The cameras follow the football on each play, but the watchful eye of Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer is often focused on the offensive line.
So it is that incoming linemen Brandon Jefferies, Rob Smith and Cody Douglas have been as scrutinized as much as any of the other players over the past two days of freshman practice.
"You can see some things from the way they do in the drills," said Fulmer, a former UT offensive lineman himself. "You notice the footwork and athleticism."
But that's just the beginning at Tennessee, where strong line play has become as much of a tradition as checkerboard end zones and the playing of Rocky Top.
Fulmer said he won't have an accurate gauge of how this talented trio of incoming linemen stack up until next week, when the Vols put on full pads.
"How the heck do you know when they're just walking through drills and hitting dummies?" Fulmer said. "It's a physical game, and they've got to win more than their share of the battles in the trenches.
"A lot of guys want to be pushers and dancers; you need a road grader out there, somebody that's going to move people."
Fulmer reeled off the names of former UT linemen like Cosey Coleman, Harry Galbreath and Raleigh McKenzie when asked for examples. He also said current Vols Will Ofenheusle, Michael Munoz and Scott Wells are carrying on the tradition of physical play.
Fulmer said Smith (6-foot-5, 308 pounds) Jefferies (6-5, 275) and Douglas (6-6, 320) have an opportunity to earn immediate playing time.
"The best players are going to play, whether they're seniors or freshmen,"
Fulmer said. "The second team positions, and even in a couple of cases the first team positions, are up for grabs."
Over the past few years, a difficult schedule has limited the amount of playing time for UT reserves.
But with cupcakes like Wyoming, Middle Tennessee State and Rutgers on the schedule in September, the Vols should have opportunities for mass substitutions in the second half of games.
That's particularly true now that margin of victory has been eliminated from the BCS computers.
Fulmer said he thinks "one or two" of the three incoming offensive linemen could play this season, which indicates that one or two might redshirt.
Smith is the most polished from a technique standpoint, while Douglas has the most power and Jefferies is the most athletic.
"Playing the offensive line is not an easy thing, but once you've got it, it's a pretty good system," Fulmer said. "They're all three bright kids, so I expect they'll be all right with that."
SCOTTY'S TIPS: One of the recruiting heroes behind the scenes is Scott Altizer, UT's director of high school relations.
One of Altizer's roles is to evaluate talent, so it was interesting to hear his thoughts on a couple of upcoming players.
"People had better not overlook (Derrick) Tinsley," Altizer said. "The freshmen all look great, but keep an eye on (Jonathan) Mapu, and look at how low he plays coming off the line."
ORANGE SHIRTS: Fulmer said he doesn't anticipate receivers Jonathan Wade or Chris Hannon to redshirt this season.
"My feeling right now is that both of them will play this year," he said. "I came in on a Sunday afternoon this summer and they were running routes against each other. They've worked hard."
TURN IT UP: Fulmer said Wednesday's workouts were more intense than Tuesday's.
"We turned up the heat as far as what the coaches expected, and they responded," Fulmer said. "I really like the attitude I've seen here."
HAM OUT: Justin "Ham" Harrell is the only incoming freshman sidelined. The 6-5, 300-pound defensive tackle from Martin, had surgery on June 21 to repair a stress fracture in his leg. He reported to UT in July to begin rehabilitation.
"You're looking at three weeks rehab, maybe four and then see where he is," Fulmer said. "His atrophy was terrible when he got here. If he wouldn't have had that time here, he would have missed this year."
