Former WKU star Antonio Andrews carries the ball during a practice with the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, July 31, 2014 in Nashville. (Austin Anthony/Daily News)

NASHVILLE — The odds are not in Antonio Andrews’ favor.

The former record-setting running back from Western Kentucky is among seven running backs vying for a roster spot with the Tennessee Titans during training camp. Signed as an undrafted free agent in May and one of three rookies in his position group this fall, Andrews has 2 1/2 weeks of practice and four preseason games to prove that he belongs on the roster.

Thursday at Saint Thomas Sports Park, the Fort Campbell High School product continued to try and make the most of his limited offensive touches and his special teams work.

“It’s been good so far, man,” he said of training camp. “It’s a learning curve, but I’m just showing them what I retained from all the (organized team activity) and minicamp (in the spring). Just trying to fit in.”

Andrews’ main competition in the backfield includes veterans Jackie Battle, Shonn Greene, Dexter McCluster and Leon Washington. Fellow rookie Bishop Sankey was drafted as the 54th overall pick in the NFL Draft in May and reportedly signed a four-year deal with a $1.18 million bonus.

That leaves Andrews and rookie Waymon James (Texas Christian University) vying for coveted preseason touches.

“He’s working extremely hard, but has a lot of work to do,” Titans running backs coach Sylvester Croom said. “We just look forward to getting him over these next couple of days to sharpen up on assignments and him getting used to the physicality of the National Football League.

“We brought him in for a specific reason, to give us some power in the running game and he’s just getting acclimated. Again, it’s an adjustment period, getting used to the speed of the game and knowing how to practice and still being able to improve and work hard every day without getting overzealous in practice.”

What Andrews hopes separates him from the competition this fall is his versatility. His Hilltopper career included 6,799 all-purpose yards as a running back, receiver and kick returner.

As a senior, he set the program’s rushing record with 1,730 yards and finished with 16 touchdowns while also amassing more than 400 yards in the return games.

“I definitely have to do some special teams,” he said about how he can turn heads in camp. “I’m just trying to show them how versatile I am, that I can play kickoff and punt, punt return, kick return – not just being a returner, but also blocking.”

The Titans have scheduled practices today through Monday, Wednesday and Thursday before their first preseason game Aug. 9 against the Green Bay Packers at LP Field. The team’s regular season opener is Sept. 7 in Kansas City against the Chiefs.

Whether Andrews will be on the field for that contest remains to be seen.

“It’s good to have him here,” said Jason Michael, Titans offensive coordinator and former WKU quarterback. “He’s done a good job so far. He’s working hard and working hard to find his role and where that is, whether that be offensively or special teams. He’s working hard to find a spot and that’s what everybody here is doing.

“It’s always good to have a Hilltopper around.”

Other NFL Tops

As of Thursday, eight other former Hilltoppers are in NFL camps across the country.

Coming off a breakout season, running back Bobby Rainey is in Tampa Bay. He rushed for 532 yards and five scores last season for the Buccaneers after being cut by Baltimore and Cleveland.

Defensive end Quanterus Smith is in Denver for the second season after missing 2013 with an injury. Tight end Jack Doyle is back with the Indianapolis Colts after playing in 15 games in last year.

Linebacker Xavius Boyd (Buffalo), safety Jonathan Dowling (Raiders) and linebackers Andrew Jackson (Colts) and Kadeem Jones (Rams) are all starting their rookie seasons. Defensive back Derrius Brooks, who played the 2013 season in the Canadian Football League, is with New Orleans.

— Follow Western Kentucky University beat reporter Chad Bishop on Twitter at twitter.com/MrChadBishop or visit bgdailynews.com.