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

#551
#551
105 days…….

#105 - Jimmy Noonan

A Dyersburg, Tn native, Noonan started his playing career at linebacker in 1976, registering 33 tackles. When Coach Majors arrived, he saw something in the 5’10 225 lb body that screamed MiddleGuard. A mean streak, strength, quickness, and the ability to get low allowed Noonan to excel at his new position. As a sophomore, he made 150 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. In 1978, injuries crept in, but he still managed 105 tackles and 5 sacks. He was named Southeast defensive player of the week vs Kentucky, after his 15 tackles, 3 sacks, and a fumble recovery. 1979 was a wash for Noonan after a foot injury caused him to miss the entire season. In his final season in 1980, Jimmy was named 1st team All-SEC after registering 67 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles…..in only 9 games. For his career, Noonan had 355 tackles, 11 sacks, and 10 forced fumbles. He was as disruptive a player that Johnny Majors ever coached.

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#552
#552
peaygolf said:
105 days…….

#105 - Jimmy Noonan

A Dyersburg, Tn native, Noonan started his playing career at linebacker in 1976, registering 33 tackles. When Coach Majors arrived, he saw something in the 5’10 225 lb body that screamed MiddleGuard. A mean streak, strength, quickness, and the ability to get low allowed Noonan to excel at his new position. As a sophomore, he made 150 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. In 1978, injuries crept in, but he still managed 105 tackles and 5 sacks. He was named Southeast defensive player of the week vs Kentucky, after his 15 tackles, 3 sacks, and a fumble recovery. 1979 was a wash for Noonan after a foot injury caused him to miss the entire season. In his final season in 1980, Jimmy was named 1st team All-SEC after registering 67 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles…..in only 9 games. For his career, Noonan had 355 tackles, 11 sacks, and 10 forced fumbles. He was as disruptive a player that Johnny Majors ever coached.

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I used to love hearing Mr. John Ward call his name over the radio broadcast........
 
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#556
#556
104 days...........

#104 - Jeff Hall

Clutch. That is what Jeff Hall was. Yes, when he left Tennessee, he was the all-time leading scorer in SEC history with 371 points. Yes, he was a 2X All-SEC kicker, but neither tells the real story. He started off his career with a game winner over Georgia as a freshman and ended his career with game winning kicks in 1998 against Syracuse and the "Pandemonium Reigns" kick over Florida. Without those kicks, UT never wins the SEC, much less the NC. Hall was a 6th round pick by Washington in the '99 draft. He never really stuck in the NFL, but he will always be a legend in Knoxville.

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#557
#557
103 days........

#103 - Aaron Sears

Sears is one of the better Vols to come out of Alabama. As a freshman, Sears made one start and appeared in seven games. As a sophomore, he made 12 starts at three different positions on the offensive line. As a junior in 2005, Sears started 11 games and played every position on the line except center. He was named 1st Team All-SEC by both coaches and writers. As a senior, he was named team captain and paved the way for Arian Foster and LaMarcus Coker who combined for 1,018 yards and 10 TDs. Known for his brute strength and quickness, Sears was named 1st team All-SEC and 1st Team All-American. Sears was a 2nd round pick by Tampa Bay in 2007 and played three seasons. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie team in 2007.

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#558
#558
102 days..........

#102 - Andre Lott

From Memphis Melrose, Lott was a partial qualifier in 1997, and didn't see the field until '98. During the NC season, he was a back-up that played quite a bit, collecting 24 tackles. In 1999, he started 12 games, making 45 tackles and recovering 2 fumbles from his cornerback position. His first TD was scored when he returned a fumble 30 yards vs ULM. In 2000, he was switched from corner to safety for depth reasons, and made 55 tackles, broke up 10 passes, and had an interception vs Vandy. He was named 2nd team All-SEC and was a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award. As a senior, he moved back to his natural position at cornerback and was named 1st team All-SEC, after making 28 tackles and breaking up 4 passes. His numbers were down, but that's because of his "lock-down" skills at the position. The senior captain was the 5th round pick by Washington in the 2002 draft and played through the 2006 season. A true VFL, Lott won the Coaches Award while at UT for his unselfishness as a player, always putting the team first.

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#560
#560
101 days…….

#101 - Bud Sherrod

Sherrod was a Knoxville native and played for Gen. Neyland from 1947-1950. Predominately a defensive end, he also played some on offense. He was primarily a reserve in ‘47 and ‘48, he caught 3 passes for 43 yards. When he finally got his chance to start, he made his presence known. In 1949, he was named 1st team All-SEC, while catching 2 passes for 21 yards and making 3 interceptions, returning 2 for touchdowns. His quickness and strength helped keep opponents to only 104 points, and helped UT to a 7-2-1 record, setting the stage for 1950. As alternate captain in 1950, Sherrod, along with Doug Atkins, bookended maybe the best DLine in UT history, seldom giving up a yard on his side. He anchored a defense that yielded only 71 points for the season and led UT to an 11-1 record and #2 national ranking. For the season, Sherrod caught 1 pass for 11 yards, intercepted 1 pass and returned it 68 yards, and even returned a punt for a 43 yard touchdown. He was named Defensive MVP in the Cotton Bowl win over Texas. For his excellent efforts, Sherrod was named 1st team All-SEC again and was also named 1st team All-American in 1951. He was drafted by the Giants in the 17th round in 1951, but only played one season before becoming an assistant coach at Texas Tech for four seasons.

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#564
#564
100 days...........

#100 - Sammy Strang

Very few of probably ever heard of Strang, but he was the first UT QB/Halfback to lead a Vols team to an undefeated season. The Vols went 4-0 in 1896 and went 4-1 the following season. Stats are not recorded during those years, but it well documented that Strang was regarded as the best athlete in the South at that time. He was a stickler to details and ran the offense to perfection, something he demanded. He was also a standout baseball player and was General Neyland's baseball coach at West Point. Neyland said Strang taught him everything he knew about coaching and preparation. That being said makes him a top player in my book! Strang was captain of the football team in1896 and later became the first Vol to ever play Major League Baseball and play in a World Series.

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#565
#565
peaygolf said:
100 days...........

#100 - Sammy Strang

Very few of probably ever heard of Strang, but he was the first UT QB/Halfback to lead a Vols team to an undefeated season. The Vols went 4-0 in 1896 and went 4-1 the following season. Stats are not recorded during those years, but it well documented that Strang was regarded as the best athlete in the South at that time. He was a stickler to details and ran the offense to perfection, something he demanded. He was also a standout baseball player and was General Neyland's baseball coach at West Point. Neyland said Strang taught him everything he knew about coaching and preparation. That being said makes him a top player in my book! Strang was captain of the football team in1896 and later became the first Vol to ever play Major League Baseball and play in a World Series.

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Nice way to kick off the century mark. Here lies the beginning of the Maxims.
 
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#566
#566
99 days……

#99 - Donte Stallworth

Stallworth play for three seasons, 1999-2001. His career, is, kinda of an enigma. Nicknamed “Hands,” he had unbelievable talent and speed, but never could stay healthy enough to live up to the lofty expectations. After a redshirt year, Stallworth played in 12 games in ‘99, catching 23 passes for 407 yards and a touchdown. He had a 100 yard game vs USCjr, but his breakout game was in the Fiesta Bowl where he caught 8 passes for 108 yards and 2TDs. In 2000, he started 2 games and had 35 receptions for 519 yards and 2TDs, but fought nagging injuries most of the season. Know for big plays, 5 of the Vols 6 longest pass plays were to Donte. In 2001, injuries lingered, as he only played in 9 games, but he and Kelly Washington formed one of the most dynamic WR tandems in UT history. Donte caught 41 passes for 821 yards (20.0 avg) and 10 TDs. He had 3 TDs vs Kentucky and 2 in the Bowl win over Michigan. He also returned a punt for a TD for good measure during the season. He was named 2nd team All-SEC and was primed for an award winning season in 2002, but decided to forgo is final year and enter the NFL draft. For his career, Stallworth had 99 receptions for 1,747 yards and 13 TDs. He had 6 career 100 yard games, caught 3 TDs in two games, and averaged almost 18 yards per catch during his 3 seasons. He was a 1st round pick by the Saints in the 2002 draft and had a successful NFL career. Several UT WRs have more receptions and career yards, but few were better than Donte when he was healthy.
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#567
#567
peaygolf said:
99 days……

#99 - Donte Stallworth

Stallworth play for three seasons, 1999-2001. His career, is, kinda of an enigma. Nicknamed “Hands,” he had unbelievable talent and speed, but never could stay healthy enough to live up to the lofty expectations. After a redshirt year, Stallworth played in 12 games in ‘99, catching 23 passes for 407 yards and a touchdown. He had a 100 yard game vs USCjr, but his breakout game was in the Fiesta Bowl where he caught 8 passes for 108 yards and 2TDs. In 2000, he started 2 games and had 35 receptions for 519 yards and 2TDs, but fought nagging injuries most of the season. Know for big plays, 5 of the Vols 6 longest pass plays were to Donte. In 2001, injuries lingered, as he only played in 9 games, but he and Kelly Washington formed one of the most dynamic WR tandems in UT history. Donte caught 41 passes for 821 yards (20.0 avg) and 10 TDs. He had 3 TDs vs Kentucky and 2 in the Bowl win over Michigan. He also returned a punt for a TD for good measure during the season. He was named 2nd team All-SEC and was primed for an award winning season in 2002, but decided to forgo is final year and enter the NFL draft. For his career, Stallworth had 99 receptions for 1,747 yards and 13 TDs. He had 6 career 100 yard games, caught 3 TDs in two games, and averaged almost 18 yards per catch during his 3 seasons. He was a 1st round pick by the Saints in the 2002 draft and had a successful NFL career. Several UT WRs have more receptions and career yards, but few were better than Donte when he was healthy.
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Great player and that bowl win over Michigan was absolute dominance. That team should have won the national championship.
 
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#568
#568
Orange. said:
Great player and that bowl win over Michigan was absolute dominance. That team should have won the national championship.
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I didn’t mention it, but Donte’s fumble late in the SECCG was costly towards that reality……Still doesn’t diminish his ability and talent. Just a costly mistake……..
 
#569
#569
peaygolf said:
I didn’t mention it, but Donte’s fumble late in the SECCG was costly towards that reality……Still doesn’t diminish his ability and talent. Just a costly mistake……..
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No reason to mention it. I just always have mixed feelings about that team. Such a missed opportunity. I think it was the turning point. On the other hand, one of my all-time favorite bowl games. At the time it was the biggest deficit loss for Michigan in over 30 years. A real drubbing.
 
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#570
#570
98 days.............

#98 - Bobby Scott

Largely forgotten, Scott was on of the greatest UT QB's prior to the modern day passing game. Scott played from 1968-1970, and set several passing records in the process. As a first year starter in 1969, Scott led the Vols to a9-2 record and a berth in the Gator Bowl. Scott threw for 1,352 yards and 12 TDs and set a UT record for the longest pass play in UT history (81 yards to Lester McCain vs Memphis St.) In 1970, Scott threw for 1,697 yards and 15 TDs, including a then record 385 yards vs Florida (where he was named national player of the week.). The Vols record was 11-1 and won the SEC Championship and a berth in the Sugar Bowl. In the Sugar Bowl victory over Air Force, Scott was named MVP and threw for 288 yards. When his career was over, Scott was the all-time leader in UT history with 32 career TDs and 3,371 yards passing. He was a 14th round pick in the 1971 draft by the Saints and had a successful career as a backup until retiring in 1983.

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