The team's "fifth" defensive lineman, McBride proved to be not only a capable performer, but also a versatile one in playing at a variety of positions on the front wall throughout his career. Much like Penn State's Tim Shaw, McBride was the first player the coaching staff would plug in to a position when injuries or poor performances dictated that the Vols needed a spark upfront.

While moving around to different positions would generally impede the progress of a young athlete, McBride seemed to thrive in the role. Even though he started only 17 of 43 games during his career, the coaches will tell you that he was the Vols' most valuable lineman.

For McBride, it was a family affair at Woodrow Wilson High School, where he played football for his uncle, head coach Mike McBride. Turk earned Parade and SuperPrep All-American honors, in addition to garnering all-state, all-area, All-Group III, all-conference and All-South Jersey accolades. He was rated the fifth-best overall prospect in the state of New Jersey by SuperPrep.

McBride was a four-year starter as a receiver, and started his final two seasons as a defensive end. He recorded 67 tackles, four fumble recoveries, four caused fumbles, one interception and four blocked punts as a senior. He set a school single-season record with 16 sacks that year after totaling 13 his junior year.

The previous season, he totaled 60 tackles to go with three fumble recoveries, four blocked field goals and two fumble returns for scores. On offense that season, had 24 catches for 486 yards and nine touchdowns. He also lettered in track, competing in the shot put and discus while also running in the 100 meters.

McBride enrolled at Tennessee in 2003 and saw action in eight games as a true freshman. He was listed third on the depth chart at right defensive end, managing just one assisted tackle while deflecting one pass. In 2004, McBride's versatility came into play.

With injuries on the front wall, he appeared in all 13 games. He started against Georgia at left end, lined up at left tackle against Alabama and Vanderbilt, then shifted to right tackle against Auburn. He finished the season with 36 tackles (22 solos), three sacks, eight stops for losses and six pressures. He also caused and recovered two fumbles.

An ankle sprain would limit McBride to nine games in 2005. He lined up at left tackle, producing 16 tackles (9 solos) with 2½ sacks and 3½ stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also came up with three quarterback pressures.

His versatility and newfound leadership skills helped the team through several injuries in 2006. He was also injured himself, suffering a hip pointer against Georgia, but he played through pain to start all 13 games. He took over the defensive captaincy role when Justin Harrell was lost for the season after the third game.

McBride started the first two games at left end, shifted to right tackle vs. Florida and then shifted to Harrell's left tackle spot for the rest of the season. He picked up All-Southeastern Conference honors, as he recorded 68 tackles (42 solos), one sack, nine stops for losses and five pressures. He also caused one fumble and deflected a pass.

In 43 games at Tennessee, McBride started 17 times. He finished with 121 tackles (73 solos), 6½ sacks for minus-42 yards, 20½ stops for losses of 74 yards and 14 quarterback pressures. He recovered a pair of fumbles and caused three others. He also had three pass deflections.

Positives: Has thick muscle mass, with a broad upper frame, muscular arms, wide hips, good bubble and thick thighs … Strong, aggressive defender with impressive upper body strength … Has the quickness and timed speed to explode out of his stance and is the type who goes full speed on every play … Shows good urgency working his way down the line and has the pad level and burst to get quick penetration when he locates the gap … Has just an adequate feel for blocking schemes, but has improved his ability to "read hats" and slip off blocks … Is best served making plays in the move to compensate for a lack of size and bulk working the interior (will get pushed back by double teams), but knows how to use his quickness and hand placement to generate counter moves needed to escape trash … Generates a quick surge off the snap, showing the first step to gain advantage on the blockers … Has a good feel for blocking schemes, using his hands to keep opponents from attacking his feet … Has the functional strength and short-area quickness to flash into the backfield to flush out the quarterback … Takes good angles in pursuit when playing off the line and flattens with a good burst to close … Takes short steps to move through the pile and has enough functional lower body strength to sit and anchor vs. the single block (lacks the size to combat double teams, though) … Brings his hips in attempts to square up and wrap up ball carriers … Plays the game on his feet when on the move, and while he lacks the long distance top speed, he has the short-area burst and acceleration to close … Shows urgency getting to the ball and the balance to defeat blocks coming off the edge … Closes with speed and uses his hands effectively to slip past blockers … Keeps very active with his arms when engaging and can quickly adjust to chase, showing an explosive burst when closing … Not really effective as a pass rusher off the edge, but does flash a decent swim move to beat a lethargic blocker (not good as a bull rusher) … When he keeps his hands active, he does an adequate job of creating separation from blockers … Given a free lane, he has enough short-area speed to pressure the pocket … Effective on stunts, taking good angles to the ball (can also slant with proper balance).

Negatives: Played tackle, but seems to struggle too much with multiple blocks to be effective playing inside in a three-technique system and doesn't have the long timed speed to get consistent penetration as an edge rusher … Gets tied up and stuck on double team blocks too much, especially when his initial move does not work … Has the speed to make the chase in lateral pursuit, but lacks the bulk to anchor at the point of attack or get stout to neutralize the inside rush lanes … Gets pushed around when trying to split blocks, and while he can handle one-on-one action, he doesn't generate the hand punch to counter multiple blockers … Has to develop stronger arm swipes to prevent blockers from stranding him at the line of scrimmage (active with his hands, but his weight-room strength fails to translate to the field) … Tends to get too tall in his stance and narrow in his base, making it easy for blockers to attack him low and ride him off … Shows good urgency in his play, but will over-pursue at times and lacks the plant-and-drive agility to recover and get back into the play … Undersized tackle who needs to keep his hands active in order to beat blocks (lacks bulk and strength to obliterate blockers) … More of a wrap-up tackler, but you would like to see more explosion behind his hits (will take a side at times and is not consistent in driving the ball carrier back) … Needs to do a better job reading the pre-snap, as he is prone to costly offside penalties.

Compares To: Montae Reagor, Indianapolis Colts … McBride lacks the bulk and brute strength to split double teams working at tackle, and lacks the sustained speed to be an effective edge rusher … Like Reagor, he plays with a high motor and it is his versatility that will earn him a roster spot … He has the potential to be a good situational player, but he doesn't have the power you look for at the point of attack … His good hand usage lets him slip single blocks and he shows a good spin move to be effective on outside stunts.

2005: Suffered a high ankle sprain vs. Louisiana State (Sept. 26), sitting out the following week vs. Mississippi … The injury lingered all year and it eventually forced him to sit out the Memphis (Nov. 12) game.

2006: Left the Georgia game (Oct. 7) in the first half with a left hip pointer.

Campus: 4.96 in the 40-yard dash … 460-pound bench press … 515-pound squat … 300-pound power clean … 31-inch vertical jump … 32-inch arm length … 9 3/8-inch hands.

Attended Woodrow Wilson (Camden, N.J.) High School, playing football for his uncle, head coach Mike McBride … Parade and SuperPrep All-American … Earned all-state, all-area, All-Group III, all-conference and All-South Jersey accolades … Rated the fifth-best overall prospect in the state of New Jersey by SuperPrep … Four-year starter as a receiver and started his final two seasons as a defensive end … Recorded 67 tackles, four fumble recoveries, four caused fumbles, one interception and four blocked punts as a senior … Set a school single-season record with 16 sacks that year after totaling 13 his junior year … The previous season, he totaled 60 tackles to go with three fumble recoveries, four blocked field goals and two fumble returns for scores … On offense that season, had 24 catches for 486 yards and nine touchdowns … Lettered in track, competing in the shot put and discus while also running in the 100 meters.

Sociology major, enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences … Uncle, Mike McBride, coached Turk during his football days at Woodrow Wilson High School … Born Claude Maurice McBride on May 30, 1985 … Resides in Camden, N.J.