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

97 days……

#97 - Ken DeLong

Another great player from the 1967-1969 seasons, DeLong comes from a distinguished family line that you will here about later. DeLong was a fierce blocker, had great hands, and ran precise routes from his tight end position. In 1967, DeLong caught 20 passes for 216 yards and 3 TDs, helping the Vols to the SEC Championship and a share of the NC. In 1968, Ken upped his game with the help of a great year by Bubba Wyche, leading the Vols with 34 receptions for 393 yards and 3 TDs. He was named 1st team All-SEC and helped UT to a berth in the Cotton Bowl. He will always be remembered for his 2pt conversation with no time on the clock to secure a tie with UGA. As a senior, he caught 22 more passes for 235 yards and 3 TDs. Again, he was named 1st team All-SEC, leading to Vols to a Gator Bowl invitation. For his career, he had 76 receptions for 844 yards and 9 TDs. Those might seem like pedestrian numbers today, but the way the forward pass was used in the late 60’s, those were huge from the TE position. DeLong is regarded as one of the top 2 TEs in UT history. Ken was a 15th round pick by the Cowboys in the 1970 draft…

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96 days…….

#96 - Jauan Jennings

A converted QB, Jennings became a fan favorite due to his toughness, emotional leadership, and his play on the field. Although he never made an All-Conference team, there is no doubt that Jennings is one of the best to play WR in Knoxville. The “Hail Mary” vs Georgia and the 67 yard TD vs Florida in 2016 instantly make him one of the most beloved players to ever wear Orange. In his 30 career starts, he had an interception, a rushing touchdown, 2 passing TDs, and 18 receiving TDs. He is 5th all time in receptions with 146 and 4th in yards with 2,153. He was a 7th round steal in the 2020 draft by the 49ers, where he continues his aggressive play today.

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96 days…….

#96 - Jauan Jennings

A converted QB, Jennings became a fan favorite due to his toughness, emotional leadership, and his play on the field. Although he never made an All-Conference team, there is no doubt that Jennings is one of the best to play WR in Knoxville. The “Hail Mary” vs Georgia and the 67 yard TD vs Florida in 2016 instantly make him one of the most beloved players to ever wear Orange. In his 30 career starts, he had an interception, a rushing touchdown, 2 passing TDs, and 18 receiving TDs. He is 5th all time in receptions with 146 and 4th in yards with 2,153. He was a 7th round steal in the 2020 draft by the 49ers, where he continues his aggressive play today.

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Love this guy! He is special.
 
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95 days…..

#95 - Ricky Townsend

Ricky, a former quarterback and linebacker turned kicker, tried kicking barefoot prior to his sophomore season, and it was a great decision. In 1972, he was a perfect 31-31 on extra points and as 13-19 on FGs. He became the first place-kicker in UT history to be named 1st team All-American. His 60 points in 1973 led the Vols in scoring. He was 27-29 on PATs and was 11-21 on FGs. He also handled kickoff duties, booting long bombs consistently into the end zone. Again, Townsend was named 1st team All-American. As a senior, he went back to wearing a shoe, and his production slipped. He made 14-17 PATs and 10-21 FGs. If you look at his numbers…..72-77 PATs and 33-61 FGs….they look average at best today. One must remember how inaccurate kickers were at that time. His numbers are actually amazing based on the era. He’s also the only Vols kicker to be named 1st Team All-American 2X, and one of only a handful at any position. After his UT career ended, he played one season for the Memphis Southmen in the WFL.

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95 days…..

#95 - Ricky Townsend

Ricky, a former quarterback and linebacker turned kicker, tried kicking barefoot prior to his sophomore season, and it was a great decision. In 1972, he was a perfect 31-31 on extra points and as 13-19 on FGs. He became the first place-kicker in UT history to be named 1st team All-American. His 60 points in 1973 led the Vols in scoring. He was 27-29 on PATs and was 11-21 on FGs. He also handled kickoff duties, booting long bombs consistently into the end zone. Again, Townsend was named 1st team All-American. As a senior, he went back to wearing a shoe, and his production slipped. He made 14-17 PATs and 10-21 FGs. If you look at his numbers…..72-77 PATs and 33-61 FGs….they look average at best today. One must remember how inaccurate kickers were at that time. His numbers are actually amazing based on the era. He’s also the only Vols kicker to be named 1st Team All-American 2X, and one of only a handful at any position. After his UT career ended, he played one season for the Memphis Southmen in the WFL.

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One of my top 10 favorite Vols of all time.
 
95 days…..

#95 - Ricky Townsend

Ricky, a former quarterback and linebacker turned kicker, tried kicking barefoot prior to his sophomore season, and it was a great decision. In 1972, he was a perfect 31-31 on extra points and as 13-19 on FGs. He became the first place-kicker in UT history to be named 1st team All-American. His 60 points in 1973 led the Vols in scoring. He was 27-29 on PATs and was 11-21 on FGs. He also handled kickoff duties, booting long bombs consistently into the end zone. Again, Townsend was named 1st team All-American. As a senior, he went back to wearing a shoe, and his production slipped. He made 14-17 PATs and 10-21 FGs. If you look at his numbers…..72-77 PATs and 33-61 FGs….they look average at best today. One must remember how inaccurate kickers were at that time. His numbers are actually amazing based on the era. He’s also the only Vols kicker to be named 1st Team All-American 2X, and one of only a handful at any position. After his UT career ended, he played one season for the Memphis Southmen in the WFL.

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is this the father of tommy townsend of the chiefs?
 
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94 days…….

#94 - Tom Fisher

Not the most well known linebacker in UT history, but if not for tragedy, he would be. Fisher was from Brooksville, Fl and lettered in 1964 and 1965. Listed at 239 lbs, he was big, powerful, and a hard hitter that had a “nose for the football.” In 1964, Fisher intercepted three passes on the season, returning one for the game winning score over Boston College. He also set a record that still stands today. He made 28 tackles in the loss vs Auburn, with 21 of them solo stops. For the season, Fisher made 165 tackles and his star was shining bright. In 1965, Fisher and Frank Emanuel teamed up to produce one of the greatest LB duos in UT history. Fisher helped lead a defense that gave up an average of 8.9 points per game and finished 8-1-2 on the season. Fisher was named 2nd team All-SEC and was picked to be an All- American in 1966. Because he sat out a season in 1963, he was eligible to be drafted, and was picked in the 3rd round of the NFL draft by the Giants and in the 1st round of the AFL draft by the Oilers. Tom was going to return for his senior season, but tragically, he and a teammate were killed in a car wreck in March of 1966. Those that remember Fisher agree, he was without a doubt, one of UTs finest.

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93 days……

#93 - Austin Denney

Denney arrived in Knoxville in 1963 and played on the freshman team and then was a fullback on the 1964 varsity squad. He missed almost the entire season because of a shoulder injury. Due to his size and blocking ability, and the fact the starting TE went home for a few days during Spring drills, he was moved to tight end in 1965. Coach Dickey made the correct choice. As a junior in ‘65, he showed his strength and speed in the opener vs Army, when he broke several tackles and outraced the secondary for a 53 yard touchdown. He quickly became known as a player who rose to the occasion when a big play was needed, making several key 3rd down receptions, keeping drives alive. He finished the season with 14 receptions for 206 yards and 2TDs. After the season, he was drafted as a “future pick” by the Cowboys and was selected by the Jets in the AFL Draft. He returned for his senior season and was elected co-captain by his teammates. As a senior, he started off the year scoring 2 TDs in the win vs Auburn, and continued his great play all season long. He became a safety net for Dewey Warren and made the All-SEC team and was a 1st team All-American in 1966. He finished the season with 21 receptions for 264 yards and 7 TDs. His 9 career receiving touchdowns were a school record at the time.
After UT, Denney went to the NFL, where Dallas traded him to Chicago. He ended up having a successful career with the Bears and then with the Buffalo Bills. Austin Denney set the standard for today's Tennessee tight ends with his versatility, speed and fight.

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93 days……

#93 - Austin Denney

Denney arrived in Knoxville in 1963 and played on the freshman team and then was a fullback on the 1964 varsity squad. He missed almost the entire season because of a shoulder injury. Due to his size and blocking ability, and the fact the starting TE went home for a few days during Spring drills, he was moved to tight end in 1965. Coach Dickey made the correct choice. As a junior in ‘65, he showed his strength and speed in the opener vs Army, when he broke several tackles and outraced the secondary for a 53 yard touchdown. He quickly became known as a player who rose to the occasion when a big play was needed, making several key 3rd down receptions, keeping drives alive. He finished the season with 14 receptions for 206 yards and 2TDs. After the season, he was drafted as a “future pick” by the Cowboys and was selected by the Jets in the AFL Draft. He returned for his senior season and was elected co-captain by his teammates. As a senior, he started off the year scoring 2 TDs in the win vs Auburn, and continued his great play all season long. He became a safety net for Dewey Warren and made the All-SEC team and was a 1st team All-American in 1966. He finished the season with 21 receptions for 264 yards and 7 TDs. His 9 career receiving touchdowns were a school record at the time.
After UT, Denney went to the NFL, where Dallas traded him to Chicago. He ended up having a successful career with the Bears and then with the Buffalo Bills. Austin Denney set the standard for today's Tennessee tight ends with his versatility, speed and fight.

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2 things:
1) Crazy how back in that day there was a "future pick" option for the AFL/NFL. Be cool if they brought that back.
2) THANKS for an in-game picture of the black cross helmets. I've never seen an in game image before.
 
92 days…..

#92 - Haskel Stanback

6’2 205 lbs of speed and muscle best describes the Kannapolis Comet. After an injury plagued season in 1971, Stanback rewrote the history books in 1972, rushing for a then school record 890 yards and lead the SEC with 13 TDs…..all while missing two games. He was his best, against the best, rushing for over 100 yards vs Penn St and Alabama. He helped UT to a 10-2 record and a Bluebonnet Bowl victory. He was named 2nd team All-SEC by the AP and UPI and 1st team by the Knoxville News Sentinel. In 1973, he was plagued again by nagging injuries, but still ran for 682 yards and 7 TDs. He had big games vs Duke, Auburn, and his two late TDs helped defeat Kansas. He was UTs MVP of the Gator Bowl and played in the postseason American Bowl. Again,he was named 2nd team All-SEC and was a Playboy All-American. He finished his career with 1,730 yards and 20 touchdowns. Stanback was selected in the 5th round of the 1974 draft by Cincinnati, but was traded to Atlanta, where he had a successful six year career.


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92 days…..

#92 - Haskel Stanback

6’2 205 lbs of speed and muscle best describes the Kannapolis Comet. After an injury plagued season in 1971, Stanback rewrote the history books in 1972, rushing for a then school record 890 yards and lead the SEC with 13 TDs…..all while missing two games. He was his best, against the best, rushing for over 100 yards vs Penn St and Alabama. He helped UT to a 10-2 record and a Bluebonnet Bowl victory. He was named 2nd team All-SEC by the AP and UPI and 1st team by the Knoxville News Sentinel. In 1973, he was plagued again by nagging injuries, but still ran for 682 yards and 7 TDs. He had big games vs Duke, Auburn, and his two late TDs helped defeat Kansas. He was UTs MVP of the Gator Bowl and played in the postseason American Bowl. Again,he was named 2nd team All-SEC and was a Playboy All-American. He finished his career with 1,730 yards and 20 touchdowns. Stanback was selected in the 5th round of the 1974 draft by Cincinnati, but was traded to Atlanta, where he had a successful six year career.


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One of my top 4 all time favorite Vols.
 
91 days ……..

#91 - Cedrick Wilson

Wilson was the top ranked HS QB in Tennessee out of high school, but made his name as a star at WR. As a freshman in 1997, he caught 7 passes for 2 TDs, and showed flashes of the excellence to come. As a sophomore, Wilson started ten games and was the second leading receiver with 33 receptions for 558 yards and 7 touchdowns. His first 100 yard game came vs Kentucky and his late TD in the SEC Championship game gave UT a comfortable lead. In 1999, he opened the season with 183 yards vs Wyoming and had two other 100 yard performances. Although hampered by a hamstring injury, he led the Vols with 57 receptions for 827 yards, 4 of which were TDs. He was named 2nd team All-SEC for the season. As a senior in 2000, Wilson helped ease a freshman QB into the fold with his leadership. Wilson was as steady as ever, catching 62 passes for 681 yards and 12 touchdowns. He scored 3 times vs Arkansas and twice vs UK. He was again named 2nd team All-SEC. For his career, Wilson sits 3 rd all time with 159 receptions, 6th all time in yards with 2,137, and 2nd with 24 touchdowns. Cedrick was a 6th round pick by the 49ers in the 2001 draft and played there until he was signed by the Steelers in 2005, where he helped them win Super Bowl XL.

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91 days ……..

#91 - Cedrick Wilson

Wilson was the top ranked HS QB in Tennessee out of high school, but made his name as a star at WR. As a freshman in 1997, he caught 7 passes for 2 TDs, and showed flashes of the excellence to come. As a sophomore, Wilson started ten games and was the second leading receiver with 33 receptions for 558 yards and 7 touchdowns. His first 100 yard game came vs Kentucky and his late TD in the SEC Championship game gave UT a comfortable lead. In 1999, he opened the season with 183 yards vs Wyoming and had two other 100 yard performances. Although hampered by a hamstring injury, he led the Vols with 57 receptions for 827 yards, 4 of which were TDs. He was named 2nd team All-SEC for the season. As a senior in 2000, Wilson helped ease a freshman QB into the fold with his leadership. Wilson was as steady as ever, catching 62 passes for 681 yards and 12 touchdowns. He scored 3 times vs Arkansas and twice vs UK. He was again named 2nd team All-SEC. For his career, Wilson sits 3 rd all time with 159 receptions, 6th all time in yards with 2,137, and 2nd with 24 touchdowns. Cedrick was a 6th round pick by the 49ers in the 2001 draft and played there until he was signed by the Steelers in 2005, where he helped them win Super Bowl XL.

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Not very many Vols own BOTH a college NC ring and a Super Bowl ring. Actually, probably not very many players is general can claim both.
 

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