(WVLT) -- Camp Kiffin is officially underway. Lane Kiffin has been on the job for about eight months, but the intensity gets turned up now with kickoff against Western Kentucky about a month away.

Speaking of turning up the heat, conditions were difficult with the sun beaming down on Haslam field. The emphasis on conditioning was evident early on and to help motivate the players, coach Kiffin even piped through some music over the loud speakers. By the way, the Vols are wearing new Adidas practice jersey's this year, with three stripes running down the side. But it's the players in them who Lane Kiffin and his new staff hope will make the difference.

Quarterback Jonathan Crompton took the lead snaps under center followed by Nick Stephens and Mike Rozier, who'll wear number 18 and number 19, newly acquired junior college transfer Nick Lamaison. Highly touted running back Bryce Brown is wearing #11 and yes, the young man does look impressive at first glance. Fellow Freshman running back David Oku will donn Arian Foster's old number 27, while the speedy and somewhat tiny Nu'Keese Richardson is #7. Richardson looks quick and along with Gerald Jones is getting some work at returning punts. Speaking of punts, the Vols are looking to replace Britton Colquitt and junior college transfer David Harrington was booming some kicks. He looked crisper than heir apparent Chad Cunningham, who started the first few games of the 2008 season when Colquitt was suspended.

Freshman receiver Zach Rogers -- brother of Austin, the fifth-year senior who is out for the season with a knee injury -- made an admirable gesture in honor of his fallen sibling. He came onto the practice field wearing the No. 21 jersey -- Austin's number. Rogers made the switch to his #83 after a couple periods of practice. He is as fast as anyone on the field, and he looks very fundamentally sound. Look for him to contribute early, just like his brother did during his freshman season.

Don't let Richardson's diminutive size fool you -- he's a strong kid. He's also freakishly athletic. The Pahokee, Fla. native made an impressive one-handed catch during two-man passing drills. He has secure hands and can make cuts faster than a lightning bolt. He appeared to suffer from a minor cramp early in practice, but stretched for a couple minutes, drank some water, and went right back to full-speed work. Simplicity was the name of the game with him -- at one point, Kiffin rearranged a formation so Richardson could remain in the "X" receiver spot.

Also getting work at receiver is newcomer Marsalis Teague. His position was up in the air when he first arrived on campus, but the coaches have settled him in on the offensive side of the ball, and he looks like a natural. Teague played quarterback and defensive back at Henry County High School.

Four Vols got work returning punts, including three newcomers. Teague, Rogers, and Richardson joined Gerald Jones during special teams drills.

The quarterback play was not without its blemishes. At one point, with Crompton under center, the coaches halted a play and Kiffin exclaimed, "Can we get somebody back there who knows our cadence?" Chalk it up to typical first-day rust. Juco transfer Nick Lamaison looked sharp -- he's got a strong arm and generally put the ball where it needed to be, though his spiral was wobbly at times.

Bryce Brown's thickness is impressive. He's bigger than I imagined him to be -- both in terms of height and strength. We'll see what happens when he gets in pads, but he at least looks like the real deal.

We'll have a more complete rundown after practice. In summary -- this team is in shape and motivated. Today was not the easiest day to start practice -- sweltering heat and no breeze. The Vols overcame the conditions and played at a snappy tempo. A good starting point.