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Andy Smith's top Tennessee football players of all time. Read his top 10 Tennessee football players and power rankings.
Top 10 Greatest Tennessee Football Players Of All Time
In this ranking, we will analyze the top 10 greatest players in Tennessee football history. We will look at career statistics, legacy, and impact during their time with the Volunteers.
No. 10: Stanley Morgan, RB/WR
Stanley Morgan was a playmaker on the football field during his four-year tenure in Tennessee. Throughout his career, Morgan was deployed as both a running back and a wide receiver. As a freshman, Morgan posted an SEC-leading 23.2 YPR. Then over his final three seasons, Morgan would tally 1,920 rushing yards and 2,484 passing yards with an impressive 32 combined touchdowns.
No. 9: Steve Kiner, LB
Steve Kiner was one of the most dominant linebackers in school history. Kiner was a two-time All-American and was named a unanimous All-American during the 1969 season. During this same season, Kiner won SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Kiner was also a two-time All-SEC and was eventually inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
No. 8: Travis Henry, RB
Travis Henry is the only running back in Tennessee history to eclipse the 3,000-yard mark. In fact, Henry was only a full-time player over his final three seasons, as he ran the ball just twice as a freshman. During his first season as a full-time player, he won a National Championship and took the ball 176 times for 970 yards. Over his final two seasons, Henry would tally over 2,000 yards and score 19 total touchdowns.
No. 7: Al Wilson, LB
Al Wilson played a lead role in the Tennessee defense during their 1998 National Championship. In this campaign, Wilson would be named a consensus All-American. During this campaign, he was also a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy. Wilson was also named All-SEC (first-team) during the 1997 and 1998 seasons. He would finish his career with over 270 combined tackles and would later be inducted into the College Hall of Fame.
No. 6: Jalin Hyatt, WR
After posting two modest campaigns during his first two seasons in Tennessee, Jalin Hyatt took a massive step forward in his final campaign. In the 2022 campaign, Hyatt would tally 1,276 receiving yards and 15 receiving touchdowns, both of which led the SEC. During this campaign, he posted a strong 105.6 yards per game and was named a consensus All-American and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award. He was the first wide receiver in school history to win this award.
No. 5: John Henderson, DT
John Henderson was one of the greatest defensive players in school history. The defensive tackle was a two-time consensus All-American (2000, 2001) during his three-year career in Tennessee. Henderson is also one of just two players in school history to win the Outland Trophy (2000). During this campaign, Henderson was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
No. 4: Jason Witten, TE
Jason Witten initially began his collegiate career as a defensive lineman before transitioning to tight end. After operating in a reserve role during his first season as a tight end, Witten would have a significant role in his final two seasons. In his final campaign (2002), Witten would tally 493 yards with five scores on 39 receptions. This is a program record for receptions at the position. Witten would also be a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award during this season.
No. 3: Eric Berry, DB
Eric Berry had a legendary career at the University of Tennessee. In Tennessee, Berry would play a lead role in the secondary over three seasons before being drafted fifth overall by the Kansas City Chiefs. Berry was a two-time consensus All-American and won the 2008 SEC Defensive Player of the Year award. In 2008, Berry led the SEC in interceptions (7). In 2009, he would win the Jim Thorpe Award.
No. 2: Peyton Manning, QB
One of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history holds the No. 2 spot on this list. After only logging 144 passing attempts as a freshman, Manning would be the QB1 in Tennessee over his final three seasons. During this stretch, Manning would average 3,353 passing yards and 26 passing scores per season. He would finish at least in the top 8 in Heisman voting in each campaign. In his final season (1997), Manning finished second in the Heisman voting and won the Maxwell Award and was named a consensus All-American.
No. 1: Reggie White, DE
One of the greatest defenders in NFL history stands alone on this list. White’s incredible NFL career began at the University of Tennessee. With the Volunteers, White would be a unanimous All-American, be named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and be named first-team All-SEC during the 1983 campaign. He was eventually inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and went on to tally the second-most sacks in NFL history, trailing only Bruce Smith by two.
