Former Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty

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There’s a strong possibility that former Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty will join Jeremy Pruitt’s first staff in Knoxville, a source close to the program told GoVols247 on Thursday night.

Hardesty, a former All-SEC star, has spent the past year on former Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin’s staff at Florida Atlantic, and he spent the 2015 season coaching special teams at Norfolk State.

It’s believed that Hardesty will serve in a quality control coaching position on the offensive side of the ball, potentially working with the Vols’ wide receivers.

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After struggling with injuries and splitting reps with players like Arian Foster his first three seasons at Tennessee, Hardesty enjoyed a breakout season as a senior under Kiffin, collecting 1,647 yards and 14 touchdowns on 307 offensive touches. He was then selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft, but injuries cut short his professional career after a few seasons.

Hardesty would join defensive backs coach Terry Fair as former Tennessee players on Pruitt’s first staff in Knoxville.

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Contact Wes Rucker by email at wes.rucker@cbsinteractive.com or ON TWITTER, or FOLLOW GOVOLS247 ON FACEBOOK.