Montario Hardesty, RB

Possessing obvious talent but a troubling inability to remain healthy, Hardesty entered his senior campaign with only six starts in 36 career games and having never carried the ball more than 107 times in a season. He needed a healthy, breakout senior campaign to emerge as a legitimate NFL prospect. A breakout campaign is exactly what he produced.

Quickly impressing Lane Kiffin and his staff with his work ethic and toughness, Hardesty emerged as the starter over highly touted freshmen Bryce Brown. Averaging 21 carries per game, Hardesty rushed for 1,345 yards, the fourth highest total in Tennessee's history and only 119 yards short of Travis Stephens' record.

NFL teams will proceed cautiously with Hardesty. He has already undergone three knee surgeries, so his medical report will be as closely scrutinized as any prospect this year. When healthy, Hardesty has proven to be a legitimate workhorse with rare agility for a back his size. He leaves Tennessee with 560 career carries, the second highest total in school history.

Inside: Classic one-cut runner who presses the line of scrimmage and attacks the hole when it is there. Runs a bit upright, but lowers his pad level when in traffic and keeps his feet churning to generate as much positive yardage as possible. Good forward lean. Good vision and has the burst to take advantage of cutback lanes.

Outside: Lacks elite straight-line speed, but can beat the linebacker to the edge and turn the corner. Can stick his foot in the ground and accelerate quickly to get past the initial wave of defenders and get into the open field. Not a naturally elusive runner, but has deceptive speed due to his upright running style and good power.

Breaking tackles: Among his best attributes. Good balance to keep his feet and fight through arm tackles. Very good spin move. Keeps his feet churning in traffic and can sneak through the pile and break away to gain yardage in chunks.

Blocking: Willing pass blocker with the size, strength and technique to face up the oncoming defender. Cognizant blocker who keeps his head on a swivel and looks for someone to hit. Inconsistent effectiveness as a cut blocker as he drops his head and lunges. Good effort downfield. Looks to help out his teammates.

Receiving: Good receiver used on a variety of routes in this offense, including the basic screens and dump-offs, but also more complicated wheels and was even split out wide and used on slants. Reliable hands. Shows the ability to extend, make the reception and secure the ball quickly. Good ball security. Didn't fumble the ball once in 285 touches in 2009.

Intangibles: Characterized as the consummate teammate. Twice voted team captain, including in 2008 when he wasn't a starter. Convinced team to let him play special teams against Wyoming despite his injuries being too much to allow him to suit up as a running back. Surprised and disappointed scouts with his decision to pull out late from the Senior Bowl, but impressed them with his sub-4.5 speed and athleticism at the Combine.

Hardesty, a native of New Bern, N.C., ranked third in the league in rushing at 108.8 yards per game and scored 12 touchdowns, tops among SEC backs that only played 12 games. His season total of 1,308 rushing yards is fifth-best total in school history and 156 yards shy of the school record.

Games/Starts: 11/1 … Paced 2008 Vols with six touchdowns, all rushing … Second on team with 76 rushing attempts, finishing with 271 yards … Also caught four passes for 24 yards … Hard-nosed ball carrier scored twice at UCLA while gaining 66 yards on 12 attempts -- all season highs … First time he scored multiple touchdowns in one game … Rushed 10 times for 35 yards and TD at Auburn … Also scored touchdowns against UAB, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt … Only start of season came at Nashville after having missed Wyoming game with injury … Topped career 1,000-yard rushing mark against Commodores on 27-yard gain - his longest from scrimmage since that highlight-reel TD run against California in 2006 … Finished with 41 yards on seven carries and one touchdown vs. Vanderbilt … Added TDs against UAB, Auburn and Mississippi State.

Games/Starts: 11/0 … Had Vols' only rushing TD against California … Finished game with 27 yards on nine carries and added two receptions for four yards against Golden Bears … Rushed two times for 11 yards against Southern Miss … Rushed for 68 yards and touchdown on 14 carries versus Georgia … Ran for career-high 78 yards at Mississippi State … Had only two offensive touches against South Carolina, but scored touchdown … Carried 20 time for 65 yards against Arkansas and added eight attempts for 26 yards at Kentucky … Missed three contests, including SEC Championship Game, because of injury … Returned to contribute 56 all-purpose yards in Outback Bowl against Wisconsin … Had season-long run of 26 yards against Badgers and season-long reception of 21 yards.

Games/Starts: 13/5 … Showed he had fully recovered from a torn ACL when he powered through California defense for 43-yard TD run in season opener … Finished with 56 yards on five carries … Career highs in attempts (19) and yards (73) while scoring sec

Games/Starts: 2/0 … Received medical hardship for 2005 because of knee injury suffered against Mississippi … Appeared in two games before injury … Rushed four times in Ole Miss game for 14 yards … Carried twice at LSU for four yards.

Suffered multiple leg injuries over his career, including a torn ACL (2005), ankle sprains (2007) and a stress fracture (2008).

Rushed for 2,002 yards as high school senior after gaining 1,987 rushing yards previous season … Named All-Area and All-Conference in 2004 after being selected honorable mention All-State previous season … Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 1