Vols' Scott, Williams display improvement

KNOXVILLE -- One of Tennessee's talented offensive enigmas has evolved into one of the Volunteers' most consistent players this preseason camp, and a defensive counterpart recently has showed similar signs.

Coach Lane Kiffin said Tuesday evening that left offensive tackle Chris Scott has probably been the team's "most improved" player since spring practice and that junior defensive end Gerald Williams has been "unblockable" most of this week.

Scott, despite starting 26 times in his 33-game career, hasn't lived up to the immense billing he received as a high school star in the Atlanta area. His run-blocking has been steady, but the Kiffin and Phillip Fulmer coaching staffs have often considered his weight a pass-blocking hindrance.

The 6-foot-5 Scott's weight has fluctuated between 370 and 310 pounds, but he currently looks trimmer than his listed 346.

"We were sitting in our meetings going over personnel, and the guy that continues to play well every single day, probably the most improved from spring, is Chris Scott," Kiffin said. "So we're very excited about what he's doing and the way he's playing."

The Vols could use a big season from the big man who rarely accepts interview requests.

"He loves football, and he knows the game, and he's very smart about what he does, but he's just quiet," offensive line coach James Cregg said of Scott. "You've got to figure it out at first, but it's not a bad thing. You've just got to know how to communicate with him. He will communicate with you.

"If there's a problem, and he needs something fixed, he will communicate it with you. And if there's something he needs to do better, I'll communicate with him and he'll fix it. He takes coaching and has done a really outstanding job so far."

Cregg said Scott occasionally slips out of character and smiles on the practice field.

"And when he does, it's contagious to the team," Cregg added. "He rarely does it. He usually keeps to himself, but when he smiles, guys get in the groove and have fun with him.

"And when he speaks, people really listen, because he's not a vocal guy."

Williams is probably one of the team's best pound-for-pound athletes, but the heralded recruit has struggled to produce consistently at linebacker or defensive end. He started preseason camp as a third-team end -- behind redshirt freshman Willie Bohannon -- but has made several plays with the starters this week.

"He's played extremely well and continues to make plays," Kiffin said. "He was our starting left end today in practice. We moved him ahead of the other two guys, and he responded and had a great day.

"We finally had to crack him over there, because we couldn't block him."

Williams said his "'tweener" 245-pound frame hasn't been a problem in coordinator Monte Kiffin's defense, and settling into one position with a specific goal has boosted his confidence.

"I've been in the film room a lot, and I'm getting a real feel for it," Williams said. "It's coming along real good. ... It's definitely nice to focus just on defensive end and not have to worry about anything else."

Lane Kiffin said Williams is still a better pass-rusher than run-stopper at his size, but the player hopes to prove versatile enough to earn an every-down role.

"We had a great offseason program and hit it hard this summer, and my strength is getting really good," Williams said. "You can always get better every day, but I really feel like I'm getting there."

Clearinghouse concerns

Lane Kiffin said the NCAA Clearinghouse forced freshman cornerback Eric Gordon off the field before Tuesday's practice. Kiffin didn't add specifics, but several in the program were optimistic that the situation wasn't permanent.

Gordon, a highly recruited player from Nashville and younger brother of former Mississippi State basketball guard Jamont Gordon, gave no indications Sunday that he was facing any academic questions.

"Everything's going great, man," Gordon said. "I'm working hard, but I'm loving it here. Coaches, teammates ... everybody around here has been great."

Cornerback Mike Edwards from Ohio is practicing and believed to be cleared, but administrators are awaiting word on defensive tackle Marlon Walls, who hasn't arrived in Knoxville.