Breaking News: After learning that Wilks will be returning kicks next season, UT scientists are hard at work responding to a US national security concern related to the Vols 2009 season.
If UT wins a pre-game toss and the opposing team elects to defend either the North or South endzone, a lateral movement by Wilks towards the East would result in him running against the Earth's rotation--creating an extraordinary force that counters the Earth's natural rotation.
While the physics of such an event are complex, there's concern over potential catastrophic disasters never before known to mankind. While some leading scientist theorize earthquakes following Wilks first few lateral steps, others express concern over a potential time warp should Wilks continue running East creating a stall in the Earth's rotation.
To date, potential remedies under consideration include forcing Wilks to wear lead boots (US Naval diving gear prototypes are being tested and new ones developed). Additionally, NASA has proposed a new gravity boot that may have enough power to slow Wilks upward leg movement and the resulting acceleration enough to avoid the perils of a catastrophic event. However, finding a material strong enough to resist the decomposition created by the opposing forces between the Earth's spin and Wilks' acceleration have plagued all prototypes tested to date.
The Vols hope to avoid NCAA restrictions on playing Wilks should all scientific efforts fail.
Considering the enormity of the event, UT's opponent was notified of the potential danger their team could face. After being apprised of the situation, WKU Head Football Coach David Elson, contacted UT's new Head Football Coach Lane Kiffin, during a cross-country recruiting flight. Coach Kiffin helped relieve Elson's concern by reiterating his strong conviction that in spite of Wilks' world-renowned talent, no one, not even Wilks, has yet earned a starting position.
In response to the story Wilks simply said.. "Whatever."