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KNOXVILLE -- Defensive tackles Demonté Bolden, Dan Williams and Walter Fisher stood out in Tennessee's second preseason scrimmage, and true freshman Willie Bohannon made a push for playing time at defensive end. The rest of the defense has some work to do.

The Volunteers opened the final week of fall camp Monday morning with an emphasis on correcting the problems behind the numerous missed tackles that marred an otherwise-promising scrimmage Saturday night at Neyland Stadium.

Coach Phillip Fulmer said the linebackers and defensive backs "had too many opportunities that we missed." Defensive coordinator John Chavis agreed, but with a hint of optimism.

"Most of the situations where we missed tackles can be corrected," Chavis said. "It wasn't because we were out-athleted at any position at all. It's a matter of us being more technical."

Junior linebacker Rico McCoy said he had "a pretty bad scrimmage," blaming himself for missing multiple tackles. He apparently wasn't alone.

"It's frustrating, but it's a process we have to go through," sophomore safety Eric Berry said. "We're not going to be perfect. We're just going to go in the lab and get it fixed."

Elsewhere on defense, Fulmer praised Bolden, Williams and Fisher for having "the best scrimmage that they've had" and said sophomore defensive tackle Victor Thomas "took a big step" in his efforts to provide depth at a position of need.

Bohannon also "has pushed himself into that fifth spot" in the defensive-end rotation, Fulmer said.

MORE MOVES: Sophomore offensive tackle Ramone Johnson became the latest name mentioned by Fulmer as an option at tight end, where projected starter Jeff Cottam has been slow to heal from a broken leg and former Alcoa High standout Brandon Warren is awaiting a ruling on his eligibility. Fulmer said Johnson "is playing like one of the guys who could be a starter" on the offensive line, but "with our tight-end situation the way it is, we will play him some at tight end also."

Junior Wes Brown, a starting defensive end, also received consideration last week for a trial run at tight end. True freshman Austin Johnson played there briefly but now will work mostly at fullback and H-back, Fulmer said.

ON THE G-RUN: The Vols added another potential weapon to their offensive arsenal by moving sophomore wide receiver Gerald Jones to tailback for a play during Monday's 2-hour practice at Haslam Field.

Jones, who took snaps at quarterback last year in the so-called "G-Gun" package, said he was given the option to run or pass on the play.

"I was going to throw it, but there was coverage, so I just ran it," Jones said. "Hopefully, come UCLA, if I get a chance to throw it, I'll complete it."

WALKER OUT: Sophomore defensive end Chris Walker, who reaggravated a pulled groin in Saturday's scrimmage, missed practice but is expected to return before game-week preparations begin Monday.

"If we had to, we could push him in," Chavis said. "But that's not a smart thing to do. Let him rest it. Let him get it well. We're not playing tomorrow. If we were playing tomorrow, he could wrap it up and go."

QB COMPETITION: Nothing has been decided, Fulmer said, in the head-to-head battle for the No. 2 quarterback position between sophomore Nick Stephens and redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman.

"It's an ongoing competition right now," Fulmer said.

EXTRA POINTS: Fulmer said the Vols haven't received word on the academic eligibility of sophomore linebacker Gerald Williams, who needed to pass a summer-school class that ended Thursday. ... True freshman tight end Aaron Douglas, a former Maryville High standout who underwent offseason shoulder surgery, should be cleared for full contact in time for the final preseason scrimmage on Thursday, Fulmer said.