Beginning with the opening kickoff between Tulsa and Louisiana-Monroe this Thursday there will be monumental changes for special teams units throughout college football. An NCAA rule change this offseason will push kickoffs back to 30-yard line which should greatly shift field position in favor of offenses. With these changes and the loss of James Wilhoit, a four year starter at place-kicker, the Vols special teams unit has many questions to answer in 2007.

PUNTING:  Preseason Playboy all-American punter, Britton Colquitt, will handle the punting for the Vols during the 2007 season. Britton followed in the footsteps of brother Dustin to become the fourth member of the Colquitt family to be a punter at Tennessee. In 2006 he averaged 44.9 yards a punt, which was fourth best for a Volunteer punter all-time. With 18 of 46 punts inside the 20 yard line he established a name for himself not only in the SEC but also around the NCAA.

KICKING: According to coach Phil Fulmer, Colquitt will also handle long-range field goals and kickoffs to begin the season. There is a great amount of controversy as to whether he will be able to maintain the high level of punting he has exhibited throughout his career while also taking on extra duties. Fulmer, however, was quick to point out the successes of other players doing the same including South Carolina's Ryan Succop. Barring a change in the days leading up to the season Colquitt will become the first player to handle both placekicking and punting duties for the Vols since at least the 1960's.

Look for redshirt freshman Daniel Lincoln to handle some of the placekicking from close range. In the preseason, Lincoln struggled with consistency but appears to have worked through problems that had existed with his form.

KICK/PUNT RETURNS: The Volunteers have numerous options in the return game. Jonathan Hefney was a Randy Moss Return Man Award Semi-finalist as well as a 2^nd team Rivals All-American a season ago, but look for a number of players to get an opportunity in the return game. Junior college transfer Kenny O'neal handled kick returns as a freshman at Florida State and could get a chance to do the same for the Vols.  Also look for Dennis Rogan, Eric Berry and several others to get the chance to make an impact in the return game.