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KNOXVILLE -- The University of Tennessee football coaching staff only requires that seniors participate once in the Tennessee Drill, a one-on-one battle for position between an offensive and defensive player.

But once was not enough for Demonte Bolden, who has heard person after person critique the depth at the defensive tackle position.

So after a marginal performance against Vladimir Richard on Wednesday in the team's first day in full pads this fall, Bolden quickly jumped at another opportunity -- this time against Jacques McClendon, who happens to be the team's strongest offensive lineman.

"I decided I needed a second go-around, so I went against Jacques and made it happen," Bolden said. "It's all-out go. You get to hit your own teammates to get better. That's what it's all about."

And it's that kind of mentality Tennessee coaches are looking for in order to find the handful of tackles needed to compete in the Southeastern Conference.

Dan Williams, the other established veteran, knows of the dire straits at the position and feels the unit has made impressive strides so far.

"You could tell we got a lot better with our hands this year," Williams said. "Other times in the Tennessee Drill, we were just trying to fire off. This year we have been working with our hands, and it is showing early. We got our hands inside, and it helped us out."

FIXED UP: Three months after arthroscopic knee surgery, sophomore defensive end Chris Walker is showing no ill effects from the injury that kept him out of spring practice. He now sets his sights on living up to the accolades he garnered prior to his arrival in Knoxville.

"I just want to be able to help the team out any way I can," Walker said. "Last year, I did my part playing special teams. That was good enough to help my team as a freshman, and not many freshmen get to do that. I decided this year I was going to help more by getting myself in position to play a lot."

NO WORRIES: Speculation swirled during the early portion of Wednesday's practice when former Alcoa tight end Brandon Warren participated without pads and left the field with substantial time remaining in the workout.

But those worries were put to rest when Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer explained that Warren attended a class and was excused from a large portion of practice.

Both Warren and UT still await the results of the tight end's appeals to the NCAA and the SEC that will determine his eligibility for the 2008 season.

SWITCHING SIDES: Freshman Rodriquez Wilks was the newest Vol to encounter a position change during fall camp. Wilks, a former receiver from Smyrna, worked at safety during the team's first practice in full pads.

WHAT UP DOC: Offensive lineman Cody Pope did not practice with the team again on Wednesday. Fulmer said the California native got sick earlier in the week and remains under doctor's care.

Fulmer also indicated that defensive tackle Chase Nelson could miss some time with a sprained knee. Linebacker Savion Frazier suffered a sprained ankle Wednesday, and Fulmer said he hopes the sophomore can "be back in a few days."

PEACE OUT: Former minor-league baseball player turned defensive back Vince Faison has decided to end his playing career due to problems with high blood pressure, Fulmer said, and plans to stay with the team as a student coach.

Faison, 27, enrolled at UT in January. The Lyons, Ga., native was a 2000 first-round draft pick of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. He also played in minor-league organizations for Seattle, the New York Yankees and Oakland.