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

180 days............

#180 - Parys Haralson

Haralson, a native of Flora, Mississippi, was a four-time letterwinner (2002-05) and a two-time captain (2004-05) for the Vols. He finished his Volunteer career sixth all-time in sacks with 21. He tallied 157 total tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries during his brilliant four-year career at defensive end. As a junior, he had 43 tackles and 7 sacks and had 45 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles as a senior. Haralson was named 2nd Team All- SEC in 2004 and 2005.

Haralson was taken in the fifth round (pick No. 140) of the 2006 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. A nine-year NFL veteran, Haralson played in 118 games (88 starts) and registered 380 tackles, 28.0 sacks, five fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and five passes defended. He played his final two NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
Haralson passed away in September of 2021.......
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179 days……

#179 - Jeremy Lincoln

Lincoln was a cornerback from Toledo, Ohio, who lettered in ‘87,’88, ‘90, and ‘91. Playing as a reserve his freshman year, Lincoln had 7 tackles, and then started 7 games as a sophomore before being injured, collecting 24 tackles and blocking a field goal vs Alabama. He was redshirted in 1989, but returned the following season and started all 13 games, collecting 54 tackles, 7 PBUs, and 4 fumble recoveries during UTs SEC Championship season. As a senior, Lincoln wrote his name in the annals of Vols lore. His 36 tackles, 9 PBUs, and 2 interceptions helped him being named 1st Team All-SEC, but it was his blocked FG in the “Miracle at South Bend” that he will forever be revered. For his career, Lincoln had 121 tackles, 3 ints, 6 fumble recoveries, and 17 PBUs. He was also a track star for the Vols and was a 3rd round pick in ‘92 by the Bears. He played for several other NFL teams until 2000.


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178 days.......

#178 - Jalen Hurd

The story behind Hurd leaving UT may never be completely known, but his leaving doesn't diminish his accomplishments. A prized recruit out of Nashville, Hurd started 9 games as a freshman in 2014 and rushed for 899 yards and 13 TDs, while catching 35 passes for 221 yrds and 2 TDs. After rushing for 122 yards in the Tax Slayer Bowl win, Hurd was expected to explode as a soph. In 2015, Hurd had six 100 yard rushing games and had 1,288 yards for the season. Hurd was named the MVP after the Outback Bowl win where he rushed for 130 yards and a TD.
His junior year is where it gets complicated. Playing in only 7 games, Hurd only ran for 451 yards and declared that he was going to leave the team and transfer. Did he quit on his team, or was he lied to by Butch?? Either way, his legacy is tarnished a bit. We still can't forget how good he was. Hurd is 6th all time in rushing yards at UT with 2,638 and scored 20 TDs. He also had 492 receiving yards 6 more TDs. Had he stayed, he might be the leading rusher in UT history......

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178 days.......

#178 - Jalen Hurd

The story behind Hurd leaving UT may never be completely known, but his leaving doesn't diminish his accomplishments. A prized recruit out of Nashville, Hurd started 9 games as a freshman in 2014 and rushed for 899 yards and 13 TDs, while catching 35 passes for 221 yrds and 2 TDs. After rushing for 122 yards in the Tax Slayer Bowl win, Hurd was expected to explode as a soph. In 2015, Hurd had six 100 yard rushing games and had 1,288 yards for the season. Hurd was named the MVP after the Outback Bowl win where he rushed for 130 yards and a TD.
His junior year is where it gets complicated. Playing in only 7 games, Hurd only ran for 451 yards and declared that he was going to leave the team and transfer. Did he quit on his team, or was he lied to by Butch?? Either way, his legacy is tarnished a bit. We still can't forget how good he was. Hurd is 6th all time in rushing yards at UT with 2,638 and scored 20 TDs. He also had 492 receiving yards 6 more TDs. Had he stayed, he might be the leading rusher in UT history......

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Not a popular choice given the way in which he ended his career here, but deserving of this slot based on his accomplishments on field.
 
177 days...........

#177 - Bruce Wilkerson

Working with Tennessee offensive line coach (and future head coach) Fulmer, Wilkerson secured a spot in the second string during the 1983 season, backing up veteran tackle Curt Singer. By his sophomore season in 1984, he was a starter, anchoring a line that helped running back Johnnie Jones set career rushing records. Wilkerson was an integral member of the 1985 Sugar Vols, and was named All-SEC and 2nd-team All-American at the end of the season. In the '86 Sugar Bowl, Wilkerson's block on Miami nose guard Jerome Brown helped spring Jeff Powell's 60-yard touchdown run.

After an All-SEC senior year in 1986, Wilkerson was drafted by the LA Raiders in the second round of the 1987 Draft. He spent his first eight seasons with the Raiders, and was a starter throughout the early 1990s. He was on the inaugural roster of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995, and closed out his career with Green Bay.

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Unless I’m mistaken about the game, afterwards, Butch Jones declared that UT was a top CFB school, foreshadowing his eventual hire.

He, Dooley, and Beldar took care of that issue.

And a huge shout out to former UT Chancellor Jimmy Cheek for setting that whole sh**rain in motion.

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Note to future UT search committees: Never, EVER, hire head football coaches that played at Alabama or administrators from the University of Florida.
 
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