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

#28
#28
Cool story.
I never played serious football like you, always imagined that the toughest position to play was center? What do you think?
I think if you ask any old player they'll tell you they had the most challenging position out there. I will say this, I always thought offensive guard was one of the toughest because as a center, your primary job is to get the ball in the qb's hand, anything else is secondary. However, guards have to watch for nose guards and blitzes coming up the middle and then also pulling to lead block on sweeps and screens. Notice that virtually all defensive line stunts focus on the guard-center-guard part of the o-line.
Jason Whitlock was a BSU offensive lineman in the late eighties and also got his degree in journalism while playing. One of the few degreed sports journalist to actually play collegiate football.
Cool story.
I never played serious football like you, always imagined that the toughest position to play was center? What do you think?
I think if you ask any old player they'll tell you they had the most challenging position out there. I will say this, I always thought offensive guard was one of the toughest because as a center, your primary job is to get the ball in the qb's hand, anything else is secondary. However, guards have to watch for nose guards and blitzes coming up the middle and then also pulling to lead block on sweeps and screens. Notice that virtually all defensive line stunts focus on the guard-center-guard part of the o-line.
Jason Whitlock was a BSU offensive lineman in the late eighties and also got his degree in journalism while playing. One of the few degreed sports journalist to actually play collegiate football.
Tying the thread together, current Indianapolis Colts center Danny Pinter is a Ball State grad. Filling in for pro bowl center Ryan Kelley and doing a great job...one of few linemen that have caught a TD in the NFL this season.
 
#29
#29
249 days…….

#249-Cotten Letner

Letner earned three letters (1958-60) at end and place-kicker. For his efforts, he was named to the 1960 All-SEC second team and played in the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic.

He finished his UT career with 10 receptions for 138 yards and was the team’s leading pass-catcher in 1959 with eight for 92 yards. He also made 5-of-7 field goals and 27-of-33 PATs, scoring 42 career points by kicking.
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#31
#31
249 days…….

#249-Cotten Letner

Letner earned three letters (1958-60) at end and place-kicker. For his efforts, he was named to the 1960 All-SEC second team and played in the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic.

He finished his UT career with 10 receptions for 138 yards and was the team’s leading pass-catcher in 1959 with eight for 92 yards. He also made 5-of-7 field goals and 27-of-33 PATs, scoring 42 career points by kicking.
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I’m out of the running, only batting .500 now of players in the top 250 I saw play.
 
#36
#36
248 days……

#248 - Preston Warren

Preston was a four year letterman from 1987-1990. The Knoxville native was a 2nd team All-SEC defensive back as a redshirt sophomore in 1988, while leading the Vols in tackles. In the Boston College game, he tied the UT record with three interceptions. For his career, Warren had 163 total tackles and 8 interceptions……2 which he returned for touchdowns.



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#39
#39
247 days…….

#247 - Mike Mauck

Mauck was a four year letterman from 1973-1976 as a Safety. Mauck was at his best as a run defender. His best two seasons were his sophomore and junior years. As a sophomore, he collected 114 tackles and tallied 111 as a junior in only 9 games. Unfortunately, Mauck’s senior year was cut short after only three games due to a knee injury. Mauck was a 1st team ALL-SEC Safety in 1975 and was a 2X All-Academic member as well!

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#41
#41
247 days…….

#247 - Mike Mauck

Mauck was a four year letterman from 1973-1976 as a Safety. Mauck was at his best as a run defender. His best two seasons were his sophomore and junior years. As a sophomore, he collected 114 tackles and tallied 111 as a junior in only 9 games. Unfortunately, Mauck’s senior year was cut short after only three games due to a knee injury. Mauck was a 1st team ALL-SEC Safety in 1975 and was a 2X All-Academic member as well!

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Matriculated with Mike. Saw him play.
 
#44
#44
246 days…….

#246 - Craig Faulkner

A four year letterman from 1990-1993, Faulkner was as sure handed as any WR. Despite playing alongside some greats, Faulkner was able to grab 110 receptions for 1,705 yards and 9 TDs for his career.

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#45
#45
245 days…..

#245 - John Gordy

At 6’3” 250 lbs, Gordy was huge for his era. A starter at Tackle in ‘55 and ‘56, he helped open holes for greats Buddy Cruz and Johnny Majors. Gordy was captain of the ‘56 SEC championship team and was named All -SEC and All-South. Gordy went on to a stellar NFL career with the Lions.
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#46
#46
244 days…..

#244 - Antonio Richardson

Richardson came to Knoxville as one of the top OL recruits in the country. He never became the dominant player that some expected, but he was still very productive and consistent. From 2011-2013, Antonio played in 36 games, while starting every game his sophomore and junior years. He was named 2nd team All-SEC twice and helped the Vols rush for over 2,200 yards in 2013.

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#47
#47
244 days…..

#244 - Antonio Richardson

Richardson came to Knoxville as one of the top OL recruits in the country. He never became the dominant player that some expected, but he was still very productive and consistent. From 2011-2013, Antonio played in 36 games, while starting every game his sophomore and junior years. He was named 2nd team All-SEC twice and helped the Vols rush for over 2,200 yards in 2013.

View attachment 425556
One of the highlights of the Dooley classes. Unfortunately, I think he was the only O Lineman Dooley and company recruited - HAHAHAHA
If not for knee issues, "Tiny" could have had a good NFL carreer.
 
#49
#49
One of the highlights of the Dooley classes. Unfortunately, I think he was the only O Lineman Dooley and company recruited - HAHAHAHA
If not for knee issues, "Tiny" could have had a good NFL carreer.
Saw Tiny play when he was at Mt. Pleasant HS……..Seeing him against Single A kids was hysterical
 
#50
#50
243 days…..

243 - John Wagster

Wagster was one of Tennessee’s most productive defensive tackles during the 1970s, racking up more than 100 total tackles during each of his final two seasons with the Vols, and he’s still among UT’s career leaders in assisted tackles. Wagster posted 37 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in 1970 before racking up 120 tackles, two tackles for loss, a half-sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 1971. He finished his Tennessee career with a similarly productive season in 1972, matching his career high with 120 tackles while also recording one sack, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble. He was named All-SEC in 1972

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