Vol head man Phillip Fulmer said today (Tuesday) that he expects to use running back Gerald Riggs, Jr., offensive linemen Cody Douglas and Rob Smith, receivers Jonathan Wade and Chris Hannon, tight end Aaron Kirkland, defensive ends Jonathan Mapu and Jason Wade, plus linebackers Omar Gaither and Parys Haralson.
Defensive line coach Dan Brooks said in a separate interview with Rocky Top News that freshman Greg Jones could be part of the defensive tackle rotation, as well.
Fulmer said freshman punter/placekicker James Wilhoit is ''right in the mix'' but indicated that senior Alex Walls (placements and kickoffs) and sophomore Dustin Colquitt (punts) will handle the kicking chores in the opener, retaining the jobs they had last fall. The head man added that Georgia Tech transfer Phillip Newman is the No. 2 kickoff man at present because ''I would not waste a year of Wilhoit's (eligibility) just to get a kickoff here or there.''
Fulmer added that Wilhoit ''really pushed Colquitt the last week or so. But Colquitt will be our punter. He's responded to the challenge really well. If he can be that consistent, there's no reason to change this year if we don't have to.''
Still, the head man said Wilhoit will suit up for all of UT's games, home and away, and serve as a Plan B in the kicking game ''if the need arises or if he passes somebody else.''