It's hard to imagine where Tennessee would be without Justin Harrell and Arron Sears as it prepares to host California on Saturday in the season opener.

The two linemen both considered departing for the NFL before returning to UT for their senior season. Harrell is the only returning starter on UT's defensive line. a

Sears is the only offensive lineman set to start the same position he did a year ago. He's there once again, protecting Erik Ainge's blindside at left tackle.

"It makes it a lot easier to just stand there and throw the ball down the field knowing that nothing's coming from the left side," the junior quarterback said. "If they want to blitz, I can handle that but if they want to just go man-on-man, I don't have to worry about getting sacked.

"He's the best there is."

Perhaps no player knows Sears' ability better than senior defensive lineman Turk McBride. The two have faced off in countless practice battles.

"I don't think it gets any better than that," McBride said. "Arron's the type of guy that you don't see that often.

"He's got 'It,' whatever that is. His size, strength, speed, footwork. For him to be 330-plus pounds, he can move like 280. He has 'It.' "

Harrell's presence is just as important as Sears'. For the first time in recent memory, UT won't have a handful of defensive tackles to rotate.

Fulmer said UT would utilize a three-man rotation Saturday. Harrell, former walk-on Matt McGlothlin and J.T. Mapu, who returned from a two-year mission, are the only ones deemed worthy for playing time.

Just imagine if Harrell, the headliner, was in the NFL instead of Knoxville. To call the position paper-thin would have been an understatement.

Here's what UT had to replace from last year. Former Vol Jesse Mahelona is playing for the Tennessee Titans after an All-American career. Tony McDaniel, a frequent contributor and likely starter, decided to forgo his senior season to enter the NFL.

McBride is expected to get most of his snaps this week at defensive end, although he could play some tackle as well.

"I think it was critical just to have a little stability up there and Justin's provided that," defensive tackles coach Dan Brooks said. "He's obviously a good football player, but it's important to have some leadership in a group that lost a lot of good players at one time."

Harrell has helped lead UT's defensive tackles this offseason but he and Sears didn't come to Knoxville as leaders. They were encouraged to grow into those roles.

"They are outstanding leaders by example," Fulmer said. "Both of them have become much more vocal, which is one of the things we talked about all the way back to January with both of them."

Harrell said he was always leaning toward returning to UT. It's clear from talking to both, they have a mission in their final season.

"The reason I came back," Harrell said, "was just to get this program back to where it was before I got here."

Added Sears, "I have never lost in my life and the losing season last year just kind of hurt me, so I came back to try to get this program were it needs to be."

Sears admits it was a close call for him in the final stages of his decision, but second guessing will have to wait. Now, he's ready to enjoy college football.

"It's going to be exciting going down through that Vol Walk," Sears said of UT's ceremonial pre-game walk to the stadium.

It's also going to be exciting for their coach. The decisions by his two quiet big men spoke volumes.

"I certainly feel like it will pay off greatly for both of them," Fulmer said, "but I know it will pay off greatly for us. When your best players are your best leaders, that's a good sign on your football team."