Hmm, it's an interesting question.
But I think if we get to a point where one of our lads is breaking some amazing career record, heck, we're going to be celebrating them like mad. I'm not sure we'll worry too much about asterisks or anything, heh.
Key point: if they're record breakers, they're definitely NFL material. Which means they might not stay more than 3 (or max 4) years anyway, even with the "free year" on offer. So...it's not like we're talking about anyone who is going on their 6th year as a Vol. The great ones, the ones who break records, just don't stay that long.
But for the fun of it, imagine some dude who breaks the career sacks record held by Derek Barnett (formerly Reggie White). Derek got 33 sacks in 39 games played. With 13+ games per season (normally), our new record holder could have, say, 50 games under his belt (11 in the weird 2020 season, then 13 in each of the 2021, 2022, and 2023). And he gets his 34th, record-breaking sack on his last game, a bowl win against Ohio State.
We're going nuts for that guy. Sure, we'll remember back to Derek and Reggie, and how awesome they were, but we'll be welcoming the new fella to the Vols record books without too much asterisking. We'll be that proud of him.
The records that I think are most vulnerable, by a fella who plays four full years in orange (again, that won't happen often, with record-setters) are:
- career sacks. Derek showed the way. And did it in just 39 games. With 50+ games available...yep, potential is there
- career rushing. I know we do running back by committee these days, but if we do ever find a 3-down rusher who can stand the punishment and keep hauling through four seasons, Travis Henry's 3,078 yards doesn't seem impossible.
- career interceptions: Tim Priest has 18. Could a 4-year Vol stud pull in more? I think so.
Thanks for the interesting question, CA.
Go Vols!