The Greatest Series: Week 6 -- Tennessee's Best

Despite the constant refrain that Tennessee high schools fail to produce top-level talent, a number of prominent and important Vols grew up in the Volunteer state. In what is sure to elicit some controversy, a top-ten list of Tennessee's best, born or bred in Big Orange country. All jmo, tifwiw, GBO.

1. Al Wilson
2. Bruce Wilkerson
3 (tie). Johnny Majors; Doug Atkins
4. Reggie White
5. Bob Johnson
6. Jackie Walker
7. Jason Witten
8. Chad Clifton
9 (tie). Andy Kelly; Dale Jones
10 (tie). Travis Stephens; Bill Bates; Larry Seivers


Honorable mention: Bob Suffridge, Reggie Cobb, Antonio Richardson, Spencer Riley, Jason Layman, Johnnie Jones

 

John Henderson?

 

Yes. Would have him in place of Reggie, honestly.

 

Nice list of players. The order can be quibbled with ( I think Andy Kelly is an underrated Vol) but there are no clear errors or omissions that I can recall. Bobby Majors perhaps. Jimmy Colquitt? I was thinking Feathers and McEvers but they were from Bristol, VA.

 

I do these mainly from memory so I'm sure there are some (i.e. Henderson) I've overlooked.

The problem with rank ordering them is sentimentality gets in the way. I think Al's great because I saw him up close and personal, but guys my Dad's age raved about Jackie Walker. So, it's complicated.

 

Cedric Wilson

 

Bob Cifers

 

I know this is not where you are going, but players like Patrick Willis make the state shine.

 

For what its worth

http://www.databasefootball.com/players/player_bystate.htm?state=TN

 

Homer.

J/k.

 

I'm not sure that list is exhaustive or when exactly it was published but after seeing it I can't believe I forgot about Charles McRae.

 

Why?

 

Maybe, but he really was quite good. I think he might still have an NFL record for punting. Dude was winning high school state championships in individual track events when he was in eighth grade.

Bobby Dodd was another D-B guy that did everything on the field, but he was actually born outside the state.

 

I'm being a little tongue and cheek, but Henderson was a much more meaningful (and consistent) player. Reggie had one very dominant year, bot loafed a lot too.

 

I suppose it would depend on how you were defining "best". I don't think I'd put Henderson on our top ten defensive players. Leonard Little would be one I'd include.

 

in-stater list only

 

Yeah I get confused posting at work sometimes.

 

Justin Harrell is another possibility, although I would not put him as highly on the list as some of the others that have already been mentioned

 

John Henderson in top ten easy and Harrell should be included in HM.

 

Eh, if you are going to penalize Reggie for one outstanding year, I don't know how you give Harrell any love at all.