Countdown to September 1st vs Ball State (Top 250 Vols)

[Tin Man]

I check into VN everyday to read this thread. I may or may not do anything else, but I read this thread.

 

[peaygolf]

I check into VN everyday to read this thread. I may or may not do anything else, but I read this thread.

top 100 will be fun

 

[OneManGang]

I check into VN everyday to read this thread. I may or may not do anything else, but I read this thread.

As do I. In part it's because I realize just how much work something like this involves.

Also, anyone who has 20K more "likes" than posts has my respect. Quality over quantity.

 

[peaygolf]

As do I. In part it's because I realize just how much work something like this involves.

Also, anyone who has 20K more "likes" than posts has my respect.

View attachment 442618

I've said it before......... I'm an admitted History Geek. I do live in the past far too often, but looking back and learning about past excellence is fun for me. I'm glad that some appreciate it for what it is.
Personally speaking, it's a shame that some don't know about those that laid the foundation for what is UT football.

 

[MemphisVol77]

top 100 will be fun

May any who wish to critique your top 100 rankings preface it with their preceding top 250-100 and equivalent research!

I usually either start my day or end my day with this thread.

It's always a highlight for me how you (and often several other Vol lore enthusiasts) find old photos, news reals, game programs, and other Vol arcana that helps contextualize the posts.

In case you guys are wondering, I know at least one guy that will even zoom in on newspaper headlines and read what he can from the story.

 

[peaygolf]

161 days……

#161 - Dick Dodson

Dodson was a fullback from 1925-1927 and helped the Vols to a 21-3-2 record during those seasons. A bruising runner and a powerful blocker, Dodson was praised by Coach Neyland and opposing coaches as well. His late TD vs Vanderbilt in 1927 allowed the Vols to tie the game and earn a share of the Southern Conference championship. During the Transylvania game, he scored on a 91 yard run, the 3rd longest in school history. He was named to the All-Southern team following the ‘27 season.

 

[ArdentVol]

162 days.............

#162 - Craig Puki

Puki, a Washington native, arrived in 1975 as a fullback and had 26 carries for 135 yards, was then moved to center during spring practice in 1976 before settling in at linebacker. In 1976, Puki had 103 tackles and 1 fumble recovery in his first season at his new position. In 1977, he was injured in the first game and had to be redshirted. In 1978, he had 14 tackles vs UCLA and 13 vs Auburn, while intercepting a late pass to preserve a 13-13 tie vs Oregon St. He finished the season with 131 tackles and a fumble recovery. As a senior, Puki made 1st Team All-SEC, as he registered 122 tackles, 3 sacks, and another interception, helping the Vols to the Garden State Bowl. He finished his career with 358 tackles, good for 6th all time in UT history. He was a 3rd round pick by the 49ers and and won Super Bowl XVI.


View attachment 442600

photo tells his story

 

[ArdentVol]

I check into VN everyday to read this thread. I may or may not do anything else, but I read this thread.

well said

 

[peaygolf]

160 days…..

#160 - Charles McRae

McRae was a Clinton native and a four year letterman from 1987-1990. After a redshirt year in ‘86, he was thrust into action on the defensive line due to injuries. He had a blocked field goal and an extra point, while collecting 26 tackles and a forced fumble. In ‘88, he had 8 tackles and a sack, but was sidelined much of the season with a foot injury. In 1990, McRae moved to the offensive line and became part of a record setting offense. He paved the way for the SECs leading rushing attack and helped the Vols to a SEC championship. He was named 2nd team All-SEC. For good measure, he blocked two more kicks. As a senior, he again led the Vols to an SEC championship and helped Tony Thompson rush for over 1,000 yards. He was named 1st team All-SEC and was the 7th pick in the ‘91 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

160 days. Thank goodness we're into some exciting practices and some recruiting. I was getting down to my seed corn.

 

[peaygolf]

159 days...............

#159 - Shawn Bryson

From 1995 to 1998, Tennessee football had a running back set the single-season rushing record, another running back become a freshman All-American and a third running back take over after that freshman got hurt as a sophomore, only to eventually become the school’s all-time leading rusher. However, Shawn Bryson was a consistent reason for the success all of them had. Bryson spent four years as the key fullback, and in the 1998 national championship season, he had the first touchdown run in UT’s key regular season over the Florida Gators and caught the first touchdown in the title game against the Florida State Seminoles. A leader with incredible strength and speed, Bryson was the ultimate team player. He was a team captain in '98 and finished his career with 505 yards rushing and 8 TDs, while catching 50 passes for 484 yards and another TD. His numbers alone are not what's important. It was his the combination of key plays, well executed blocking, and his leadership that makes him one of the best Vols of all-time. He was a 3rd round pick by the Bills in 1999 and also played for the Lions during his successful NFL career.

 

[peaygolf]

158 days……

#158 - Craig Colquitt

Colquitt was the Vols punter from 1975-1977 and continued the tradition of great UT punters. He was a little inconsistent his first season, but still averaged 40.3 yards. Working with Coach Cafego, Colquitt became one of the best in the country. As a junior, he averaged 42.3 yards per punt and was named 1st team All-SEC. As a senior, he upped his average to 45.0 yards, and again was named 1st team All-SEC. Today, those averages don’t seem like that much, but back then it was huge. He was such a weapon with his ability to change field position, he was chosen as a 3rd round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1978. He played eight seasons in Pittsburgh, winning two Super Bowls.

 

[MAD]

158 days……

#158 - Craig Colquitt

Colquitt was the Vols punter from 1975-1977 and continued the tradition of great UT punters. He was a little inconsistent his first season, but still averaged 40.3 yards. Working with Coach Cafego, Colquitt became one of the best in the country. As a junior, he averaged 42.3 yards per punt and was named 1st team All-SEC. As a senior, he upped his average to 45.0 yards, and again was named 1st team All-SEC. Today, those averages don’t seem like that much, but back then it was huge. He was such a weapon with his ability to change field position, he was chosen as a 3rd round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1978. He played eight seasons in Pittsburgh, winning two Super Bowls.

View attachment 443582

‘Looks like that photo might have have been from the Orange/white game. Was he the punter when we had the barefooted kicker?

 

[peaygolf]

‘Looks like that photo might have have been from the Orange/white game. Was he the punter when we had the barefooted kicker?

I swear I was just about to ask you what “game” that was from

 

[peaygolf]

‘Looks like that photo might have have been from the Orange/white game. Was he the punter when we had the barefooted kicker?

It was Jimmy Gaylor……who also played baseball. Don’t remember if he was barefoot or not

Edit…… yes he was!!!!
Nice call

 

[MAD]

It was Jimmy Gaylor……who also played baseball. Don’t remember if he was barefoot or not

Edit…… yes he was!!!!
Nice call

I was actually thinking of Ricky Townsend. Maybe he played a few years earlier. As far as Gaylor, maybe he kicked barefooted as well.

 

[peaygolf]

I was actually thinking of Ricky Townsend. Maybe he played a few years earlier. As far as Gaylor, maybe he kicked barefooted as well.

Both did. Not sure if Gaylor did his entire career……you’ll see Ricky here later

 

[peaygolf]

157 days...........

#157- Bill Majors

A "do-everything" kind of player, Majors had big shoes to fill, but lived up to it. From 1958-1960, he played single-wing tailback, running back, returner, punter, and defensive back. His best season was 1959, and he was only named to the 3rd team All-SEC, but that doesn't define his excellence on the field. Huge passes won games vs Alabama, pin-point punts changed field position to save wins, interceptions won games vs, Auburn, and a big hit beat a National Champion. During his three seasons, Majors threw for 397 yards and 3 TDs, rushed for 692 yards and 3 TDs, punted 116 times for a 37 yard average, had 780 yrds in returns, and intercepted 7 passes. He was a 9th round pick by the Bills in the AFL draft and played one season, and then came home to UT to coach. He was tragically killed in a car crash in 1965. He would almost certainly been named the head coach after Dickey left had the crash not happened.

 

[IndianaVol]

157 days...........

#157- Bill Majors

A "do-everything" kind of player, Majors had big shoes to fill, but lived up to it. From 1958-1960, he played single-wing tailback, running back, returner, punter, and defensive back. His best season was 1959, and he was only named to the 3rd team All-SEC, but that doesn't define his excellence on the field. Huge passes won games vs Alabama, pin-point punts changed field position to save wins, interceptions won games vs, Auburn, and a big hit beat a National Champion. During his three seasons, Majors threw for 397 yards and 3 TDs, rushed for 692 yards and 3 TDs, punted 116 times for a 37 yard average, had 780 yrds in returns, and intercepted 7 passes. He was a 9th round pick by the Bills in the AFL draft and played one season, and then came home to UT to coach. He was tragically killed in a car crash in 1965. He would almost certainly been named the head coach after Dickey left had the crash not happened.

View attachment 443824View attachment 443825

One of the most versatile players ever...one could only imagine what that coaching career would have looked like.

 

[thedocvol]

157 days...........

#157- Bill Majors

A "do-everything" kind of player, Majors had big shoes to fill, but lived up to it. From 1958-1960, he played single-wing tailback, running back, returner, punter, and defensive back. His best season was 1959, and he was only named to the 3rd team All-SEC, but that doesn't define his excellence on the field. Huge passes won games vs Alabama, pin-point punts changed field position to save wins, interceptions won games vs, Auburn, and a big hit beat a National Champion. During his three seasons, Majors threw for 397 yards and 3 TDs, rushed for 692 yards and 3 TDs, punted 116 times for a 37 yard average, had 780 yrds in returns, and intercepted 7 passes. He was a 9th round pick by the Bills in the AFL draft and played one season, and then came home to UT to coach. He was tragically killed in a car crash in 1965. He would almost certainly been named the head coach after Dickey left had the crash not happened.

View attachment 443824View attachment 443825

So I’ve often heard that it would have been Bill and not Johnny who would have been head coach after Dickey left. It’s reasonable to think that with Bill Majors already on staff he would have been in a better position than his older brother. Battle, at the time he was named head coach, was the youngest college football coach in what became division one. And Bill Majors was three years older than Battle giving him another edge (besides being a Tennessee graduate and not an Alabama one). Do you have anything other than suppositions to support this? I don’t and have always been curious.

 

[peaygolf]

So I’ve often heard that it would have been Bill and not Johnny who would have been head coach after Dickey left. It’s reasonable to think that with Bill Majors already on staff he would have been in a better position than his older brother. Battle, at the time he was named head coach, was the youngest college football coach in what became division one. And Bill Majors was three years older than Battle giving him another edge (besides being a Tennessee graduate and not an Alabama one). Do you have anything other than suppositions to support this? I don’t and have always been curious.

Just a few guys that I know that played at UT in the late 60’s and early 70’s have said that he would have most likely taken over after Dickey left. Battle was hired in his place as an assistant after he passed away. Nothing definitive, just based on a few players.

 

[peaygolf]

156 days...........

#156 - Earnest Fields

Milan's finest arrived as a decorated running back and lettered from 1988-1991. He was switched to linebacker early and became one of the most feared players in the SEC. A hard hitter with a nose for the ball, Fields started 6 games as a redshirt freshman in 1988 after receiving a hardship year after getting injured after his 3rd game in 1987. He made freshman All-American in '88 after making 80 tackles and 4 TFLs. In 1989, he played in all 11 games and made 65 tackles, including 8 in the Cotton Bowl, and 3 interceptions. In 1990, Fields was named 2nd team All-SEC after collecting 140 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 2 ints. He had 15 tackles vs Notre Dame and 14 vs Vanderbilt. He was named SEC defensive player of the week after the Kentucky game. where he made 14 solo tackles, one int and a fumble recovery. As a senior captain, he was a TBS All-SEC selection after making 116 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 TFLs, and an interception. For his career, Fields 4th all time in Tennessee history with 407 tackles. Considered too short for the NFL, Fields played one season in the CFL and one season in the Arena League.

 

[OffTackleVol]

156 days...........

#156 - Earnest Fields

Milan's finest arrived as a decorated running back and lettered from 1988-1991. He was switched to linebacker early and became one of the most feared players in the SEC. A hard hitter with a nose for the ball, Fields started 6 games as a redshirt freshman in 1988 after receiving a hardship year after getting injured after his 3rd game in 1987. He made freshman All-American in '88 after making 80 tackles and 4 TFLs. In 1989, he played in all 11 games and made 65 tackles, including 8 in the Cotton Bowl, and 3 interceptions. In 1990, Fields was named 2nd team All-SEC after collecting 140 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 2 ints. He had 15 tackles vs Notre Dame and 14 vs Vanderbilt. He was named SEC defensive player of the week after the Kentucky game. where he made 14 solo tackles, one int and a fumble recovery. As a senior captain, he was a TBS All-SEC selection after making 116 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 TFLs, and an interception. For his career, Fields 4th all time in Tennessee history with 407 tackles. Considered too short for the NFL, Fields played one season in the CFL and one season in the Arena League.

View attachment 444055

Tennessee's had remarkable success moving running backs to linebacker. One day I'm going to try and remember 'em all and list 'em.

 

[MAD]

This thread gets me pumped for the upcoming season.

@peaygolf

 

[peaygolf]

I guess nobody was a Fields fan???