Tyler Smith emerges as leader for Vols

By MAURICE PATTON • Staff Writer • July 17, 2008 Once Tyler Smith decided he wasn't ready for the NBA, his focus turned to getting himself ready to be the best college player he could be. Tennessee Coach Bruce Pearl said that approach is one the rest of the Vols would do well to emulate. With the departure of senior guards Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith, the former Giles County star has worked his way into a leadership role for the Vols. "I think Tyler's the best candidate we have to fulfill the role of being a leader," Pearl said of the ex-Iowa signee. "He made a very difficult decision to come back. "It would have been very fashionable to throw his name in the (NBA) draft. He decided to do something very unfashionable — deciding to throw himself into the weight room, into the Pratt Pavilion for individual workouts. I think... [read full story]