Countdown to Kickoff vs South Carolina

He coached me at UTs all sports camp in the early 70’s. Wish I had known the significance of who he was at the time.
I was at the Bill Battle sports camp two years in a roll. I loved Coach Cafego. I remember what was written on his office wall and use it today with employees and my kids.” Better to be an hour early than a minute late” of course our young people today are so self absorbed they can’t understand the meaning behind this statement. What a great time in my life spending three weeks on campus at Gibbs hall and using the excellent facilities at UT. I was there when they delivered the first Nautilus machines...state of the art at that time. Go Vols!
 
I was at the Bill Battle sports camp two years in a roll. I loved Coach Cafego. I remember what was written on his office wall and use it today with employees and my kids.” Better to be an hour early than a minute late” of course our young people today are so self absorbed they can’t understand the meaning behind this statement. What a great time in my life spending three weeks on campus at Gibbs hall and using the excellent facilities at UT. I was there when they delivered the first Nautilus machines...state of the art at that time. Go Vols!
Do you still have the paddle? Do you remember the piranhas in Gibbs Hall?
 
59 days.....

Carl Johnson, #59, came to Knoxville from Florida as a center, moved to defensive tackle, and then played his last two seasons at defensive end. He lettered in ‘70,’71, and ‘72 and collected 8 sacks, 7 fumble recoveries, and 219 total tackles. His only career touchdown took place in 1971 vs Kentucky. UT was clinging to a 14-7 lead, with Kentucky about to score, when he “intercepted” a pitch from Bernie Scruggs, and returned it 87 yards for a touchdown......and the 21-7 victory.

Johnson vs Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl
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58 days.........

Ray Nettles, #58, played behind Hacksaw Reynolds for a couple years, but when his number was called upon, he was a beast. In the ‘70 and ‘71 seasons, Nettles totaled 9.5 tackles for loss and 6 forced fumbles and 300 total tackles. He saved some of his best games for the biggest games. 22 tackles vs Bama in ‘71 and 12 tackles and a sack vs Air Force in the Sugar Bowl. Nettles was named All-SEC in 1971 and was drafted by the Dolphins. Instead of sitting behind a future Hall of Famer, he went to the CFL. There, he a 5X All-Star and became a CFL Hall of Famer.

His story is one of highest of the highs and lowest of the lows. A lifetime of fighting addiction was finally addressed, and his life became a story of redemption. Unfortunately, cancer took over, and that could not be overcome. Nettles passed away in 2009. A true fighter to the end...........
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57 days.........

Ron McCartney, #57, came to Knoxville from Charleston, WV. His first year, in 1973, he switched around from LB and DE and made a name for himself as a smart, hard nosed player. McCartney became a starter as a junior and became known for making big plays. He was UT’s defensive MVP in the ‘74 Liberty Bowl and was named All-SEC defense end in 1975. In ‘75, he had 118 tackles and 10 sacks. McCartney finished his career with 266 tackles and 16.5 sacks. He was a 2nd round pick by the Rams. In ‘77 he was picked up by Atlanta and played through 1979 and had 4 career fumble recoveries for the Falcons.
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56 days........

Johnny Majors called Chuck Smith, #59, “the best defensive end I ever coached.” Smith came to Knoxville in 1990 from the JUCO ranks, and quickly made a name for himself. After 4.5 sacks and 47 total tackles as a junior, Smith only got better as a senior. With 64 tackles and 9 sacks, he was named All-SEC in ‘91 and was the MVP at the Senior Bowl. The Atlanta Falcons drafted him in the 2nd round and he made the All-Pro team in 1997 and was a captain of the ‘98 Super Bowl team.

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55 days........

An injury in the ‘85 Wake Forrest game, forced freshmen LB, #55 Bryan Kimbro, into the starting lineup. At the end of the season, Kimbro had made Freshman All-American honors and helped the Sugar Vols to a 9-1-2 record. For the next three years, he battled injuries, but always fought his way back on the field and his starting position. Kimbro would become a fan favorite for his versatility and attitude. Always steady, he finished his career with 126 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries.
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54 days........

Dale Jones, #54, is one of the most popular and decorated players in Tennessee history. A freshman and sophomore All-American, and a 2X All-SEC linebacker, Jones was a leader on and off the field. He is responsible for 349 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and 11 forced fumbles. His interception to seal the ‘85 Alabama win lives in UT lore.
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53 Days! (53 is my old aircraft designation from piloting CH53s in the USMC, so I am happy to do this one)

Glen Streno 1982

Center Glenn Streno is the only All-SEC selection to have worn the No. 53 from Tennessee.

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53 days.......

Greg Jones, #53, came to Knoxville after helping Tennessee High, in Bristol, to 2 state championships. In 1975, Jones made a name for himself with 99 tackles and 2 interceptions from his linebacker position. In his junior year, Jones had 25 tackles vs Bama and 20 vs Kentucky. His senior season, he was named captain and finished off his career with 25 tackles (19 solo), an interception, a fumble recovery, and a pass break up vs Vandy. For his career, Jones collected 377 tackles, 7 fumble recoveries, and 6 interceptions.
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I’m on vacation and on EST, so I’m doing it an hour early.........:)

52 days........

It takes a special athlete to be an All-American, but it takes a very special man, to be Jackie Walker. Walker, #52, overcame many obstacles in his life (read up on his life if you are not aware.) During his last two seasons, Walker had 258 tackles, 6 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries. But was was even more impressive was his 11 career interceptions, 281 return yards, and 5 Touchdowns.......as a linebacker. Walker made All-SEC and All-American in ‘70 and ‘71.

Retired numbers are rare, but #52 should strongly be considered. Not only was Jackie Walker an amazing football player, he was an even better man!
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51 days.....

Reggie McKenzie, #51, played from ‘81-‘84 and was a solid contributor, alongside one of the best linebacker corps in UT history. He totaled 174 career tackles and was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, alongside his brother. McKenzie would be drafted by the Raiders and go on to an successful career as an NFL executive.

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50 days.......

Andy Spiva, #50, is one of the most under appreciated Vols ever. Spiva was an All-SEC linebacker in ‘75 and ‘76. He has 3 of the top 10 seasons for most tackles in UT history, including a program record of 194 in 1976. Spiva is also the leading career tackler in SEC history, with 547. Spiva was a 5th round pick by the Cardinals in 1977, but was cut and picked up by the Falcons. He had a solid rookie season and was going to be the starter in ‘78, but missed the regular season due to an injury. In April of 1979, Spiva lost control of his car and died in the accident.
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49 days.......

Rudy Klarer, #49, was a reserve guard in 1941 and a starter for the ‘42 team that played Tulsa in the Sugar Bowl. Immediately after the win over Tulsa, Klarer left for Officers Training at Fort Benning. Klarer would be stationed in Germany during WWII and was killed in action on February 6, 1945. He was awarded with the “Silver Star” posthumously. His #49 is now retired at UT.

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49 days.......

Rudy Klarer, #49, was a reserve guard in 1941 and a starter for the ‘42 team that played Tulsa in the Sugar Bowl. Immediately after the win over Tulsa, Klarer left for Officers Training at Fort Benning. Klarer would be stationed in Germany during WWII and was killed in action on February 6, 1945. He was awarded with the “Silver Star” posthumously. His #49 is now retired at UT.

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True Volunteer spirit. Tfp
 
48 days........

From 1970-1972, Danny Jeffries, #48, was a defensive back that was a special teams standout and a solid reserve. Jeffries finished his career with 120 tackles and 5 interceptions. One interception was returned 83 yards for a TD in the ‘71 game vs South Carolina.
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47 days........

Lemont Holt Jeffers, #47, came to Knoxville in 1978. Versatility is what he was known for during his four years. He played some defensive back, linebacker, and finally defensive end. At 6’4” and 190 lbs, he was lite for an end, but he was quick and smart. As a senior (‘81) captain, Jeffers finished with 133 tackles, including 24 vs Auburn. For his career, he had 246 tackles and 5 interceptions. He was drafted by the Redskins, played for the Showboats in the USFL, but made his mark in the CFL.
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46 days......

Raynoch Thompson, #46, started every game that he played at UT (‘97-‘99). A dominant linebacker, he had 243 career tackles, 22 TFL, and 4 interceptions. During his All-American season on 1999, he had 87 tackles and 3 picks. He was a second round pick by the Arizona Cardinals and played 5 seasons.

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45 days.........

It will always be Johnny’s number, but Carl Zander wore #45 proudly. Zander started only one game as a freshman in ‘81, but made 9 tackles vs Vandy and 14 vs Wisconsin in the Bowl game. He battled injuries as a sophomore, but exploded as a junior with 129 tackles, including 20 vs Pitt and 16 vs Rutgers. As a senior, he made All-SEC and recorded 167 tackles, including two, 20 tackle games. His 167 tackles in ‘84 stands as the 5th most in a single season in school history.
Zander was drafted in round 2 by the Bengals and had a solid NFL career, starting 94 games, including Super Bowl XXIII.
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44 days.......

Chuck Webb and Bobby Majors. Two greats, but today, I’m going with Alvin Toles, #44. Toles was part of the ‘81 class that was one of the best in UT history. He started out as a fullback, and ran for 355 yrds in his first two seasons. After Majors asked him to linebacker, Toles flourished. As a junior, he led the Vols with 135 tackles and had 8 TFL. In the Citrus Bowl vs Maryland, he stopped a back at the one, had a fumble recovery, and an interception in the victory. As a senior, Toles broke his ankle early in the Auburn game, but still managed 43 tackles and a fumble recovery in his four games. He was a first round pick by the Saints and played four years, but suffered a career ending knee injury in ‘88.

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43 days..........

Switching between tailback and fullback made things difficult for #43, Mike Gayles, but he made the most of his opportunities. Gayles filled in for Stanley Morgan when he was injured and had a couple of 100 yard games (106 vs Maryland and 105 vs Colorado St,) Gayles finished his career (‘74-‘76) with 1,362 yards and 10 TDs..
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42 days........

Roland Poles, #42, was a 240 lbs fullback out of New York, from 1987-1990. Primarily a blocking back, Poles led the way for Reggie Cobb, Chuck Webb, and Tony Thompson during his time in Knoxville. When called upon, he could run with power and some shiftiness. He scored 4 career touchdowns and rushed for 425 yrds, along with 226 receiving yards. Poles was a 10th round pick by the Chargers.
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41 days.......

Reggie Ingram ,#41, was a highly recruited LB out of Memphis and lettered from ‘90-‘93. As a freshman, he returned his only career interception 22 yrds for a touchdown vs Florida. During his breakout junior year, Ingram collected 85 tackles and 1.5 sacks, including 14 vs Alabama. Ingram finished with 190 tackles in 42 career games.
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