Tough schedule start makes preseason practice better for UT football squad

The beginning of the season isn’t to be taken lightly, what with a trip to California and home stands against Southern Miss and the national champion Florida Gators.

‘I think it makes the summer better because they know they have to start from the get go being as good as they can possibly be and ready to play,’ Fulmer said Saturday at this year’s media day.

But junior linebacker Jerod Mayo insists that it’s not the Vols’ opponents that motivate.

‘We go into each and every camp focusing on Tennessee,’ he said. ‘We’re not really focusing on California or Florida, Southern Miss or any of those guys right now. We’re focusing on getting Tennessee better. If we get Tennessee better, then we’ll have a great season.’

Whatever the motivation, Fulmer said he was encouraged heading into the team’s first preseason practice Friday.

He said players have been focused throughout the offseason getting stronger and showing a dedicated work ethic.

They’ve also shown improvement in an off-field stat _ no arrests from the current squad, though walk-on Justin Jackson was dismissed in June after being arrested on felony charges of possessing and selling crack cocaine.

In 2005, eight Tennessee players were either arrested or cited for crimes ranging from assault to underage drinking. In 2006, seven Tennessee players were arrested on a similar range of charges, but one of them was acquitted at a trial on charges of threatening another driver by waving a toy gun.

‘We’ve talked about total commitment all the way back since January, and that’s exactly what we’re sticking with,’ Fulmer said. ‘I think our guys have responded to that for the most part.’