[Poli]

OK, guys, here is what I'll be doing:

Historical backdrop:

For years the Tennessee Volunteers have been very successful. In fact, over the past four years, they've gone undefeated in the regular season, but have never won a national championship.

This success has naturally led to great recruiting, year in and out. Top 100 and Top 10 players throughout the nation want to play for Tennessee Head Coach Phil Fulmer. It's not uncommon for the Vols to have 4 or 5 players of the top 10 in their recruiting class.

Unfortunately, the 2006 offseason leaves the Vols in a very awkward condition.

Tennessee normally carries four scholarship quarterbacks in a season, generally recruiting one of the best in the nation each year. During the 2006 season, however, a quarterback wasn't recruited as all four quarterbacks on the team were due to return.

It's sad it didn't work out that way.

Quarterback Colin Coleman decided to take his chance on the NFL draft, and we can only wish him well. Coach Fulmer may wish something else for him, however.

Frank Beyer decided during the off season it might be a good idea to steal from the book store. Unfortunately, it will cost him a year, as the Syndicate has suspended him for his action.

Malcolm Rivers decided to transfer, since he was going to be the third string quarterback this year; his decision was made, unfortunately, before Coleman or Beyer made their own decisions.

Fourth stringer, redshirt freshman, Chris Brewer was ready to step into the action and claim the starting role, but tore his ACL in spring camp. Coach Fulmer may have been a little rough on the young man.

That leaves us with young Ardent.

Ardent came to UT without hope of playing. He never once thought he'd take a snap at Neyland Stadium...the most he hoped for was to run through the "T" at the beginning of a game.

Ardent, a fifth string walk on senior from Bonne Terre, MO, has emerged as the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers this season.

This is his story.