gifted player and the coaches feel confident that he can protect Bray's blind side.

3. Lathers' and Hunter's health: Linebacker Herman Lathers and wide receiver Justin Hunter did all the right things this spring. Lathers missed the 2011 season with an ankle injury, while Hunter missed most of the season after tearing his ACL in against Florida last September. While both still aren't 100 percent, the coaches feel confident that both will be by the fall. Hunter got some good work in this spring and even flew by some players in a scrimmage. Lathers' ankle progressed more and more and thinks he'll be right on track come fall practice.

Fall questions

1. Defensive comfort: Tennessee returns eight defensive starters, but it welcomed a brand new defensive coordinator in Sal Suneri, three other new coaches and a new defensive scheme. Sunseri would like to run more 3-4 this fall, but it'll take time for his players to adjust and Tennessee isn't sure if that comfort level is quite there yet. Tennessee players will also have to continuing adjusting to the new coaching faces they'll be working with this fall. It's important that this defense, which is still relatively young, get on the same page exiting camp.

2. Running the ball: Rising sophomore Marlin Lane showed nice improvement, but he finished the spring tied with Rajion Neal and Devrin Young at running back. So, the jury is still out on whether this team will be able to run the ball more consistently this season and Tennessee might have to look to its incoming freshmen for more help. While the running backs struggled last year, the offensive line was another reason for the Vols' shortcomings in the rushing department. There was a lot of movement up front and improvements need to start there before Tennessee can even think about handing the ball off more.

3. Defensive tackle: There's a lot of uncertainty and inexperience at tackle, and a lot of of players listed as co-starters on Tennessee's post-spring depth chart. Maurice Couch had an up-and-down 2011 season and now will be called to take on more responsibility now that Malik Jackson is gone. Daniel Hood, who was recovering from shoulder surgery this spring, Steven Fowlkes, Darrington Sentimore and Gregory Clark will all get chances in the middle. Also, keep an eye on incoming junior college transfer Daniel McCullers, who the coaches think can contribute immediately.

Time for some links.

• Arkansas' offensive line is pressing on with out starter Jason Peacock.
• Depth on Florida's defensive line is a concern this spring.
• The hybrid safety/linebacker spot will be a key position in Ole Miss' defense.
• Josh Boyd is looking to fill the shoes of former Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.
• Tennessee offensive lineman Dallas Thomas is happy to move for Antonio Richardson.
• Derek Dooley is ready to see the Vols in pads.
• Competition is fierce as Alabama looks to reload its secondary.
• Arthur Lynch is looking to take over as Georgia's tight end.
• Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is providing the right highlights for the Bulldogs this spring.
• LSU's tight ends are showing excitement in the Tigers' passing game.
• Auburn's running backs are looking to step up this spring.

The SEC announced the top performers from Week 2. Here is a look at them:

SEC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

• QB TYLER BRAY (Tennessee) -- Bray threw for a career-high 405 yards and had four touchdowns, while completing 34 of 41 passes for a school-record 82.9 percent in Tennessee’s 45-23 win over Cincinnati. His 34 completions were the sixth-most in school history and he extended his school-record and current SEC-best streak of consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes to eight. He also rushed for a touchdown against the Bearcats, giving him the only five-touchdown effort in the SEC this season.

SEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

• S MARK BARRON (Alabama) -- Barron recorded seven total tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in Alabama’s 27-11 win at Penn State. His interception ended a Penn State drive at Alabama's 9-yard line in the third quarter and the fumble recovery stopped the Nittany Lions at the Alabama 35-yard line.

SEC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

• DE MELVIN INGRAM (South Carolina) -- Yes, you're reading this correctly. Ingram took a direct snap on a fake punt and ran 68 yards for a touchdown and also caught an onside kick at end of game to seal South Carolina’s 45-42 win at Georgia. On defense, Ingram recovered fumble and ran it 5 yards for a touchdown late in fourth quarter to put the Gamecocks up by 10.

SEC OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK

• OG ALVIN BAILEY (Arkansas) -- Bailey and the Arkansas offensive line helped the Razorbacks' offense total 632 yards of offense, the sixth-highest total in school history, in Arkansas’ 52-3 win against New Mexico. The Razorbacks recorded 34 first downs, which tied for the second-highest total in school history. Arkansas quarterbacks completed 26 of 39 passes for 373 yards and two touchdowns. Arkansas also rushed for 259 yards and four touchdowns against the Lobos.

SEC DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK

• DT ROB LOHR (Vanderbilt) -- Lohr collected four total tackles, all for losses, and a pass deflection, in Vanderbilt’s 24-21 win against Connecticut. His four tackles totaled 13 yards of losses and also included a 1-yard sack. Vanderbilt’s defense held the Huskies to just 89 rushing yards on 36 carries, an average of 2.5 yards per attempt.

SEC Co-FRESHMEN OF THE WEEK

• RB JOSH CLEMONS (Kentucky) -- Clemons rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. His touchdown as a school freshman record 87-yarder, in Kentucky’s 27-13 win against Central Michigan.
• RB ISAIAH CROWELL (Georgia) -- Crowell rushed for 118 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown and had two catches for 40 yards and another score in Georgia’s 45-42 loss to South Carolina.

OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES FROM WEEK 2:

• OL WILLIAM VLACHOS (Alabama) -- Received the top grade on the Alabama offensive line against Penn State. Allowed no sacks, no pressures and did not get called for any penalties.
• WR COBI HAMILTON(Arkansas) -- Caught five passes for 132 yards and a touchdown against New Mexico.
• RB MICHAEL DYER (Auburn) -- Rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns against Mississippi State.
• P STEVEN CLARK (Auburn) -- Punted six times for a 45.7 yard average, including four punts inside the 20, two of which were inside the 10, against Mississippi State.
• RB CHRIS RAINEY (Florida) -- Registered 162 yards of total offense, including 119 on the ground and a touchdown, against UAB.
• K CALEB STURGIS (Florida) -- Went 3-for-3 on field goals and 4-for-4 on extra points against UAB.
• CB/RS BRANDON BOYKIN (Georgia) -- Set school record with seven kickoff returns for 184 yards and also had two tackles and interception against South Carolina.
  LB DANNY TREVATHAN (Kentucky) -- Totaled 13 tackles, three for losses, an interception and pass deflection against Central Michigan.
• WR RUEBEN RANDLE(LSU) -- Caught five passes for 121 yards against Northwestern State.
• RB/RS JEFF SCOTT (Ole Miss) -- Totaled 210 all-purpose yards (118 rushing yards)and a career-high four touchdowns against Southern Illinois.
• DE WAYNE DORSEY (Ole Miss) -- Had three solo stops, two for losses, a sack, interception and pass deflection against Southern Illinois.
• LB CAMERON LAWRENCE (Mississippi State) -- Credited with 14 total tackles, 12 solos, with 3.5 for losses, a sack and forced fumble against Auburn.
• RB MARCUS LATTIMORE (South Carolina) -- Had 176 rushing yards on 27 carries and a touchdown against Georgia.
• OT DALLAS THOMAS (Tennessee) -- Part of an offensive line that saw Vols tally 531 yards of total offense against Cincinnati.
• CB CASEY HAYWARD(Vanderbilt) -- Had four tackles, one for loss, and returned interception 50 yards for a touchdown against Connecticut.

Chris Low talks to Tennessee offensive tackle Dallas Thomas.

Best story: At the conclusion of the Mark Richt Camp during Aaron Murray's senior year of high school, he was tossing the football around with a girl when offensive lineman Ben Jones, then a freshman at Georgia, informed Murray's father that Murray's girlfriend was "gorgeous." Murray's father then delivered a classic, stone-faced line.

"My dad turns to Ben and says, 'Son, that's my daughter right there,'" Murray said.

Best self-endorsement: Tennessee might not have to search too far to find its next athletic director. When asked who he thought might make the best choice for the hire, Vols coach Derek Dooley didn't hesitate with an answer: "The best athletic director I ever worked for was at Louisiana Tech." Of course, he meant himself.

Best analogy: Kentucky linebacker Danny Trevathan nominated Florida's Jeffery Demps as the toughest running back to bring down because of his blistering speed. He's faced Demps since high school and likened his size and speed to a rascally rodent.

"It's hard to chase a rat," he said.

Best hair: Tennessee offensive tackle Dallas Thomas has been growing his hair for six years and had it up and in huge, thick braids going down his back. It takes roughly an hour and a half to braid it up, but don't worry: He doesn't have issues putting his helmet on.

"I don't have any problems," he said. "I just braid it back or put a skullcap on and it just slides right on."

Best chance to make "Dancing With the Stars": Auburn tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen's Riverdance-type dance routine he showed off during last year's Alabama game is gaining more popularity. There is even a video on YouTube named "Teach Me How to Lutzie" that has more than 50,000 views.

"It's pretty much everywhere," Lutzenkirchen said. "I go somewhere and someone says something about it. It's funny that it's what I'll be remembered for, that touchdown more than any others, but it's all fun and games."

Best piece of advice: When asked what he thought Kentucky had to do to make a push to compete in the SEC East, quarterback Morgan Newton advised his teammates to stay off one of the most popular social media outlets: "Don't tweet as much. That Twitter will get you."

Best record: Dooley and his Volunteers might have been 6-7 in the win-loss column last season, but he has another way of looking at the season after games against LSU and North Carolina ended in clock controversy.

"I told everybody I was 8-7 in postgame handshakes last year," Dooley said. "It was a remarkable feat."

It's almost here, folks. SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala., are just a week away, which means the regular season is just around the corner.

You're ready for some football, and we're definitely ready for some football.

You can always find an interesting story or two at media days and there are always a few surprises here and there.

What will the coaches say about paying players? What will players say about paying players? What will be the reactions to the new rules on oversigning? Who will have the snazziest suit? Who will drop the best/funniest quotes of the week?

And of course, which fan base will have the most representation during the three-day event?

Each team will be bringing three players, along with the head coach. There are some good names on this year's list, including Ole Miss defensive end Kentrell Lockett. He's not only fun to talk with but has one of the more interesting stories to follow, considering his 2011 season was up in the air a few months ago.

Two youngsters that should get a lot of attention are South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore and Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray. Big things are expected from each one this fall, so it will be interesting to see how they deal with the media onslaught.

This will be Will Muschamp and James Franklin's first go-rounds at media days. Florida's new coach will also be bringing much-criticized quarterback John Brantley with him, but senior defensive tackle Jaye Howard won't make the trip. Too bad because he has a great personality and is fun to talk to.

Alabama coach Nick Saban, running back Trent Richardson, safety Mark Barron and linebacker Dont’a Hightower should get a few cameras and tape recorders in their faces next week. Alabama enters the fall as the likely favorite in the league and everyone will let Saban and his crew know that when they arrive Friday morning.

One disappointment is that South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia won't be around. The troubled athlete is looking to clean up his image in Columbia, but we won't have an opportunity to hear what he has to say as he attempts his transformation. Luckily, coach Steve Spurrier will be in town, meaning there should be some good laughs and great quotes. Plus, I'm interested to see if he's had more thoughts on compensating student-athletes.

I’m sure a few more personalities will come out next week, so it should be fun.

Here is a complete list of players and coaches for next week's event.

WEDNESDAY
First Rotation: 1 -- 3:50 p.m. ET

Arkansas
Coach Bobby Petrino
RB Knile Davis
WR Jarius Wright
DE Tenarius Wright

Florida
Coach Will Muschamp
QB John Brantley
DE William Green
WR Deonte Thompson

Second Rotation: 3:20 -- 6 p.m. ET

South Carolina
Coach Steve Spurrier
WR Alshon Jeffery
RB Marcus Lattimore
DT Travian Robertson

Mississippi State
Coach Dan Mullen
RB Vick Ballard
DT Fletcher Cox
QB Chris Relf

THURSDAY
First Rotation: 8:30 -- 11:20 a.m. ET

Kentucky
Coach Joker Phillips
OG Stuart Hines
CB Anthony Mosley
QB Morgan Newton

Georgia
Coach Mark Richt
CB Brandon Boykin
C Ben Jones
QB Aaron Murray

Second Rotation: 10:50 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m. ET

Auburn
Coach Gene Chizik
WR Emory Blake
DT Nosa Equae
TE Phillip Lutzenkirchen

Tennessee
Coach Derek Dooley
DL Malik Jackson
RB Tauren Poole
OL Dallas Thomas

FRIDAY
First Rotation: 8:30 -- 11:20 a.m. ET

Alabama
Coach Nick Saban
S Mark Barron
LB Dont'a Hightower
RB Trent Richardson

Vanderbilt
Coach James Franklin
CB Casey Hayward
LB Chris Marve
QB Larry Smith

Second Rotation: 10:50 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m. ET

Ole Miss
Coach Houston Nutt
RB Brandon Bolden
DE Kentrell Lockett
OT Bradley Sowell

LSU
Coach Les Miles
LB Ryan Baker
QB Jordan Jefferson
WR Russell Shepard

The big uglies up front on the offensive side are our focus today. There are some quality veterans out there, but teams all across the league are looking to replace some quality linemen in the trenches.

Here's how we see the league stacking up:

1. Alabama: Four of Alabama’s five linemen from a year ago return, making this one of the team’s strongest units. The returners have combined for more than 70 starts at Alabama. Barrett Jones is the star of the show. The junior has been the Tide’s starting right guard each of the past two seasons, but took reps at left tackle and could be asked to move. William Vlachos is back at center and could be the best at his position in the league. Fellow starters D.J. Fluker and Chance Warmack are back and took reps at left tackle this spring.

2. Ole Miss: The Rebels’ offense isn’t getting much respect this offseason, but its offensive line returns All-SEC candidates in tackles Bradley Sowell and Bobby Massie. Seven of Ole Miss’ linemen started two or more games each on the offensive line in 2010. Last season, the Rebels were first in the league in sacks allowed, giving up just 14. Alex Washington should stay at left guard after starting eight games there and A.J. Hawkins will likely get the nod at center after playing eight games there as well. Arkansas transfer Matt Hall will compete for time at center.

3. LSU: Joseph Barksdale might be gone, but the Tigers have a very talented group of linemen returning. Tackle Alex Hurst seems primed to be a star in the league and senior Josh Dworaczky is arguably the Tigers’ top lineman with 25 career starts. Patrick Lonergan is solid at center, while T-Bob Hebert is valuable at both center and guard. Sophomore Chris Faulk has the tough assignment of replacing Barksdale, but made quite the impression on his coaches this spring.

4. Kentucky: The Wildcats return four starters on their line. Right guard Larry Warford headlines the group after gaining second-team All-SEC honors a year ago. Kentucky also returns two-year starter Stuart Hines at left guard and Matt Smith at center, who was solid in his first year there. Left tackle Chandler Burden missed spring practice, but is expected back by fall practice. Finding a suitable right tackle is the next step for Kentucky.

5. Tennessee: This group could be one of the most impressive units for the Volunteers this season. It’s deeper and more experienced in Derek Dooley’s second year and he was very pleased with its performance this spring. Junior Dallas Thomas is solid at left tackle, and sophomore Ja’Wuan James really came on strong in his first year and is one of the top linemen in the SEC. James Stone also returns at center. The surprise of the group was true freshman Marcus Jackson, who held down the left guard spot for most of the spring.

6. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs must replace All-American left tackle Derek Sherrod, but most of the line is somewhat on point. Center Quentin Saulsberry will anchor the line and is versatile enough to play just about every position on the line. Left guard Gabe Jackson and right tackle Addison Lawrence return and the Bulldogs will have junior Tobias Smith lining up at right guard. Blaine Clausell and James Carmon, who moved from defensive tackle, will compete at left tackle.

7. Georgia: This was supposed to be one of the strongest offensive line units in the league, but the Bulldogs lost tackle Trinton Sturdivant to a season-ending knee injury this spring and fellow tackle A.J. Harmon transferred. Georgia’s most-reliable options are Cordy Glenn, who moved from guard to left tackle and Ben Jones at center. Kenarious Gates is at left guard, but he’s athletic enough to play tackle if needed. Former defensive lineman Justin Anderson will start off at right tackle. Right guard is the next area of business and the depth all around is a problem.

8. South Carolina: The Gamecocks have questions here, but there is talent across the line. Rokevious Watkins is one of the most talented guards in the league and he’ll be assisted by returning starter at center T.J. Johnson. Senior Kyle Nunn has made strides at left tackle and redshirt freshman A.J. Cann took over duties at left guard this spring. Still, the younger linemen will be counted on to contribute this fall.

9. Arkansas: The Razorbacks must replace three starters on the offensive line. Center Travis Swanson and left guard Alvin Bailey are the only returning starters. Just a sophomore, Bailey impressed his coaches last season and will be one of the top linemen in the league this fall. After that, the Hogs will have to turn to youth for help. True freshman Brey Cook could be thrust into the starting role at right tackle, while sophomore Anthony Oden could get the job at left tackle.

10. Florida: Florida’s offensive line struggled throughout the 2010 season -- and that was with a senior-laden group. This fall, the Gators will start over with a ton of inexperience. Right guard Jon Halapio and right tackle Xavier Nixon are the only returning starters. Halapio struggled at times last season and Nixon battled injuries. Florida’s line spent most of the spring in the infirmary, so little is known about the overall talent. Freshman Chaz Green left spring as the starter at left tackle, Jonotthan Harrison will battle former Notre Dame lineman Dan Wenger at center. He transferred in after spring, but has health concerns.

11. Auburn: The Tigers will go from having one of the top offensive line groups in the country to having a major work in progress in 2011. Senior Brandon Mosley is the lone returning starter, and while he was solid on Auburn’s line last season, he came from junior college as a defensive end/tight end. The good news is that tackle A.J. Greene should be fine this fall after sustaining a season-ending leg injury last year. The rest of Auburn’s linemen are very young and inexperienced. Don’t expect many redshirts from this group.

12. Vanderbilt: The Commodores might return all five starters, but this unit had trouble keeping things together last year. The offense needs this group to improve mightily. Wesley Johnson is Vanderbilt’s best option, despite only being a sophomore at left tackle. There will be size on the right side, with 300-plus pounders Kyle Fischer and Ryan Seymour over there. Simply put, this unit has the experience, but it requires a lot of improvement.

Today, we take a look at what should be the strongest and weakest positions for Tennessee entering the 2010 season:

Strongest position: Receiver/tight end

Key returnees: Gerald Jones, Denarius Moore, Marsalis Teague, Luke Stocker

Key departures: Quintin Hancock

The skinny: The Vols’ top three pass-catchers from a year ago are all back, and that includes Stocker, one of the better receiving tight ends in the league. Stocker thought about turning pro, but elected to return for his senior season. Moore led the Vols with seven touchdown catches. The threesome of Jones, Moore and Stocker combined for 16 touchdown receptions last season and will form the nucleus of Tennessee’s passing game in 2010, although they will have to get used to a new quarterback. Moore has terrific speed and gives the Vols a legitimate deep threat. Jones is versatile enough to move around and play different spots. One of the Vols’ highest-rated signees, Da’Rick Rogers, will be difficult to keep off the field.

Weakest position: Offensive line

Key returnees: Jarrod Shaw, Dallas Thomas

Key departures: Chris Scott, Aaron Douglas, Jacques McClendon, Cody Sullins, Cory Sullins, Vlad Richard

The skinny: An already challenging situation for the Vols up front got a lot worse when Douglas went into first-year coach Derek Dooley’s office last week and asked for a release. Douglas, who had moved from tight end to right tackle the year before, was going to be the anchor of the line. But with him gone, the Vols essentially will be starting over. Shaw started three games last season at guard, all during the first part of the season. He’s the only player with any meaningful experience returning. Redshirt freshman JerQuari Schofield at guard and true freshman Ja’Wuan James at tackle are both working with the first unit right now. Sophomore Dallas Thomas is the likely left tackle. As inexperienced as the Vols will be up front, depth will be an even bigger problem. They can’t afford to get anybody hurt.