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

[peaygolf]

232 days……

#232 - James Berry

James Berry was a high school all american and part of UTs great ‘78 recruiting class. Berry lettered from ‘78-‘81 and played behind UT greats Hubert Simpson and Kelsey Finch early in his career. Known as “Mr Clutch,” Berry was a solid inside and outside runner, an excellent receiver out of the backfield, and a great blocker. He led the Vols in rushing in ‘80 and ‘81. He helped the Vols to two Bowl games and was a team captain his senior season. Although a great player in his own right, Berry is probably most remembered for raising 3 future VFLs. For his career, Berry had 1,721 rushing yards and 18 TDs, while also catching 34 passes for 295 yards and a td.

 

[peaygolf]

What’s that thing in the front row dressed in orange supposed to be?

View attachment 428365

@mad4vols

You’re looking at that “whatever it is?”
I’m looking at “whoever this is.”

 

[MAD]

@mad4vols

You’re looking at that “whatever it is?”
I’m looking at “whoever this is.”


View attachment 428376

Lol, you crack me up peay

 

[Tin Man]

@mad4vols

You’re looking at that “whatever it is?”
I’m looking at “whoever this is.”


View attachment 428376

Sitcom theme music playing in your head?

 

[Tin Man]

What’s that thing in the front row dressed in orange supposed to be?

View attachment 428365

When, where, what, who?

 

[peaygolf]

When, where, what, who?

 

[peaygolf]

231 days…..

#231 - Jalen Reeves-Maybin

Reeves-Maybin came to Knoxville from Northeast HS in Clarksville. As a freshman in 2013, he was a star on special teams with 11 tackles and a blocked punt. As a sophomore, he started at linebacker and finished 8th in the SEC with 101 tackles. As a junior, Jalen had 21 tackles vs Oklahoma and again led UT with 105 tackles. He also had 14 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. For his efforts, he was named 2nd team All-SEC by the Associated Press. As a senior in 2016, Reeves-Maybin started the first 4 games before suffering a season ending injury vs UF. In three and a half games he had 20 tackles. In 2017, he was selected in the 4th round by the Detroit Lions.

 

[OneManGang]

What’s that thing in the front row dressed in orange supposed to be?

View attachment 428365

That's a male cheerleader. (Bahdumbump)

Peabody and Sherman will take you in the Wayback Machine to the 1970s, back before the dance teams and such like. Back when the cheerleader budget could be carried in cash in a wallet with room for your Student ID and Activities Card.

That "thing in the front row" is a guy in the original Smokey suit. It was just gloriously low rent. I think it cost less than $10 and AD Woodruff begrudged even that.

 

[peaygolf]

230 days……

#230 - Bill Emendorfer

Emendorfer came to Knoxville as one of the greatest HS players in Cleveland, TN history. As a sophomore in 1970, Bill started at DT and had 52 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, and was named Football News 2nd Team All-American. As a junior and a senior, Emendorfer moved to Guard, where he quickly became one of the best offensive lineman in the 1970s. During his three varsity years, UT went 31-5 and won three straight Bowl Games. Emendorfer was named 2nd Team All-SEC in 1971 and was 1st Team All-SEC in 1972. He was also named to UTs 1970s All-Decade Team. Bill was also a member of UTs wrestling team and played one season in the WFL for the Birmingham Vulcans.

 

[peaygolf]

229 days……

#229 - Herbert “Deke” Brackett

Brackett play QB under Coach Neyland from 1931-1933. Brackett helped lead the Vols to a record of 25-3-2. Brackett shared the backfield with one of the greatest Vols in history, Beattie Feathers, so his accolades are not what they deserve. In 1931, Brackett helped UT to a 9-0-1 record and a trip to the New York City Bowl. As a junior, Deke was named All-South, while guiding the Vols to another 9-0-1 record. His senior season was compromised by injuries, but he still was named 2nd Team All-American. Not only was Brackett a solid passer, he returned several kickoffs and punts for touchdowns during his career. After playing at UT, Brackett was a successful assistant coach at various universities. His life and career came to a tragic end in 1970, when he and 74 others were killed in the Marshall University plane crash.

 

[peaygolf]

228 days……

#228 - Will Ofenheusle

Ofenheusle cam to UT from Martin Westview, where he did not allow a sack during his entire HS career. Will was a four year letterman from 1999-2002. As a rs-freshman in ‘99, he mostly played on field goal and extra point teams but really came on as a sophomore, where he started 5 games at guard and even played with a broken wrist for a majority of the season. As a junior, injuries on the OL forced him to move to right tackle, where he started all 13 games and helped UTs balanced attack average over 30 points a game and finish #4 in the country. Will’s senior season in ‘02 wasn’t the best for UT, but Ofenheusle was the lone bright spot on the OL. Will was named 1st Team All-SEC and was captain during his senior season. For his career, Ofenheusle played in 49 games and started 31 of them. We went to a short career with the NY Jets.

 

[peaygolf]

227 Days.........

#227 ~ Walker Leach


Leach played Halfback, End, Punter, and Kicker for the Vols from 1907-1908. During his time in Knoxville, he led UT to a 14-4-1 record. A quote from 1908...: "Captain Walker Leach was possibly the greatest player that ever upheld the standards of the Orange and White. The Star of Dixie was his recognized position and some of the leading critics of the South characterize his work in the Commodore-Volunteer game as the greatest ever put forth on any southern field." In 1908, Leach's 40 yard run gave UT it's only score in the 7-0 win over Kentucky State. In the Georgia win, he scored all 10 points with a 40 yard fumble return and a 40 yard FG. He also score all 9 points vs Vanderbilt in the 13-9 loss. His offense and defensive play single handedly kept UT in the game. On what is called one of the "greatest runs in southern football," he was stopped inches from the goalline on a 60 yard run to end the game. Most in the Nashville crowd thought he scored. Leach was named All- SIAA and named to the All-South 11 after his 1908 season.

 

[ArdentVol]

I like this idea. 1.000 here too.

if you're older than dirt, then i must be dust in the wind

looking forward to check all the reflections in this beloved thread

VFL from birth (even thoughthat occured in the north

 

[thedocvol]

229 days……

#229 - Herbert “Deke” Brackett

Brackett play QB under Coach Neyland from 1931-1933. Brackett helped lead the Vols to a record of 25-3-2. Brackett shared the backfield with one of the greatest Vols in history, Beattie Feathers, so his accolades are not what they deserve. In 1931, Brackett helped UT to a 9-0-1 record and a trip to the New York City Bowl. As a junior, Deke was named All-South, while guiding the Vols to another 9-0-1 record. His senior season was compromised by injuries, but he still was named 2nd Team All-American. Not only was Brackett a solid passer, he returned several kickoffs and punts for touchdowns during his career. After playing at UT, Brackett was a successful assistant coach at various universities. His life and career came to a tragic end in 1970, when he and 74 others were killed in the Marshall University plane crash.

View attachment 429065

Deke Brackett scored for Tennessee in the Charity Bowl on a 75 yard punt return. He was another associated with the UT program who died in a 5 year time span beginning with the three coaches in 1965

 

[peaygolf]

226 days……

#226 - Eddie Moore

Eddie came to Knoxville from South Pittsburgh TN and was a 4 year letterman from 1999-2002. Moore played mainly special teams in ‘99 and was a back-up linebacker in 2000, where he had 34 tackles. He was a full time starter his last two seasons where he combined for 182 tackles, 5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 12 pass break-ups. As a senior in 2002, Eddie was named 2nd Team All-SEC and was team MVP. He was a 2nd round pick in the 2003 draft by the Miami Dolphins.

 

[ArdentVol]

That 1970 team may be the best Tennessee team ever that didn't win a championship. Probably better than many Tennessee teams that did............

was away at school and watched air force game w/ my Dad. Also remember Wake game because many frat brothers were from Winston-Salem. If Bama game was on tube, I would have watched it. Maybe it was the loss to aubs that clouded my mind.

maybe it was bcause i was in college in 1970

 

[ArdentVol]

231 days…..

#231 - Jalen Reeves-Maybin

Reeves-Maybin came to Knoxville from Northeast HS in Clarksville. As a freshman in 2013, he was a star on special teams with 11 tackles and a blocked punt. As a sophomore, he started at linebacker and finished 8th in the SEC with 101 tackles. As a junior, Jalen had 21 tackles vs Oklahoma and again led UT with 105 tackles. He also had 14 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. For his efforts, he was named 2nd team All-SEC by the Associated Press. As a senior in 2016, Reeves-Maybin started the first 4 games before suffering a season ending injury vs UF. In three and a half games he had 20 tackles. In 2017, he was selected in the 4th round by the Detroit Lions.

View attachment 428606

believe another maybin has just retired his baseball glove

 

[VolGee4]

228 days……

#228 - Will Ofenheusle

Ofenheusle cam to UT from Martin Westview, where he did not allow a sack during his entire HS career. Will was a four year letterman from 1999-2002. As a rs-freshman in ‘99, he mostly played on field goal and extra point teams but really came on as a sophomore, where he started 5 games at guard and even played with a broken wrist for a majority of the season. As a junior, injuries on the OL forced him to move to right tackle, where he started all 13 games and helped UTs balanced attack average over 30 points a game and finish #4 in the country. Will’s senior season in ‘02 wasn’t the best for UT, but Ofenheusle was the lone bright spot on the OL. Will was named 1st Team All-SEC and was captain during his senior season. For his career, Ofenheusle played in 49 games and started 31 of them. We went to a short career with the NY Jets.

View attachment 429265

I had a class with Will. Pretty sure he left class early to leave for the UF game at the end of the year in 2001, and he turned to the class and guaranteed a victory.

 

[peaygolf]

225 days…….

#225 - Omar Gaither

Omar was a four year letterman from 2002-2005. As a two-year starter at Tennessee, Gaither recorded 210 tackles with 6 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss. Had a career-high 92 tackles, including 12.5 tackles for a loss as a junior when he took over the strongside (or "Sam") linebacker duties. As a senior, he finished with 78 tackles, 4 sacks, 7.5 tackles for a loss, and 4 forced fumbles. He was named 2nd Team All-SEC twice. Gaither was a 5th round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

[ArdentVol]

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.
View attachment 424138

dad got me his autograph before the 59 season

 

[ArdentVol]

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!

View attachment 424798

better career than i remembered

 

[ArdentVol]

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

View attachment 425786

doesnt look like at DT
remember hiim well, have not looked up his weight

 

[peaygolf]

doesnt look like at DT
remember hiim well, have not looked up his weight

6'2" 225

 

[OneManGang]

doesnt look like at DT
remember hiim well, have not looked up his weight

The Titanotheres we see today on the lines didn't really begin to make an appearance until the mid-late 1980s. It began when the rules on using hands to block were changed and offensive and defensive line play started looking like episodes of "Live 'Rasslin'". Charlie Rosenfelder was an AA guard at UT and played at 235 in the early '70s. Chip Kell was also an AA selection at 250 and was considered big.

Big John Hannah was considered a freak of nature on the Alabama line at 270.

Since I played on both sides of the ball in high school during this period let me say this, you had to be quick and light on your feet to do your job. Leg strength was also more important than upper body. You held your elbows out level with your shoulders and your hands against your chest, got low and used your leverage to keep the defensive linemen away. Holding your arms like that gave you a width of about 5 feet and when you turned your hands so the backs were against your chest, your opponent could not push them back (try it) which made it hard for a DT or end to get leverage. Our coaches had us grab our jerseys while blocking to avoid holding calls. The insides of my forearms were a mass of black and blue from two-a-days to the end of the season.

Also, virtually all lineman played both ways in HS at the time and that did not lend itself to fat guys,

I can remember an "April Fools" story in the KNS in the early 70s about UT signing a lineman who weighed 320 lbs. One of the assistant coaches was quoted as saying, "We didn't recruit that one. We trapped him." Everyone laughed. There was no way anyone could get that big.

 

[ArdentVol]

The Titanotheres we see today on the lines didn't really begin to make an appearance until the mid-late 1980s. It began when the rules on using hands to block were changed and offensive and defensive line play started looking like episodes of "Live 'Rasslin'". Charlie Rosenfelder was an AA guard at UT and played at 235 in the early '70s. Chip Kell was also an AA selection at 250 and was considered big.

Big John Hannah was considered a freak of nature on the Alabama line at 270.

Since I played on both sides of the ball in high school during this period let me say this, you had to be quick and light on your feet to do your job. Leg strength was also more important than upper body. You held your elbows out level with your shoulders and your hands against your chest, got low and used your leverage to keep the defensive linemen away. Holding your arms like that gave you a width of about 5 feet and when you turned your hands so the backs were against your chest, your opponent could not push them back (try it) which made it hard for a DT or end to get leverage. Our coaches had us grab our jerseys while blocking to avoid holding calls. The insides of my forearms were a mass of black and blue from two-a-days to the end of the season.

Also, virtually all lineman played both ways in HS at the time and that did not lend itself to fat guys,

I can remember an "April Fools" story in the KNS in the early 70s about UT signing a lineman who weighed 320 lbs. One of the assistant coaches was quoted as saying, "We didn't recruit that one. We trapped him." Everyone laughed. There was no way anyone could get that big.

i tend to forget hannah was a freak for his time, particularly since Bryant had gus playing both ways on the line that were 210 or less, and then think bAck to ted hendricks, who did not carry that much weight for his his frame.
This is going to date me, but i thought ,how strange it was that LSU had players that only played one way. A decade later I think the biggest guys on our hs team were our two ends and that we had starters on the OL etween 170-175,t
chip kells weight was quite a shock. thought he was much smaller