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

170 days.......

#170 - Todd Kelly, SR

Kelly arrived in Knoxville in 1989 and he played in eight games during his freshman year as a backup to veteran Marion Hobby, picking up 6 tackles and a sack. Kelly remained on the second unit during the 1990 season, picking up 21 tackles (14 solo) and a team-leading 5 sacks. He had two sacks in Tennessee's 45-3 win over Florida, and forced a fumble that led to a score in the Vols' 26-26 tie against Auburn.

During his junior year in 1991, Kelly registered 23 tackles (14 solo) and 5.5 sacks (3rd-highest on the team), playing mostly as a backup to senior Chuck Smith. He had three tackles and a sack in the Vols' 30-21 win over Auburn, and registered four tackles and a sack in the team's loss to Florida. He had a sack and forced a fumble in Tennessee's 25-24 loss to Alabama. He tallied four tackles and a sack in the 1992 Fiesta Bowl.

Kelly's first career start came in Tennessee's 1992 season-opening win over Southwest Louisiana, in which he registered three tackles and a sack. He registered 2.5 sacks in Tennessee's 34-31 win over Georgia and led a rushing defense that held Florida to just 68 yards on the ground in the Vols' 31-14 win over the Gators. He recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter of Tennessee's 17-10 loss to Alabama, and registered a sack in Tennessee's 38-23 win over Boston College in the 1993 Hall of Fame Bowl. He finished the season with 38 tackles (28 solo), a team-leading 11 sacks, and a team-leading 10 tackles-for-loss. He was named 1st Team All-SEC and 2nd Team All-American at the end of the '92 season.

During his four years at Tennessee, Kelly registered 88 tackles (58 solo), 22.5 sacks, 14 tackles-for-loss, and two forced fumbles. He is fifth on the school's career sacks list, trailing only Derek Barnett, Reggie White, Leonard Little, and Jonathan Brown. In October 2014, Kelly was named Tennessee's selection for that year's SEC Football Legends Class. Kelly was a 1st round pick in the '93 draft by the 49ers and won a Super Bowl.

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170 days.......

#170 - Todd Kelly, SR

Kelly arrived in Knoxville in 1889 and he played in eight games during his freshman year as a backup to veteran Marion Hobby, picking up 6 tackles and a sack. Kelly remained on the second unit during the 1990 season, picking up 21 tackles (14 solo) and a team-leading 5 sacks. He had two sacks in Tennessee's 45-3 win over Florida, and forced a fumble that led to a score in the Vols' 26-26 tie against Auburn.

Dang!
He musta played more years than Fulky!!!
 
169 days..........

#169 - Thomas Woods

As a red-shirt freshman in 1986, Woods led the SEC in punt returns with 11.3 yards per return and caught 6 passes for 82 yards and was named to the All-SEC Freshman team as a PR. In '87 he had an average of 14.2 yards per return and stepped up with 26 receptions for 335 yards. His break-out season was in '88, when he set a UT single season record with 58 receptions, gaining 689 yards and 5 TDs. He had over 100 yards vs Alabama and returned a punt 82 yards for a TD vs Washington St. He finished 2nd in the SEC in punt returns and was named 2nd Team All-SEC. As a senior captain, Woods helped the Vols to an 11-1 record and was again named 2nd Team All-SEC. His numbers were down as a senior, only because of the run-heavy team Major's used that season. He finished with 34 receptions for 511 yards and 2 TDs. When Woods left UT, he was the leader in career receptions and yardage with 124 catches for 1,617 yards and 7 TDs. He also finished with am 11.0 punt return average. Woods was drafted by the Miami Dolphins and played two seasons for Barcelona in the World League of American Football.

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168 days……

#168 - Chris Mims

Mims arrived in 1990 as a JUCO recruit and had to miss the first three games. Once he got on the field, everyone realized how special he was as a player. He only started five games, but helped UT defend their SEC championship. He finished the season with 41 tackles, 3.5 sacks , and 8 PBUs as a defensive end. His senior year, Mims recorded 49 tackles, 6 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was named 1st Team All-SEC and was drafted in the first round by the San Diego Chargers and helped them reach the Super Bowl. He only played in 19 games, But he was a beast on the DLine, and is definitely one of the best DEnds UT has had. Mims had a successful NFL career until retiring in 2000. Unfortunately, Mims passed away suddenly in 2008.
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167 days……

#167 - Terry McDaniel

McDaniel signed in 1983 as a WR and was redshirted his first season. In ‘84, he played mostly special teams, rushing once for 19 yards and making 3 tackles. In ‘85, he was moved to cornerback, where his play significantly increased. He had 18 tackles and recovered a fumble and had an interception vs Wake Forrest and made a circus pick in the Sugar Bowl win over Miami. By ‘86, he was in the starting lineup, making 13 tackles vs Auburn and had an interception in each of the last three games. He finished with 68 tackles for the season. As a senior, McDaniel had 57 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 8 PBUs and was named 1st Team All-SEC and 2nd Team All-American. McDaniel was also a remarkable Track star and was known for chasing down ball carriers and never getting beat deep. McDaniel was the 9th pick in the ‘88 draft by the Raiders and was a 4X All-Pro.
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166 days.............

#166 - Bob Dobelstein

Bob Dobelstein was a road grader at right guard during the war years, opening holes for great backs like Walter Slater and Billy Bevis. Dobelstein was named 1st team All-American as a junior in 1944. It was also the year he served as captain of the team, the only junior in UT history to do so until the 2003 season. He was also 1st Team All-SEC in 1944 and 1945.

Tennessee did not field a team in 1943 because of World War II. However, Dobelstein helped lead the Vols to a 7-1-1 record in 1944, completing an unbeaten regular season before losing to Southern California in the Rose Bowl. Tennessee went 8-1 the following year to set the table for an SEC title run in 1945. He was a 4th round pick by the Chicago Cardinals in 1945 and played for the New York Giants for three years and the Los Angeles Dons for one season.

#63
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165 days…..

#165 - Bill Bates

The homegrown Bates was a four year letterman from 1979-1982. Bates became a starter in his second game during his freshman year and became a fan favorite immediately. As a freshman in 1979, he registered 55 tackles (35 solo), 3 sacks, an interception, and 2 fumble recoveries. He was named 1st Team Freshman All-American. In 1980, he had 43 tackles (24 solo), including 3 tackles for a loss, to go along with an interception and 2 fumble recoveries. In 1981, he tallied 71 tackles (48 solo) and a team-leading 4 interceptions. During his senior year in 1982, he registered 86 tackles (61 solo), including 2 tackles for a loss, and 3 interceptions. He was one of the hardest hitters and best tacklers UT has ever known. Bates was named 2nd Team All-SEC in 1981 and 1982. He was undrafted , but had a stellar NFL career with the Cowboys, making 1Pro Bowl and winning 3 Super Bowls.
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165 days…..

#165 - Bill Bates

The homegrown Bates was a four year letterman from 1979-1982. Bates became a starter in his second game during his freshman year and became a fan favorite immediately. As a freshman in 1979, he registered 55 tackles (35 solo), 3 sacks, an interception, and 2 fumble recoveries. He was named 1st Team Freshman All-American. In 1980, he had 43 tackles (24 solo), including 3 tackles for a loss, to go along with an interception and 2 fumble recoveries. In 1981, he tallied 71 tackles (48 solo) and a team-leading 4 interceptions. During his senior year in 1982, he registered 86 tackles (61 solo), including 2 tackles for a loss, and 3 interceptions. He was one of the hardest hitters and best tacklers UT has ever known. Bates was named 2nd Team All-SEC in 1981 and 1982. He was undrafted , but had a stellar NFL career with the Cowboys, making 1Pro Bowl and winning 3 Super Bowls.
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remained a favorite despite cowboy days
 
166 days.............

#166 - Bob Dobelstein

Bob Dobelstein was a road grader at right guard during the war years, opening holes for great backs like Walter Slater and Billy Bevis. Dobelstein was named 1st team All-American as a junior in 1944. It was also the year he served as captain of the team, the only junior in UT history to do so until the 2003 season. He was also 1st Team All-SEC in 1944 and 1945.

Tennessee did not field a team in 1943 because of World War II. However, Dobelstein helped lead the Vols to a 7-1-1 record in 1944, completing an unbeaten regular season before losing to Southern California in the Rose Bowl. Tennessee went 8-1 the following year to set the table for an SEC title run in 1945. He was a 4th round pick by the Chicago Cardinals in 1945 and played for the New York Giants for three years and the Los Angeles Dons for one season.

#63
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Will be 100 years old in October!
 
164 days…….

#164 - Hal Wantland

Wantland, a Columbia, TN native, played from 1963-1965. Greatness isn’t always proven by awards and accolades, it’s often shown through desire and adaptability. Wantland played quarterback, running back, and wing back during his career in Knoxville. In ‘63, he rushed for 183 yards and 3 TDs, while passing for 131 yards and 4 touchdowns. In 1964, he threw for another 131 yards, rushed for 222 yards and 4 TDs, and added another weapon, catching 21 passes for 284 yards and 1 TD. As a senior captain, Wantland led UT to an 8-1-2 record. He played mostly at wing back, catching 21 passes for 305 yards and 4 TDs. He was also a great blocker, winning the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, voted on by league coaches in 1965. He was a 16th round pick by Washington in 1966, and played one season with the Miami Dolphins.
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164 days…….

#164 - Hal Wantland

Wantland, a Columbia, TN native, played from 1963-1965. Greatness isn’t always proven by awards and accolades, it’s often shown through desire and adaptability. Wantland played quarterback, running back, and wing back during his career in Knoxville. In ‘63, he rushed for 183 yards and 3 TDs, while passing for 131 yards and 4 touchdowns. In 1964, he threw for another 131 yards, rushed for 222 yards and 4 TDs, and added another weapon, catching 21 passes for 284 yards and 1 TD. As a senior captain, Wantland led UT to an 8-1-2 record. He played mostly at wing back, catching 21 passes for 305 yards and 4 TDs. He was also a great blocker, winning the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, voted on by league coaches in 1965. He was a 16th round pick by Washington in 1966, and played one season with the Miami Dolphins.
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my first ua-UT
watched from lower part of section R
 
164 days…….

#164 - Hal Wantland

Wantland, a Columbia, TN native, played from 1963-1965. Greatness isn’t always proven by awards and accolades, it’s often shown through desire and adaptability. Wantland played quarterback, running back, and wing back during his career in Knoxville. In ‘63, he rushed for 183 yards and 3 TDs, while passing for 131 yards and 4 touchdowns. In 1964, he threw for another 131 yards, rushed for 222 yards and 4 TDs, and added another weapon, catching 21 passes for 284 yards and 1 TD. As a senior captain, Wantland led UT to an 8-1-2 record. He played mostly at wing back, catching 21 passes for 305 yards and 4 TDs. He was also a great blocker, winning the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, voted on by league coaches in 1965. He was a 16th round pick by Washington in 1966, and played one season with the Miami Dolphins.
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didnt he line up at TB when we ran the single wing?
and who was the last vol to start at TB in the single wing?
 
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163 days...........

#163 - Scott Galyon

Galyon was a four-year letterman from 1992-1995 from Seymour, TN. Galyon was a backup at Middle Linebacker his first season in Knoxville, playing mainly on special teams and collected 14 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries. His fumble recovery on the opening kickoff vs Georgia keyed the upset victory. In 1993, he cracked the starting lineup vs Alabama, and started the rest of the season, registering 54 tackles. His interception late in the Arkansas game stooped the Hogs comeback bid. In '94, he had 12 tackles in first start at Right Linebacker vs Washington St and led the Vols with 93 tackles for the season, while collecting 4 fumble recoveries. As a senior, Galyon again led UT with 91 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. He also had 2 interceptions and was named 2nd team All-SEC. For his career, Galyon had 252 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 8 fumble recoveries, and 4 interceptions. He was a 6th round pick in 1996 and played 7 seasons for the Giants and the Dolphins.

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163 days...........

#163 - Scott Galyon

Galyon was a four-year letterman from 1992-1995 from Seymour, TN. Galyon was a backup at Middle Linebacker his first season in Knoxville, playing mainly on special teams and collected 14 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries. His fumble recovery on the opening kickoff vs Georgia keyed the upset victory. In 1993, he cracked the starting lineup vs Alabama, and started the rest of the season, registering 54 tackles. His interception late in the Arkansas game stooped the Hogs comeback bid. In '94, he had 12 tackles in first start at Right Linebacker vs Washington St and led the Vols with 93 tackles for the season, while collecting 4 fumble recoveries. As a senior, Galyon again led UT with 91 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. He also had 2 interceptions and was named 2nd team All-SEC. For his career, Galyon had 252 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 8 fumble recoveries, and 4 interceptions. He was a 6th round pick in 1996 and played 7 seasons for the Giants and the Dolphins.

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In my opinion, one of those under-rated "blue collar", work a day, type guys that built upon what it meant to be a Vol and put the program in a place to win consistently.
 
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.


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