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

#1,127
#1,127
2 days………

#2 - Peyton Manning

Where do you start? Manning arrived in Knoxville as the most prized recruit in the country in 1994, and became the most revered player in Tennessee history. The accolades are endless. He was the SEC Freshman of the Year after throwing for 1,141 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1994. As a sophomore he was a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Quarterback Award and Football News Offensive Player of the Year. He was 1st Team All-SEC and finished 6th in the Heisman voting. He set UT single-season passing records for attempts (380), completions (244), completion percentage (64.2) and yards gained (2,954). As a junior, was second-team All-SEC (AP, Coaches, Football News) and third-team All-America performer (AP, Football News). Manning became UT's first quarterback to throw for more than 3,000 yards in a single season (3,287), breaking his own school record. He had four 300-yard passing games (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Kentucky), then added the Florida Citrus Bowl to the list with a 408-yard performance (27 for 39, four touchdowns) in UT's win over Northwestern and finished 8th in the Heisman voting. After shocking everyone, he returned for his senior season. He hauled in several high-profile honors, including consensus first-team All-America acclaim, the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award (The "Draddy Award"), the Maxwell Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, the Johnny Unitas Award and the "Best College Player" ESPY Award. Manning became the fourth football player ever to win the Sullivan Award, presented annually to the nation's top amateur athlete. In a surprise, he was runner up in the Heisman voting. When his illustrious career was over, Manning had a 39-6 record as a starter and standing as the SEC's all-time career passing leader, with 11,201 yards (third on all-time NCAA list). His 89 career touchdown passes ranked second in SEC history and fourth all-time on the NCAA chart. During his Tennessee career, he set 33 school records, seven SEC records and two NCAA passing records. The numbers alone put him #2 on my list, but it’s what he did for UT football, the fans, and even the state that means the most. He was “our guy.” His four years transformed UT football from “really good,” to “dominant.” He was the No. 1 draft pick in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts and went on to win two Super Bowls during an 18-year, Hall of Fame career in the NFL.

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#1,128
#1,128
peaygolf said:
2 days………

#2 - Peyton Manning

Where do you start? Manning arrived in Knoxville as the most prized recruit in the country in 1994, and became the most revered player in Tennessee history. The accolades are endless. He was the SEC Freshman of the Year after throwing for 1,141 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1994. As a sophomore he was a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Quarterback Award and Football News Offensive Player of the Year. He was 1st Team All-SEC and finished 6th in the Heisman voting. He set UT single-season passing records for attempts (380), completions (244), completion percentage (64.2) and yards gained (2,954). As a junior, was second-team All-SEC (AP, Coaches, Football News) and third-team All-America performer (AP, Football News). Manning became UT's first quarterback to throw for more than 3,000 yards in a single season (3,287), breaking his own school record. He had four 300-yard passing games (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Kentucky), then added the Florida Citrus Bowl to the list with a 408-yard performance (27 for 39, four touchdowns) in UT's win over Northwestern and finished 8th in the Heisman voting. After shocking everyone, he returned for his senior season. He hauled in several high-profile honors, including consensus first-team All-America acclaim, the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award (The "Draddy Award"), the Maxwell Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, the Johnny Unitas Award and the "Best College Player" ESPY Award. Manning became the fourth football player ever to win the Sullivan Award, presented annually to the nation's top amateur athlete. In a surprise, he was runner up in the Heisman voting. When his illustrious career was over, Manning had a 39-6 record as a starter and standing as the SEC's all-time career passing leader, with 11,201 yards (third on all-time NCAA list). His 89 career touchdown passes ranked second in SEC history and fourth all-time on the NCAA chart. During his Tennessee career, he set 33 school records, seven SEC records and two NCAA passing records. The numbers alone put him #2 on my list, but it’s what he did for UT football, the fans, and even the state that means the most. He was “our guy.” His four years transformed UT football from “really good,” to “dominant.” He was the No. 1 draft pick in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts and went on to win two Super Bowls during an 18-year, Hall of Fame career in the NFL.

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I mentioned earlier there should be a Heisman trophy next to the NC trophy with John Majors name on it...in the opposite side should be a second with the name Manning.
 
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#1,129
#1,129
Am I a guru or has #1 become slightly anticlimactic?

#10 - #2 has been so suspenseful for me just wondering what order they'd be ranked, I didn't realize I'd know what the last present is by Christmas Eve.

Edit: Don't bother asking guys. I'm not gonna ruin the countdown for @peaygolf .
 
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#1,131
#1,131
peaygolf said:
2 days………

#2 - Peyton Manning

Where do you start? Manning arrived in Knoxville as the most prized recruit in the country in 1994, and became the most revered player in Tennessee history. The accolades are endless. He was the SEC Freshman of the Year after throwing for 1,141 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1994. As a sophomore he was a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Quarterback Award and Football News Offensive Player of the Year. He was 1st Team All-SEC and finished 6th in the Heisman voting. He set UT single-season passing records for attempts (380), completions (244), completion percentage (64.2) and yards gained (2,954). As a junior, was second-team All-SEC (AP, Coaches, Football News) and third-team All-America performer (AP, Football News). Manning became UT's first quarterback to throw for more than 3,000 yards in a single season (3,287), breaking his own school record. He had four 300-yard passing games (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Kentucky), then added the Florida Citrus Bowl to the list with a 408-yard performance (27 for 39, four touchdowns) in UT's win over Northwestern and finished 8th in the Heisman voting. After shocking everyone, he returned for his senior season. He hauled in several high-profile honors, including consensus first-team All-America acclaim, the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award (The "Draddy Award"), the Maxwell Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, the Johnny Unitas Award and the "Best College Player" ESPY Award. Manning became the fourth football player ever to win the Sullivan Award, presented annually to the nation's top amateur athlete. In a surprise, he was runner up in the Heisman voting. When his illustrious career was over, Manning had a 39-6 record as a starter and standing as the SEC's all-time career passing leader, with 11,201 yards (third on all-time NCAA list). His 89 career touchdown passes ranked second in SEC history and fourth all-time on the NCAA chart. During his Tennessee career, he set 33 school records, seven SEC records and two NCAA passing records. The numbers alone put him #2 on my list, but it’s what he did for UT football, the fans, and even the state that means the most. He was “our guy.” His four years transformed UT football from “really good,” to “dominant.” He was the No. 1 draft pick in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts and went on to win two Super Bowls during an 18-year, Hall of Fame career in the NFL.

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I knew it, I knew it , I knew it. Peyton was gonna be #2. That leaves #1 a mystery. Well played Peay.

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#1,132
#1,132
MemphisVol77 said:
Am I a guru or has #1 become slightly anticlimactic?

#10 - #2 has been so suspenseful for me just wondering what order they'd be ranked, I didn't realize I'd know what the last present is by Christmas Eve.

Edit: Don't bother asking guys. I'm not gonna ruin the countdown for @peaygolf .
Click to expand...
billy-madison-comedy.gif
 
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#1,133
#1,133
peaygolf said:
7 days………

#7 - Bob Suffridge

Suffridge was a local kid from Central HS before becoming the best offensive lineman in UT history. “He was so quick, he could get around you before you got off your haunches,” said one former teammate. He was the archetype of the Tennessee single-wing pulling guard and played defensive guard, averaging over 50 minutes a game. From 1938-1940, Suffridge never lost a regular season game, and was a standout on a defense that held all ten team scoreless in 1939. Neyland said of Suffridge; “Suff had the quickest and most powerful defensive charge of any lineman I’ve ever seen. I have never seen a lineman play his position so well. He never made a bad play.” As a special teams player, his quickness seemed almost impossible. Suffridge once blocked the same point-after-touchdown three times, being called twice for off sides when actually he wasn’t. Suffridge’s greatness was recognized nationally, being name All-American for three straight seasons……the only Vols player so honored. Suffridge was a 6th round pick by the Steelers in 1941, and played for the Eagles in 1941 and 1945. His career was interrupted due to WW2, but he was an All-Pro in ‘41. Suffridge was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1961, and was named to the All-Time All American team in 1969.

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This is a very good read for those nerdy history / literary types. Peay , I believe you will particularly enjoy it if you have never read this before .

Football Great Bob Suffridge Wanders Through the End Zone of Life
 
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#1,140
#1,140
Remember folks it can't be John Ward at #1. In Peay's first post, he stated he was compiling a list of the greatest 250 players. However, John has his place in Vol history. How many of these players' names on the list prior to major television would we recognize without John and Bill?
 
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#1,141
#1,141
LynchburgTNVol said:
Remember folks it can't be John Ward at #1. In Peay's first post, he stated he was compiling a list of the greatest 250 players. However, John has his place in Vol history. How many of these players' names on the list prior to major television would we recognize without John and Bill?
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My first thought when I saw Manning at #2 is Fulmer since I don't think he's been mentioned in the list.
But then I recall that Peay is basing his list off player achievements, so not sure that coaching us to a national title fits in the criteria here even though he was a player first.
 
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#1,142
#1,142
IndianaVol said:
My first thought when I saw Manning at #2 is Fulmer since I don't think he's been mentioned in the list.
But then I recall that Peay is basing his list off player achievements, so not sure that coaching us to a national title fits in the criteria here even though he was a player first.
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#1,143
#1,143
so I have just went back thru the entire thread and it is still possible that I overlooked it but.....the 2 omissions from the list that COULD be questionable are....drum roll please....Bobby Majors & Lester McClain
 
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#1,144
#1,144
Smokey X said:
so I have just went back thru the entire thread and it is still possible that I overlooked it but.....the 2 omissions from the list that COULD be questionable are....drum roll please....Bobby Majors & Lester McClain
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Lester is #140


I had Bobby on my list.......If I missed him I'm going to be pissed off.:mad:
 
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#1,147
#1,147
IndianaVol said:
My first thought when I saw Manning at #2 is Fulmer since I don't think he's been mentioned in the list.
But then I recall that Peay is basing his list off player achievements, so not sure that coaching us to a national title fits in the criteria here even though he was a player first.
Click to expand...
Fulmer won the championship as a coach. This list is based on the player's career as a player so I don't believe Fulmer would be in the top 250.
 
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