Nick Stephens leaves Tennessee

It looks like the choice for starting quarterback just got a little easier. Fifth year quarterback Nick Stephens quit the team with a little over a week left in spring practice.

Stephens was frustrated with his loss of first team snaps during the course of spring practice. In his first scrimmage he did not perform very well (none of the quarterbacks really did) and Derek Dooley took away some of his snaps with the first team. It looks like he will probably go somewhere he can land a sure starting position, most likely in his home state of Texas.

His departure leaves junior college transfer Matt Simms as the leading candidate to succeed Jonathan Crompton as UT's starting quarterback. He will compete with freshman Tyler Bray, who, like Simms, was given more practice reps with the first team Tuesday, after the coaches evaluated last Saturday's scrimmage.

Stephens is the third prominent member of the Vols to leave this spring. Sophomore running back Bryce Brown left but his status is still up in the air, and sophomore Aaron Douglas, the only returning starter in the offensive line, quit the team for personal reasons.

Coach Derek Dooley remains optimistic about the team, but it has been really tough looking how the team will perform this fall. I have confidence in Bray and Simms, but they have not experienced the SEC wars. Losing Douglas is still the big one since he was the only starter left on the offensive line. No matter how great your quarterback is, if the defensive is in the backfield by the time he drops back to pass, he won't get it off.

I still remain confident in coach Dooley and his ability to rebuild the Vols, but it might take a few seasons to get the wins back up to where fans on Rocky Top want them. No matter how bad the situation gets, do not give up on the Vols!

Tennessee RB Bryce Brown Leaves Team

With all the attention rightfully being paid to the Vols and Lady Vols in March Madness, many did not notice that spring practice got underway for the football Volunteers. What was supposed to be a celebration of Derek Dooley's first day as head coach, it was overshadowed by the departure of heralded Vol running back Bryce Brown.

Dooley said Brown told him Thursday that he was dealing with family and personal problems that included "some of the reasons why he came here." Brown was not present for practice.

Brown was one of the top-rated running back prospects in the country last year when he signed with the Vols under then-coach Lane Kiffin. Brown arrived with huge expectations and played behind Montario Hardesty as a freshman. He showed flashes, but also battled injuries. Dooley has stated that Brown has not been kicked off the team so the door is still open for him to return. However I do not think he is coming back.

I am really not that surprised by Brown's departure. He was the cheery on top of Kiffin's class last year so of course some controversy surrounded him. Sure I thought he could be a great back and at times showed that he could not only be a solid runner, but had soft hands and could catch the ball coming out of the backfield.

The good news is, Tennessee still has a nice stable of running backs to fill the void. Junior Tauren Poole is the leading candidate going into the spring, but sophomore David Oku and redshirt freshman Toney Williams will also be part of the Vols' running back equation.

Still a long time till Labor Day weekend, but it is good to be talking some football again.