Hey everyone below is the debut article from Vol Watch's newest writer, Stephen Kasper, here he profiles the draft prospects of several Vols in the upcoming NFL draft. He also mentions Montario Hardesty's incredible spin move which can be seen here:

If you’re a fan of more than just the Vols football team and you want to see where our beloved Vols alumni end up in the NFL, this is just the subject for you.

Montario Hardesty, Dan Williams, and Eric Berry are the best Volunteers in the draft this year. With the draft only a few weeks away, what uniform are we likely to see these guys put on after it’s all said and done? Well, the draft is as unpredictable as Armageddon, but I like to think I have a decent guess.

I’ll start with Montario Hardesty. Here’s a guy who I thought should have started his entire college career, even over Arian Foster. He’s got decent speed and the ability not only to break tackles but to evade them. Remember his sick spin move?

So, what are some possibilities for Hardesty in the draft? Well, the NFL free agency isn’t over just yet and with a few big name running backs still available it’s hard to tell. However, my pick has got to be San Diego. The Chargers cut LaDainian Tomlinson leaving their primary back to be the 5’6” speedy Darren Sproles. While I do love Sproles, especially at his other job (punt and kick returner), I am not convinced he can handle the workload of a full time running back.

Don’t get me wrong, Sproles is very good and when he does find a hole he gets through it fast and explosive. San Diego is very confident is Sproles or they wouldn’t have cut an amazing running back in LT. With that confidence they have in Sproles, I don’t see the Chargers making a running back their first priority in the draft. But I still firmly believe they want more depth at the position, and that’s exactly what Hardesty gives to any team. The Chargers have a late pick in each round so I could see them picking up Hardesty with their 3rd round pick. If the Chargers don’t get him, look for Hardesty to go a few picks earlier to the Eagles who released Brian Westbrook, or if he drops a few picks to the Redskins with new running back-crazy head coach Mike Shanahan.

Our next former Vol on the list is Dan Williams. In college we loved his ability to clog the middle and stop the run. That’s what Tennessee has always been known for and he lived up to that responsibility.

The Minnesota Vikings have the one of the best pass rushes in the NFL with Jared Allen and Ray Edwards, but they need some more force in the middle and that’s exactly what Dan Williams would give them from day 1. Their main man in the middle right now, Pat Williams, is soon to retire if not this year, in the near future. With defensive linemen like Gerald McCoy and Ndamukong Suh in the draft, Williams won’t be drafted until they are gone. Lucky for him that’s going to be pretty quick and I see the Vikings picking up Williams at pick 30 in the 1st round.

If the Vikings don’t pick up Williams, look for Rex Ryan and his defense-happy Jets to snatch him up right before the Vikings. If he ends up dropping to the second round and the Buccaneers can’t get Suh or McCoy in the first round with their 3rd overall pick, Williams would be a likely pickup and consolation prize early in the second round for Tampa.

Speaking of Tampa Bay, with the 3rd overall pick in the draft, Eric Berry is next on the list! Ask me and I will tell you I hate thinking of Berry in Tampa Bay. For some reason I just don’t like it, but it’s my honest pick. And I can’t blame the Bucs. They need help at the DB position and Berry will come in as a rookie and give any team an immediate boost not only in the secondary, but on the entire defense. It’s well known that the Bucs would like to have Suh or McCoy, and if either are somehow still available after the first 2 picks, The Bucs will go with them and what I predicted with Dan Williams becomes more possible.

If this does actually happen, and the Bucs don’t get Berry for Suh or McCoy, it won’t be long before Berry is picked up. Predicting where he might end up is extremely difficult. Just about every team in the top 10 could use the help in the secondary. After Tampa Bay in the draft there is Washington, Kansas City, Seattle, Cleveland, Oakland, and Buffalo. Other than Washington, who I am fairly certain will draft a QB with their first pick, any of those teams are possibilities for Berry. But I definitely don’t see him dropping out of the top 10. The draft is unpredictable, but one thing is certain about Eric Berry’s future. He will completely change how other teams play him and his future team.

A few other Vols to be on the watch for in the draft include John Crompton QB, Rico McCoy LB, Chris Scott OT, and Dennis Rogan CB.

Derek Dooley spoke at length with the Knoxville Tip Off club a couple days ago very interesting press conference and his first public appearance since national signing day. (If the video doesn't work try a browser other than Internet Explorer.)

Well the Lane Train is gone to what is according to him the number one job in America. Some of us would disagree. This is simply a devastating blow to the program. Now many rumors are running around Knoxville as to who his possible replacement will be. Texas D-Coordinator, Will Muschamp and Air Force Head Coach, Troy Calhoun have pulled themselves out of consideration according to the Dallas Morning Star and the Denver Post. ESPN's Joe Schad has said he expects Duke's head coach and former Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe will be one of Athletic Director Mike Hamilton's candidates. There also rumors that some UT trustees are attempting to go behind Mike Hamilton’s back and hire back Phil Fulmer as either coach or AD. Its possibly well known booster “Thunder” Thornton who has never seen quite eye to eye with Mike Hamilton as portrayed by Clay Travis book “On Rocky Top”. Lots more to come as well as some of my eye witness reactions on campus to the aftermath of Kiffin's leaving.

Also, the title is a Swiperboy reference it means shaking my head he says it in a lot of his posts on Twitter.

On the other hand Tennessee teams always respond well to adversity like these guys.

Lane Kiffin is seven games into his inaugural season at The University of Tennessee and despite a 3-4 record, optimism and confidence surrounding the program is at an all time high. Mostly due to success in recruiting and fielding, a team that is much more competitive than last years. Tennessee arguably should be 5-2 with wins over UCLA and Alabama.

However, the would of, should of, could of talk has to end this week. Tennessee faces a fierce pace rushing South Carolina team, led by old UT nemesis Steve Spurrier, on Halloween. If UT can pull out the victory at home an 8-4 record and a possible Chick-Fil-A bowl bid becomes very practical. Montario Hardesty will once again, be called on to carry the load. The run game needs to neutralize SEC sack leader Eric Norwood who will be a huge mismatch for UT’s redshirt freshmen tackle Aaron Douglas.

Prediction: South Carolina’s defense will keep the game close up until halftime but Monte Kiffin’s unit will continue their dominating play as well. Jon Crompton continues his renaissance play that started in the 4th quarter against Auburn. Montario Hardesty goes for 100 yards and a touchdown. The Vols break it open in the 4th quarter for a final of 31-10 UT.

Watch #14 pull an Animal House at the end.

Fall practice started yesterday finally giving Coach Kiffin and his staff a chance to start working with the 2009 edition of the Tennessee Vols. The early storyline has to be injuries, especially at wide out. Austin Rodgers is out for the season due to a torn ACL and UT's best deep threat from last year Denarious Moore will sit out until late September from a foot injury. Gerald Jones is also still wearing a cast from off season wrist surgery. However, Jones is embracing a leadership role and practicing despite the cast on his hand. At UT's thinnest position, defensive line expected starter, Wes brown, is continuing to battle knee problems and sat out practice yesterday.

Despite the injury problems, there were several bright spots, including the play of true freshmen Marsalious Teague, David Oku, and Bryce Brown.

Follow the link for a video of yesterday’s practice: http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080409aag.html

Eric Berry also made predictions for the season on ESPN

Breaking News BJ Coleman is leaving the program read more here: http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/apr/23/coleman-leaving-vols/

Here is an inside look at spring practice:


In the next few days I will post my thoughts on spring practice, the QB situation, and start previewing the 2009 season.