Anthony Sims is the team s best defensive lineman, but he s 268 pounds. The return of Eddie Strong, who missed last season because of foot surgery, should give the Rebels a huge boost. He was projected as an all-SEC linebacker before his injury. The Bulldogs biggest hole was left by cornerback Fred Smoot. It s not certain if Corey Banks can talk as much as Smoot did, but Mississippi State believes he can play as well.
Banks is a junior-college transfer who arrived in the spring and took a starting job at cornerback.
He can play, coach Jackie Sherrill said. He s got tremendous ability, good foot speed. Banks also will be used on punt and kickoff returns. He, safety Pig Prather, linebacker Mario Haggan and defensive end Dorsett Davis should give the Bulldogs another strong defense. With practically every starter returning, the Vols had an uneventful spring practice.