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

#778
#778
44 days……

#44 - Jamal Lewis

Big, powerful, speed. Three words that describe Lewis. As a freshman in 1997, Lewis burst onto the field and established himself as a star, rushing for 1,364 yards and 7 TDs. His epic game vs Georgia will long be remembered as he rushed for 234 yards in the victory. He was named SEC freshman of the year and was chosen 2nd team All-SEC. As a sophomore, Lewis was well on his way to an even better season, but an injury in the fifth game cut his season short. He still finished with 497 yards rushing in the four full games he played. He returned in 1999, but still was aggravated with injuries and split time with Travis Henry. He still managed 816 yards and lead the Vols in rushing. He was named 2nd team All-SEC, even though he wasn’t 100%. After his junior season, Lewis decided to forgo his senior season and was the 5th pick in the NFL draft by the Ravens. In his 27 games as a Vol, Lewis rushed for 2,677 yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, had 13 career 100 yard games, and caught 39 passes for 475 yards and 4 TDs. He could easily be ranked higher on my list, but injuries, splitting carries, and never being a 1st team all conference player hurts. I’d still take him as my running back any day!

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#779
#779
peaygolf said:
44 days……

#44 - Jamal Lewis

Big, powerful, speed. Three words that describe Lewis. As a freshman in 1997, Lewis burst onto the field and established himself as a star, rushing for 1,364 yards and 7 TDs. His epic game vs Georgia will long be remembered as he rushed for 234 yards in the victory. He was named SEC freshman of the year and was chosen 2nd team All-SEC. As a sophomore, Lewis was well on his way to an even better season, but an injury in the fifth game cut his season short. He still finished with 497 yards rushing in the four full games he played. He returned in 1999, but still was aggravated with injuries and split time with Travis Henry. He still managed 816 yards and lead the Vols in rushing. He was named 2nd team All-SEC, even though he wasn’t 100%. After his junior season, Lewis decided to forgo his senior season and was the 5th pick in the NFL draft by the Ravens. In his 27 games as a Vol, Lewis rushed for 2,677 yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, had 13 career 100 yard games, and caught 39 passes for 475 yards and 4 TDs. He could easily be ranked higher on my list, but injuries, splitting carries, and never being a 1st team all conference player hurts. I’d still take him as my running back any day!

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I never got to see Lewis play in college obviously, i was born in 93. I remember him being a wrecking ball in madden 2005, That was when I first heard of Lewis and seen that he played at Tennessee. Crazy to think what could’ve been if not for injuries.
 
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#782
#782
43 days.............

#43 - Willie Gault

After only catching 4 passes as a freshman in 1979, Gault emerged as a star in 1980. He caught 14 passes for 240 yards and 1 TD, but it was his ability as a return specialist that scared teams the most. He set a school record with 3 KO returns for TD's (Kentucky, Ole Miss and Pitt.) As a junior, he caught 22 passes for 479 yards, averaging 21.8 yards a reception. He added to his reputation as a dangerous return man, with 28 kickoff returns for 606 yards and 31 punt returns for 381 yards, and returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown in Tennessee's 28-20 win over Ole Miss. He had 268 all-purpose yards against Vanderbilt (217 receiving, 51 punt return), caught a 75-yard touchdown pass in the Vols' loss to Alabama, and in Tennessee's 28-21 win over Wisconsin in the Garden State Bowl, returned a kickoff 87 yards for the Vols' first touchdown of the game. As a senior in 1982, he finished the season as Tennessee's all-time career leader with 2,513 total return yards, 1,854 kickoff return yards and four kickoff return touchdowns. His 4,035 all-purpose yards are the second-most in school history and caught a pair of touchdown passes against Auburn, including a season-long 78-yard score. Returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown in the Vols' 24-24 tie against LSU and had a 52-yard touchdown catch in Tennessee's 35-28 triumph over Alabama, helping the Vols break an 11-year losing streak to the Tide. Gault caught 50 passes for 668 yards and 4 TDs in 1982, where he was named 1st Team All-SEC and 1st Team All-American for his amazing play. He was also and 11X All-American in Track & Field. After his career, he was a 1st round pick by the Bears in 1983 and helped the Bears to the '85 Super Bowl win. Gault may be the most dynamic player in UT history due to his blazing speed and ability to break a game wide open at any moment.

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#787
#787
Tin Man said:
If the Fates have not woven you a short strand, you will see more of this century than me and seasons of Volunteer football beyond my passing.
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I was listening to an interview with Shelby Foote as I read that, my friend. That is a truly a brilliant turn of phrase and reads much as something that would have flowed from his dip pen.

My regards.
 
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#791
#791
peaygolf said:
43 days.............

#43 - Willie Gault

After only catching 4 passes as a freshman in 1979, Gault emerged as a star in 1980. He caught 14 passes for 240 yards and 1 TD, but it was his ability as a return specialist that scared teams the most. He set a school record with 3 KO returns for TD's (Kentucky, Ole Miss and Pitt.) As a junior, he caught 22 passes for 479 yards, averaging 21.8 yards a reception. He added to his reputation as a dangerous return man, with 28 kickoff returns for 606 yards and 31 punt returns for 381 yards, and returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown in Tennessee's 28-20 win over Ole Miss. He had 268 all-purpose yards against Vanderbilt (217 receiving, 51 punt return), caught a 75-yard touchdown pass in the Vols' loss to Alabama, and in Tennessee's 28-21 win over Wisconsin in the Garden State Bowl, returned a kickoff 87 yards for the Vols' first touchdown of the game. As a senior in 1982, he finished the season as Tennessee's all-time career leader with 2,513 total return yards, 1,854 kickoff return yards and four kickoff return touchdowns. His 4,035 all-purpose yards are the second-most in school history and caught a pair of touchdown passes against Auburn, including a season-long 78-yard score. Returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown in the Vols' 24-24 tie against LSU and had a 52-yard touchdown catch in Tennessee's 35-28 triumph over Alabama, helping the Vols break an 11-year losing streak to the Tide. Gault caught 50 passes for 668 yards and 4 TDs in 1982, where he was named 1st Team All-SEC and 1st Team All-American for his amazing play. He was also and 11X All-American in Track & Field. After his career, he was a 1st round pick by the Bears in 1983 and helped the Bears to the '85 Super Bowl win. Gault may be the most dynamic player in UT history due to his blazing speed and ability to break a game wide open at any moment.

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One of my favorite Vols. Willie's kick return ability led to this memorable John Ward quote: "Willie Gault, ladies and gentlemen, is running all the way to the State Capitol." Absolutely classic!
 
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#792
#792
42 days……

#42 - Bob Foxx

“Double X” is regarded as one of the greatest athletes to ever come out of Knoxville. He was a three sport star at UT, and even played minor league baseball after his time at Tennessee. Foxx was a wingback and tailback for General Neyland from 1938-1940, three years in which the Vols had undefeated regular seasons. Foxx was a gifted runner, blocker, punter, and defensive back. He scored over 40 points each season in 1939 and 1940, but it was his play on defense that he was known for. He and the Vols only gave up 75 points in his three years. Foxx was selected as 1st team All-SEC in both 1939 and 1940 and was named SEC Player of the Year in 1939. He was also named All -American for his excellent season in 1940. Foxx later became an exceptional golfer, was a color analyst for Vols radio, and was named Knoxville’s greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th century.

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#793
#793
peaygolf said:
42 days……

#42 - Bob Foxx

“Double X” is regarded as one of the greatest athletes to ever come out of Knoxville. He was a three sport star at UT, and even played minor league baseball after his time at Tennessee. Foxx was a wingback and tailback for General Neyland from 1938-1940, three years in which the Vols had undefeated regular seasons. Foxx was a gifted runner, blocker, punter, and defensive back. He scored over 40 points each season in 1939 and 1940, but it was his play on defense that he was known for. He and the Vols only gave up 75 points in his three years. Foxx was selected as 1st team All-SEC in both 1939 and 1940 and was named SEC Player of the Year in 1939. He was also named All -American for his excellent season in 1940. Foxx later became an exceptional golfer, was a color analyst for Vols radio, and was named Knoxville’s greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th century.

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I hope targeting was called on that play!
 
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#798
#798
41 days……

#41 - Peerless Price

Price played from 1995-1998, and although he was never 1st team all-conference or an all american, his place in the all time list is cemented. He played along side two of the greatest receivers in school history, but was still able to become an all time great himself. As a freshman, he only caught 6 passes, but you could see the potential. In 1996, he caught 32 passes for 609 yards and 3 touchdowns. He had a huge game vs UF, and his stock continued to rise. In 1997, he became a starter and was the #2 receiver. He helped the Vols to an SEC Championship and caught 48 passes for 698 yards and 6 TDs. As a senior, Price finally got his chance to be “the guy.” Price caught 91 passes for 920 yards and 10 TDs. His 100 yard KO return sparked the Vols in the win over Alabama, and had four 100 yards games during the season. His 41 yard touchdown in the SEC Championship game helped seal the win over Mississippi St, and his electric performance in the Fiesta Bowl earned him MVP honors and basically won the National Championship for UT. He finished that game with 199 yards and an epic touchdown. He finished his career with 147 receptions for 2,298 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was a 2nd team All-SEC selection in 1998 and a 2nd round pick by the Bills in ‘99. He might not have the “accolades,” but Peerless is 100% a legend!

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