UT's Foster returned for a ring

<p>Tennessee running back Arian Foster wrestled with the decision through a winter of deep contemplation.</p><p> Foster could have declared for the NFL draft after his junior season, following a long line of Tennessee rushers who had made successful transitions to the next level.</p><p> Instead, Foster returned for his senior year.</p><p> “My decision to come back was predicated on a couple of variables,” Foster said. “I talked with a lot of coaches. In the end, I wanted to come back to help Tennessee win a championship.”</p><p> Foster will get that chance beginning today, when the Vols host rival Florida before 107,000 screaming, orange-clad fans at Neyland Stadium.</p><p> Coming off a 101-yard rushing performance last week against UAB, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Foster is the Southeastern Conference’s active career leader in rushing yards (2,590) and all-purpose yards (3,374).</p><p> “Arian is certainly off to a great start,” Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. “Our running backs have done well. It’s very important for us to be able to lean on those guys.”</p><p> Foster said he prepared in the offseason for another heavy workload. Last season, Foster gained 1,193 yards on 245 carries and also caught 39 passes out of the backfield.</p><p> “I feel like I’ve put myself in good position,” Foster said. “I came back a little quicker, a little faster, a little stronger than last season.”</p><p> Foster, a San Diego native, returned to the west coast earlier this month, playing in front of family and friends when Tennessee visited UCLA. But it wasn’t the homecoming Foster envisioned. The Vols lost 27-24 putting a severe dent in any potential national title hopes. During the game, Foster lost a key fumble on a first-and-goal play.</p><p> Tennessee can begin its path toward redemption today with an upset of the fourth-ranked Gators.</p><p> “This is a long season,” Foster said. “Anything can happen, as we saw last season. You just have to move forward.”</p>