It was a trying offseason for the Vols in their recruiting process. Following a difficult loss to Kentucky and an overhaul to the coaching staff, Tennessee just had to "get to signing day," according to Derek Dooley.

Even with the difficulties Tennessee was able to bring in a consensus top-25 recruiting class for the 2012 season.

A major concern for the Volunteers, who had the first back-to-back losing seasons in over a century, was the defensive backfield. The Vols gave up 177.85 yards a game through the air and only recorded five interceptions from the secondary all season.

"We can't have an injury and the whole season go south," Dooley said. "You lose one guy here and one guy there and your whole season's done. You lose one guy in the back end and you can't cover anybody."

After losing Janzen Jackson weeks before the season the Vols struggled for the entire 2011 campaign to fill the void he left in the secondary. Brent Brewer played well in his freshman season but was lost for the last four weeks of the year due to injury.

Prentiss Waggner was the only defensive back to start every game for Tennessee and he is entering his final season for the Vols.

But, the Vols will need more consistent play from defensive backs like Brewer and Brian Randolph.

To help with depth and try to add some skill on the defensive end the Vols brought in four recruits. Deion Bonner, Daniel Gray and LaDarrell McNeil all signed with the Vols Wednesday and Tino Thomas was an early enrollee for the Volunteers.

Tennessee also signed an athlete in Knoxville native Cody Blanc who is expected to start off his career as a Vol in the secondary.

"We got some really, what I hope to be, impact players in the back end to help us from a speed, tackling and covering ability," Dooley said.

Bonner and McNeil are both four-star recruits for the Vols. Bonner had nine interceptions and four forced fumbles as a senior in Columbus, Ga. and was First Team All-State his junior and senior season, but Bonner is a questionable recruit for Tennessee. 

Bonner was accused for stealing from a the University of Georgia locker room along with two fellow teammates. His stock went down following the incident but Tennessee kept in contact with Bonner.

"We did a lot of diligence of the situation. Deion was incredibly truthful, incredibly remorseful and I don't know of a high school who had to pay the piper for more than they did than he (Deion) did," Dooley said. We some got some really, what I hope to be, impact players in the back end to help us from a speed, tackling and covering ability. - said Derek Dooley about his defensive back recruits"I believe he can come in and represent Tennessee in the right way, learn from his mistakes and be a great example."

McNeil, the only safety coming in, was ranked the No. 6 overall safety by 247Sports and No. 7 overall safety by Rivals. He also participated in this year's U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Gray, a three-star recruit, has only two years of football experience, but runs a 4.32 40-yard dash which gives the Vols much needed speed in the secondary and in the return game.

"We only had one returner last year," Dooley said. "You forget about that and he got hit around a little bit. You need lots of guys at a lot of positions."

Thomas is the lone early enrollee that plays defensive back. He is from Memphis, Tenn. and was being recruited as both a defensive back and wide receiver. But, Thomas comes to Knoxville expected to play on the defensive side of the ball. By being an early enrollee, Thomas will be able to participate in spring practice this season.

It is still yet to be seen what each of these players impact will be on the team for the upcoming season but the depth can only help the Vols, and Dooley is pleased with his defensive backs and the class as a whole.

"This is the best I've felt as to the future of this program as I have in 24 months on the job," he said.