Tennessee hasn't gotten to October without hitting a couple of bumps in the SEC road, but it's hardly been all bad news for the 3-2 Vols as they prepare for a tricky trip to Starkville. One of the most pleasant surprises can be found in the middle of the Vols new 3-4 defensive front where Dan McCullers' speedy acclimation to life in the SEC is hard to miss.

The massive McCullers was pinpointed early on as one of the newcomers that Derek Dooley's team most needed to make an immediate impact in 2012. Through five games it's safe to say that impact's being made by the junior college transfer, with the definite feeling that he's just scratching the surface of what he's capable of.

He's coming off his best effort of the season against Georgia, a stellar performance that saw him record eight tackles--two for a loss--to go along with a blocked extra point. He was a consistent force in the middle of the line all afternoon in Athens and a huge part of a fourth quarter effort that gave Tennessee's offense not one, but two shots at tying the game.

"I'm not surprised with the way things have gone. I'm not where I need to be yet but I feel like I'm getting better every week. I always felt like if just came in and worked hard things would work out.

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