Tennessee Volunteers football
{{short description|Football team of the University of Tennessee}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox NCAA football school
| TeamName = Tennessee Volunteers football
| CurrentSeason = 2025 Tennessee Volunteers football team
| Image = Tennessee Volunteers logo.svg
| ImageSize = 120
| FirstYear = 1891; {{Years or months ago|1891}}{{efn|The 1894 and 1895 teams were unofficial.}}
| AthleticDirector = Danny White
| HeadCoach = Josh Heupel
| HeadCoachYear = 5th
| HCWins = 37
| HCLosses = 15
| Stadium = Neyland Stadium
| FieldName = Shields-Watkins Field
| StadiumBuilt = 1921
| StadCapacity = 101,915
| StadSurface = Tifway 419 Bermuda Hybrid
| Location = Knoxville, Tennessee
| NCAAdivision = I FBS
| Conference = SEC
| ConfDivision =
| PastAffiliations = SIAA (1896–1920)
SoCon (1921–1932)
| WebsiteName = UTSports.com
| WebsiteURL = https://utsports.com/sports/football
| ATWins = 870
| ATLosses = 415
| ATTies = 53
| BowlWins = 30
| BowlLosses = 25
| BowlTies =
| PlayoffApps = 1 (2024)
| Playoffs =
| NatlTitles = 6 (1938, 1940, 1950, 1951, 1967, 1998)
| UnNatlTitles = 6 (1914, 1931, 1939, 1956, 1985, 1989)
| NatlFinalist = 2 (1997, 1998)
| ConfTitles = 16 (13 SEC, 2 SoCon, 1 SIAA)
| DivTitles = 6 (1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007)
| Heismans =
| AllAmericans = 41{{Cite web |title=Award Winners |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Awards.pdf |access-date=April 17, 2015 |publisher=Fs.ncaa.org }}
| uniform = 180px
| color1 = Tennessee Orange
| color1hex = ff8200
| color2 = White
| color2hex = ffffff
| color3 = Smokey Gray
| color3hex = 4b4b4b
| FightSong = Down the Field (Official)
Rocky Top (Unofficial) Dixieland Delight (Unofficial)
| MascotDisplay = Smokey XI
| MarchingBand = Pride of the Southland Band
| PagFreeLabel = Outfitter
| PagFreeValue = Nike
| Rivalries = Alabama (rivalry)
Auburn (rivalry)
Florida (rivalry)
Georgia (rivalry)
Georgia Tech (rivalry)
Kentucky (rivalry)
South Carolina (rivalry)
Vanderbilt (rivalry)
}}
The Tennessee Volunteers football program (variously called "Vols," "UT" and "Big Orange") represents the University of Tennessee (UT).
The Vols have played football for 132 seasons, starting in 1891; their combined record of 870–415–53 ({{Winpct|870|415|53}}) ranks them fourteenth on the all-time win list for NCAA football programs.{{Cite web | url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2017/FBS.pdf | title=Football bowl subdivision records | website=fs.ncaa.org}}{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2008 |title=University of Tennessee Athletics – Football |url=http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/fball-history/fb-history-gbg-lead.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401001943/http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/fball-history/fb-history-gbg-lead.html |archive-date=April 1, 2015 |access-date=April 17, 2015 |publisher=Utsports.Com}} Their all-time ranking in bowl appearances is fifth (55) and eighth in all-time bowl victories (30), most notably four Sugar Bowls, three Cotton Bowls, two Orange Bowls, a Fiesta Bowl, and a Peach Bowl. They have won 16 conference championships and claim six national titles, including two (1951, 1998) from the major wire-service: AP Poll and/or Coaches' Poll in their history.
The Vols play at Neyland Stadium on the university's campus in Knoxville, where Tennessee has won 485 games, the highest home-field total in college football history for any school in the nation at its current home venue. Additionally, its 101,915 seat capacity makes Neyland the nation's sixth largest and third largest in the Southeastern Conference.
History
{{summarize|date=April 2018}}
{{Main|History of Tennessee Volunteers football}}
{{See also|List of Tennessee Volunteers football seasons}}
Conference affiliations
- Independent (1891–1895)
- Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1896–1920)
- Southern Conference (1921–1932)
- Southeastern Conference (1933–present)
Rivalries
{{Main|Tennessee Volunteers football rivalries}}
The Vols' main rivalries include the Alabama Crimson Tide (Third Saturday in October) and Vanderbilt Commodores. Tennessee's longest and most played rivalry is with the Kentucky Wildcats. Since the formation of the SEC Eastern Division in 1992, the Vols have had emerging rivalries with the Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, and the South Carolina Gamecocks. None of their games have trophies, although Kentucky–Tennessee used to battle over a trophy called the Beer Barrel from 1925 until 1999. The Volunteers used to have important rivalries with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Auburn Tigers, and Ole Miss Rebels until Georgia Tech left the SEC and realignment forced them to drop Auburn and Ole Miss from the schedule annually.
Championships
=National championships=
Tennessee has been selected as national championships six times from NCAA-designated major selectors, including twice (2) from major wire-services: AP Poll and Coaches Poll.{{cite web | title=AP National Championships - Football | website=College Poll Archive
| url=http://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/research/championships.cfm#.YTN82Y5KiUk | access-date=2025-02-03}}{{Cite book |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2018/FBS.pdf |title=2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records |date=August 2018 |publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association |location=Indianapolis |access-date=September 9, 2018}}{{rp|112–115}} Tennessee claims all six national championships.{{Cite book |url=http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/guides/2014/ |title=2014 Tennessee Football Media Guide |publisher=University of Tennessee Department of Athletics |year=2014 |editor-last=Stanton |editor-first=Jimmy |pages=1, 160–174 |access-date=May 5, 2015 |editor-last2=Yellin |editor-first2=Jason |editor-last3=Kniffen |editor-first3=Mary-Carter}}{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Official Athletic Site – Football: National Champions |url=http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/fball-history/fb-history-nationalchamps.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406090245/http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/fball-history/fb-history-nationalchamps.html |archive-date=April 6, 2012 |access-date=May 5, 2015 |publisher=University of Tennessee Department of Athletics }}
The Associated Press (AP) has selected Tennessee as national champions twice, in 1951 and 1998. The No. 1 Vols lost in the Sugar Bowl following the 1951 season after being named AP and UPI national champions due to the polls being conducted before the bowl season prior to 1965 and 1974 respectively. The 1938 and 1950 championships, while not AP titles, were recognized by a majority and a plurality of overall selectors/polls, respectively.{{Cite web |title=Yearly National Championship Selections |url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1938 |access-date=April 17, 2015 |publisher=Cfbdatawarehouse.com}}{{Cite web |title=Yearly National Championship Selections |url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1950 |access-date=April 17, 2015 |publisher=Cfbdatawarehouse.com}}
class="wikitable" | ||||||||
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Tennessee Volunteers|Year|Coach|Selectors|Record|Bowl|Opponent|Result|Final AP|Final Coaches}} | ||||||||
1938 | rowspan="4"|Robert Neyland | Berryman, Billingsley, Boand, Dunkel, College Football Researchers Association, Houlgate, Litkenhous, Poling, Sagarin, Sagarin (ELO-Chess) | 11–0 | Orange | Oklahoma | W 17–0 | No. 2 | – |
1940 | Dunkel | 10–1 | Sugar | Boston College | L 13–19 | No. 4 | – | |
1950 | Billingsley, DeVold, Dunkel, Football Research, National Championship Foundation, Sagarin (ELO-Chess) | 11–1 | Cotton | Texas | W 20–14 | No. 4 | No. 3 | |
1951 | Associated Press, Litkenhous, United Press International (coaches), Williamson | 10–1 | Sugar | Maryland | L 13–28 | No. 1 | No. 1 | |
1967 | Doug Dickey | Litkenhous | 9–2 | Orange | Oklahoma | L 24–26 | No. 2 | No. 2 |
1998 | Phillip Fulmer | Associated Press, BCS, FW, National Football Foundation, USA Today | 13–0 | Fiesta (BCS National Championship Game) | Florida State | W 23–16 | No. 1 | No. 1 |
Tennessee has also been awarded national championships by various notable organizations in six additional years of 1914, 1931, 1939, 1956, 1985, and 1989, though the school claims none.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee All National Championships |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/tennessee/all_national_champs.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117094217/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/tennessee/all_national_champs.php |archive-date=January 17, 2010 |access-date=April 17, 2015 |publisher=Cfbdatawarehouse.com}}
=Conference championships=
Tennessee has won a total of 16 conference championships, including 13 SEC championships.{{Cite web |title=2018 Media Guide |url=https://static.utsports.com/custompages/sports/m-footbl/2018/Media%20Guide/Volmanac_Records_Section.pdf |website=utsports.com |publisher=Tennessee Athletics }}{{rp|273–275}}
class="wikitable" | ||||
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Tennessee Volunteers|Year|Conference|Coach|Overall record|Conference record}} | ||||
1914 | SIAA | Zora G. Clevenger | 9–0 | 5–0 |
1927† | rowspan="2"|SoCon | rowspan="7"|Robert Neyland | 8–0–1 | 5–0–1 |
1932† | 9–0–1 | 7–0–1 | ||
1938 | rowspan="13"|SEC | 11–0 | 7–0 | |
1939 | 10–1 | 6–0 | ||
1940 | 10–1 | 6–0 | ||
1946† | 9–2 | 5–0 | ||
1951† | 10–1 | 5–0 | ||
1956 | Bowden Wyatt | 10–1 | 6–0 | |
1967 | rowspan="2"|Doug Dickey | 9–2 | 6–0 | |
1969 | 9–2 | 5-1 | ||
1985 | rowspan="3"|Johnny Majors | 9–1–2 | 5–1 | |
1989† | 11–1 | 6–1 | ||
1990 | 9–2–2 | 5–1–1 | ||
1997 | rowspan="2"|Phillip Fulmer | 11–2 | 7–1 | |
1998 | 13–0 | 8–0 |
=Division championships=
As winners of the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division, Tennessee has made five appearances in the SEC Championship Game, with the most recent coming in 2007. The Vols are 2–3 in those games.
class="wikitable" | |||
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Tennessee Volunteers|Year|Division Championship|Opponent|Result}} | |||
1997 | rowspan="6"|SEC East | Auburn | W 30–29 |
1998 | Mississippi State | W 24–14 | |
2001 | LSU | L 20–31 | |
2003† | colspan=2| N/A lost tiebreaker to Georgia | ||
2004 | Auburn | L 28–38 | |
2007† | LSU | L 14–21 |
† Co-champions
Head coaches
{{Main|List of Tennessee Volunteers head football coaches}}
Tennessee has had 24 head coaches since it began play during the 1891 season. Robert Neyland is the leader in seasons coached and games won, with 173 victories in 21 seasons (spread out over three stints). John Barnhill has the highest winning percentage of those who have coached more than one game, with .846. James DePree has the lowest winning percentage of those who have coached more than one game, with .306. Of the 23 different head coaches who have led the Volunteers, Neyland, Wyatt, Dickey, Majors, and Fulmer have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Bowl games
{{main|List of Tennessee Volunteers bowl games}}
This is a list of Tennessee's ten most recent bowl games. Tennessee holds an all-time bowl game record of 30–25 through the 2023 season, due to the removal of the vacated win from 2019.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Volunteers College Football History, Stats, Records |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/index.html |access-date=July 15, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}
class="wikitable" | ||||
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Tennessee Volunteers|Season|Coach|Bowl|Opponent|Result}} | ||||
2007 | Phillip Fulmer | Outback Bowl | #18 Wisconsin | W 21–17 |
2009 | Lane Kiffin | Chick-fil-A Bowl | #11 Virginia Tech | L 14–37 |
2010 | Derek Dooley | Music City Bowl | North Carolina | L 27–30 2OT |
2014 | Butch Jones | TaxSlayer Bowl | Iowa | W 45–28 |
2015 | Butch Jones | Outback Bowl | #13 Northwestern | W 45–6 |
2016 | Butch Jones | Music City Bowl | Nebraska | W 38–24 |
2019 | Jeremy Pruitt | Gator Bowl | Indiana | W 23–22vacated |
2021 | Josh Heupel | Music City Bowl | Purdue | L 45–48 OT |
2022 | Josh Heupel | Orange Bowl | #7 Clemson | W 31–14 |
2023 | Josh Heupel | Citrus Bowl | #17 Iowa | W 35–0 |
Tennessee's all-time appearances and victories of 56 & 31 (on-field results) rank fifth and fourth, respectively. With the removal of the vacated 2019 victory, they stand at 55 appearance and 30 victories, which rank as sixth and seventh.
Logos and uniforms
{{expand section|date=August 2014}}
The Volunteers had originally worn black uniforms from 1911 to 1920.
Orange jerseys with black wool numbers were first worn on September 23, 1922, in a 50-0 win against Emory & Henry.{{Cite web |title=Uniforms, Football |url=https://volopedia.lib.utk.edu/entries/uniforms-football/#:~:text=In%201970,%20when%20called%20for,Majors'%20final%20game%20in%201992. |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Volopedia |language=en-US}}
In 1935, the jerseys were white with orange stripes on the sleeves but this changed in 1936 to orange jerseys and white numbers, which were on the front for the first time.File:Tenngacaptains2007.JPG
In 2009, the Volunteers wore black jerseys with orange pants on Halloween night against the South Carolina Gamecocks.{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2013 |title=Tennessee Vols Football Uniforms |url=http://uniformcritics.com/football/college/tennessee-vols/ |access-date=April 17, 2015 |publisher=Uniformcritics.com}}
On October 5, 2013, the team debuted its "Smokey Gray" uniforms in an overtime loss to the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium.{{Cite web |date=September 29, 2013 |title=Vols To Wear Smokey Gray Unis Saturday – UTSPORTS.COM – University of Tennessee Athletics |url=http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092913aac.html |access-date=April 17, 2015 |publisher=Utsports.Com}}
In 2024, the team continues with "Smokey Gray" as the main colour but now, for the first time, features an orange 'Tennessee' across the chest.{{Cite web |title=Knoxville News Sentinel Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/07/13/tennessee-football-smokey-grey-uniform-2024/74381530007/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=subscribe.knoxnews.com}}
Traditions
=Orange and white=
File:UTColors.jpg wearing the school colors.]]
The orange and white colors worn by the football team were selected by Charles Moore, a member of the very first Tennessee football team in 1891. They were from the American Daisy which grew on The Hill, the home of most of the classrooms at the university at the time (now housing most of the chemistry and physics programs et al.). Tennessee football players did not wear the color until 1922 however.{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2017 |title=Tennessee Traditions - The Orange & White |url=https://utsports.com/sports/2017/6/14/history-traditions-html.aspx |access-date=April 2, 2022 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}}
The orange color is distinct to the school, dubbed "UT Orange", and has been offered by The Home Depot for sale as a paint, licensed by the university. Home games at Neyland Stadium have been described as a "sea of Orange" due to the large number of fans wearing the school color; the moniker Big Orange, as in "Go Big Orange!", derives from the usage of UT Orange.
The color is spot color PMS 151 as described by the university.{{cite web|url=http://pr.tennessee.edu/identity/quick.asp| title= Quick Points - UT Colors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301153849/http://pr.tennessee.edu/identity/quick.asp |archive-date=March 1, 2007 }}
In addition to the famous orange and white, UT also has had the little-known Smokey Gray color since the 1930s and debuted the color in the October 5, 2013, rivalry game against Georgia in an alternate jersey.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Patrick |date=October 5, 2013 |title=Tennessee Vols have had several uniform changes in the last two decades |url=http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/oct/05/vols-uniform-changes-in-last-two-decades/ |access-date=October 22, 2013 |publisher=Chattanooga Times Free Press}}
=Checkerboard end zones=
Tennessee first sported their famous orange and white checkerboard end zone design in 1964 under coach Dickey and remained until artificial turf was installed at Neyland Stadium in 1968.{{cite web | title=There's More to the Checkboards Than Orange & White Paint | website=University of Tennessee Athletics | date=2003-09-10 | url=https://utsports.com/news/2003/9/10/There_s_More_to_the_Checkboards_Than_Orange_amp_White_Paint.aspx | access-date=2024-09-12}} They brought the design back in 1989. The idea was inspired by the checkerboard design around the top of the clock tower at the historic Ayres Hall.{{cite web | last=Wilusz | first=Ryan | title=UT Vols: Where did the checkerboard, 'Power T' come from? | website=Knoxville News Sentinel | date=2018-08-26 | url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/entertainment/2018/08/25/ut-vols-football-checkerboards-paint/1072276002/ | access-date=2024-09-12}}
The checkerboard was bordered in orange from 1989 until natural grass replaced the artificial turf in 1994. The return of natural grass brought with it the return of the green (or grass colored) border that exists today.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Traditions - Orange and White Checkerboards |url=https://utsports.com/sports/2017/6/14/history-traditions-html.aspx |access-date=March 21, 2022 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}}
=Rocky Top=
{{Further|Rocky Top}}
Rocky Top is not the official Tennessee fight song (Down the Field is the official fight song), as is widely believed, but is the most popular in use by the Pride of the Southland Marching Band. The Band began playing the fight song during the 1970s after it became popular as a Bluegrass tune by the Osborne Brothers. The fight song is widely recognized as one of the most hated by opponents in collegiate sports.{{Cite web |date=June 22, 2008 |title=Top Ten College Football Traditions Fans Love To Hate |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/31765-top-ten-college-football-traditions-fans-love-to-hate |access-date=April 17, 2015 |website=Bleacher Report}} The song became one of Tennessee's state songs in 1982.
=Smokey=
Smokey is the mascot of the University of Tennessee sports teams, both men's and women's. A Bluetick Coonhound mascot, Smokey X, leads the Vols on the field for football games. On game weekends, Smokey is cared for by the members of Alpha Gamma Rho's Alpha Kappa chapter. There is also a costumed mascot, which has won several mascot championships, at every Vols game.{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2017 |title=Tennessee Traditions |url=https://utsports.com/sports/2017/6/14/history-traditions-html.aspx |access-date=April 2, 2022 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}}
Smokey was selected as the mascot for Tennessee after a student poll in 1953. A contest was held by the Pep Club that year; their desire was to select a coon hound that was native to Tennessee. At halftime of the Mississippi State game that season, several hounds were introduced for voting, all lined up on the old cheerleaders' ramp at Neyland, with each dog being introduced over the loudspeaker and the student body cheering for their favorite. The late Rev. Bill Brooks' "Blue Smokey" was the last hound announced and howled loudly when introduced. The students cheered and Smokey threw his head back and barked again. This kept going until the stadium was roaring and UT had found its mascot, Smokey. The current Smokey is Smokey X, after Smokey IX was retired at the conclusion of the 2012 season. The most successful dog has been Smokey VIII who saw a record of 91–22, two SEC titles, and the 1998 National Championship.{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2017 |title=Tennessee Traditions - Smokey |url=https://utsports.com/sports/2017/6/14/history-traditions-html.aspx |access-date=April 2, 2022 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}}
=The Vol Walk=
Head coach Johnny Majors came up with the idea for the Vol Walk after a 1988 game at Auburn when he saw the historic Tiger Walk take place. The walk became an official part of gameday in a Tennessee-Alabama match on October 20, 1990. Prior to each home game, the Vols will file out of the Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex, down past the Tennessee Volunteers Wall of Fame, and make their way down Peyton Manning Pass and onto Phillip Fulmer Way. Thousands of fans line the street to shake the players' hands as they walk into Neyland Stadium. Through rain, snow, sleet, or sunshine, the Vol faithful are always out in full force to root on the Vols as they prepare for the game. The fans are always pumped up with Rocky Top played by The Pride of the Southland Band.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Traditions - Vol Walk |url=https://utsports.com/sports/2017/6/14/history-traditions-html.aspx |access-date=April 2, 2022 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}}
=The T=
The "T" appears in two special places in Vol history and tradition. The "T" first appeared in 1964 when coach Doug Dickey added the familiar block letter T onto the side of the helmets; a rounded T came in 1968. Johnny Majors modified the famous orange helmet stripe to a thicker stripe in 1977.{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2017 |title=Tennessee Traditions - The power T |url=https://utsports.com/sports/2017/6/14/history-traditions-html.aspx |access-date=March 21, 2022 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}}
The Vols also run through the T. This T is formed by the Pride of the Southland marching band with its base at the entrance to the Tennessee locker room in the north end zone with team personnel holding the state flag and the UT flag, Smokey running in on the field, and the entire UT team storming in to loud cheers and applause from the 100,000-plus Vols fans in Neyland. When Coach Dickey brought this unique and now-famous tradition to UT in 1965, the Vols' locker room was underneath the East stands. The Vols would run through the T and simply turn back to return to their sideline. However, beginning in 1983, the team would make the famous left turn inside the T and run toward their former bench on the east sideline when the locker room was moved from the east sideline to the north end zone. It was announced on January 24, 2010, that the Vols would switch their sideline from the east sideline to the west sideline for all home games from then on. This resulted in the Vols making a right out of the T instead of a left. This change took effect with Tennessee's first home game of the 2010 season against UT-Martin.
=Vols=
The Volunteers (or Vols as it is commonly shortened to) derive that nickname from the State of Tennessee's nickname. Tennessee is known as the "Volunteer State", a nickname it earned during the War of 1812, in which volunteer soldiers from Tennessee played a prominent role, especially during the Battle of New Orleans.{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2014 |title=Tennessee Department of State: Tennessee State Library and Archives |url=http://www.state.tn.us/TSLA/history/military/tn1812.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427081440/http://www.state.tn.us/TSLA/history/military/tn1812.htm |archive-date=April 27, 2006 |access-date=April 17, 2015 |publisher=State.tn.us}}
=Vol Navy=
Around 200 or more boats normally dock outside Neyland Stadium on the Tennessee River before games. The fleet was started by former Tennessee broadcaster George Mooney who docked his boat there first in 1962, as he wanted to avoid traffic around the stadium. What started as one man tying his runabout to a nearby tree and climbing through a wooded area to the stadium has grown into one of college football's unique traditions. Many fans arrive several days in advance to socialize, and the Vols have built a large walkway so fans can safely walk to and from the shoreline. UT, the University of Pittsburgh, Baylor University, and the University of Washington are the only schools with football stadiums built next to major bodies of water.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Traditions - Vol Navy |url=https://utsports.com/sports/2017/6/14/history-traditions-html.aspx |access-date=April 2, 2022 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}}
All-time record
As of the end of the 2023 regular season, Tennessee is ranked eleventh all-time won-lost records by percentage and tenth by victories. The all-time record is 870–415–53 ({{Winpct|870|415|53}}).{{Cite web|title=Winspedia - Tennessee Volunteers Football|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/tennessee|access-date=February 10, 2023|website=winsipedia.com|language=en-US}} At Neyland Stadium, the Vols have a record of 478–141–17 ({{Winpct|478|141|17}}).{{Cite web|title=2022 Tennessee FB Record Book|url=https://utsports.com/documents/2022/8/4/2022_Tennessee_FB_Record_Book__FINAL_FOR_WEB_.pdf|access-date=February 10, 2023|website=utsports.com|language=en-US}} 11 additional wins from 2019-20 were vacated by NCAA Committee on Infractions penalty ruling in July 2023. One of those victories was in a bowl game. Tennessee's all-time on-field record is 881-415-53({{Winpct|881|415|53}}). The all-time on-field bowl record is 31-25({{Winpct|31|25}}). Tennessee's all-time on-field record at Neyland Stadium is 494-142-18 ({{Winpct|494|142|17}}).
The UT football season records are taken from the official record books of the University Athletic Association. They have won 13 conference championships and six national titles in their history and their last national championship was in the 1998 college football season.
Tennessee holds the NCAA record for the most consecutive shutout wins with 17. The streak started with a Volunteers win against Tennessee-Chattanooga on November 30, 1938 and ended with a 27–12 loss against Alabama on October 19, 1940. During this streak, Tennessee outscored its opponents 479–0. Tennessee also holds the record for the most consecutive quarters opponents held scoreless, with 71.{{cite web | last=Daughters | first=Amy | title=The Most Unbreakable Records in College Football | website=Bleacher Report | date=2018-06-08 | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2399074-the-most-unbreakable-records-in-college-football#:~:text=10.,Most%20Consecutive%20Shutouts%20(Regular%20Season)&text=Tennessee's%2017%20consecutive%20regular-season,19%2C%201940 | access-date=2025-04-11}}
The Vols play at Neyland Stadium, where Tennessee has an all-time winning record of 494 games, the highest home-field total in college football history for any school in the nation at its current home venue. The stadium surrounds Shields–Watkins Field, the official name of the playing surface.{{cite web | last=Ramey | first=Grant | title=Tracing Neyland Stadium's history, from 1921 to 2020 | website=247Sports | date=2020-07-29 | url=https://247sports.com/college/tennessee/longformarticle/tennessee-vols-football-tracing-neyland-stadiums-history-from-1921-to-2020-149629256/ | access-date=2024-09-12}}
Hall of Fame
Tennessee boasts the most college football hall of famers in the SEC, seventh most in major college football, and the ninth most of all college football programs, with 24.
File:Doug Atkins - 1954 Bowman.jpg]]
File:NathanDougherty.jpg, considered the "founding father of UT Athletics"]]
=Players=
- Gene McEver – Elected 1954{{Cite web |title=Gene McEver |url=http://tshf.net/halloffame/mcever-gene/ |access-date=April 15, 2014 |publisher=2014 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame}}
- Beattie Feathers – Elected 1955{{Cite web |title=Beattie Feathers |url={{College Football HoF/url|id=1579}} |access-date=April 15, 2014 |publisher=THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION AND COLLEGE HALL OF FAME, INC}}
- Herman Hickman – Elected 1959{{Cite web |title=Herman Hickman |url={{College Football HoF/url|id=1580}} |access-date=April 15, 2014 |publisher=THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION AND COLLEGE HALL OF FAME, INC}}
- Bobby Dodd – Elected 1959 (Player) and 1993 (Coach){{Cite web |title=Bobby Dodd |url={{College Football HoF/url|id=1740}} |access-date=April 15, 2014 |publisher=THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION AND COLLEGE HALL OF FAME, INC}}
- Bob Suffridge – Elected 1961{{Cite web |title=Bob Suffridge |url=http://smokeys-trail.com/HallFame/suffridge.html |access-date=April 15, 2014 |publisher=Smokey's Trail}}
- Nathan Dougherty – Elected 1967{{Cite web |title=Nathan Dougherty |url=http://smokeys-trail.com/HallFame/dougherty.html |access-date=April 17, 2014 |publisher=Smokeys-trail.com/}}
- George Cafego – Elected 1969{{Cite web |title=George Cafego |url=http://smokeys-trail.com/HallFame/cafego.html |access-date=April 17, 2014 |publisher=Smokeys-trail.com/}}
- Bowden Wyatt – Elected 1972 (Player) and 1997 (Coach){{Cite web |title=Bowden Wyatt |url={{College Football HoF/url|id=1827}} |access-date=April 17, 2014 |publisher=THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION AND COLLEGE HALL OF FAME, INC}}
- Hank Lauricella – Elected 1981{{Cite web |title=Hank Lauricella |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LaurHa20.htm |access-date=April 17, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Doug Atkins – Elected 1985
- : Also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Elected 1975){{Cite web |title=Doug Atkins |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PLAYER_ID=17 |access-date=April 17, 2014 |publisher=2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame}}
- Johnny Majors – Elected 1987{{Cite web |title=Johnny Majors |url={{College Football HoF/url|id=2286}} |access-date=April 17, 2014 |publisher=THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION AND COLLEGE HALL OF FAME, INC}}
- Bob Johnson – Elected 1989{{Cite web |title=Bob Johnson |url={{College Football HoF/url|id=1900}} |access-date=April 17, 2014 |publisher=THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION AND COLLEGE HALL OF FAME, INC}}
- Ed Molinski – Elected 1990{{Cite web |title=Ed Molinski |url=http://tshf.net/halloffame/molinski-edward/ |access-date=April 17, 2014 |publisher=Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame}}
- Steve DeLong – Elected 1993{{Cite web |title=Steve DeLong |url={{College Football HoF/url|id=1899}} |access-date=April 17, 2014 |publisher=THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION AND COLLEGE HALL OF FAME, INC}}
- John Michels – Elected 1996{{Cite web |title=John Michels |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MichJo21.htm |access-date=April 17, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Steve Kiner – Elected 1999{{Cite web |title=Steve Kiner |url={{College Football HoF/url|id=1939}} |access-date=April 17, 2014 |publisher=THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION AND COLLEGE HALL OF FAME, INC}}
- Reggie White – Elected 2002{{cite web | title=Reginald Howard White, 2002 | website=College Football Hall of Fame | url=https://www.cfbhall.com/inductees/reggie-white-2002 | access-date=2024-09-12}}
- : Also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Elected 2006){{Cite web |title=Reggie White |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PLAYER_ID=257 |access-date=April 17, 2014 |publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame}}
- Frank Emanuel – Elected 2004{{Cite web |title=Frank Emanuel |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EmanFr20.htm?redir |access-date=April 17, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Chip Kell – Elected 2006{{Cite web |title=Chip Kell |url=http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/051606aaa.html |access-date=April 17, 2014 |publisher=utsports.com}}
- Peyton Manning – Elected 2017{{Cite web |title=Peyton Manning |url={{College Football HoF/url|id=2412}} |access-date=November 15, 2018 |publisher=THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION AND COLLEGE HALL OF FAME, INC}}
- : Also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Elected 2021){{Cite web |title=Peyton Manning |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/peyton-manning/ |publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame}}
- Eric Berry – Elected 2023{{Cite web |title=NFF Announces Star-Studded 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class |date=January 9, 2023 |url=https://footballfoundation.org/news/2023/1/9/general-nff-announces-star-studded-2023-college-football-hall-of-fame-class.aspx |access-date=January 10, 2023 |publisher=THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION AND COLLEGE HALL OF FAME, INC}}
=Coaches=
- Robert Neyland – Elected 1956{{cite web | title=Robert Reese Neyland, Jr., 1956 | website=College Football Hall of Fame | url=https://www.cfbhall.com/inductees/bob-neyland-1956 | access-date=2024-09-12}}
- Bowden Wyatt – Elected 1997{{cite web | title=Bowden Wyatt (1997) | website=National Football Foundation| url=https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1827#:~:text=Bowden%20Wyatt%20was%20elected%20to,was%20captain%20and%20All%2DAmerica. | access-date=2024-09-12}}
- Doug Dickey – Elected 2003{{cite web | title=Douglas Adair Dickey, 2003 | website=College Football Hall of Fame | url=https://www.cfbhall.com/inductees/doug-dickey-2003 | access-date=2024-09-12}}
- Phillip Fulmer – Elected 2012{{cite web | last=Paschall | first=David | title=Fulmer chosen for college hall | website=Chattanooga Times Free Press | date=2012-05-16 | url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/may/16/fulmer-chosen-for-college-hall/ | access-date=2024-09-12}}
Retired numbers
{{see also|List of NCAA football retired numbers}}
Tennessee has retired eight jersey numbers:{{Cite web |title=Football Retired Jerseys |url=https://utsports.com/sports/2017/6/14/history-m-footbl-retired-jerseys-html.aspx |website=University of Tennessee Athletics}}{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Kevin |title=Memorial Day: Remembering Vols That Gave It All |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/182582-memorial-day-remembering-vols-that-gave-it-all |website=Bleacher Report}}
;Notes
{{reflist|group=n1}}
Individual award winners
=Players=
:Peyton Manning – 1997{{Cite web |title=Peyton Manning |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MannPe00.htm |access-date=April 18, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
:Steve DeLong – 1964{{Cite web |title=Steve DeLong |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DeLoSt00.htm |access-date=April 18, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
:John Henderson – 2000{{Cite web |title=John Henderson |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendJo99.htm |access-date=April 18, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
:Michael Munoz – 2004{{Cite web |title=Michael Munoz |url=http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120804aaa.html |access-date=April 18, 2014 |publisher=utsports.com}}
:Eric Berry – 2009{{Cite web |title=Eric Berry |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BerrEr99.htm |access-date=April 18, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
:Jalin Hyatt – 2022{{Cite web |title=Jalin Hyatt College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jalin-hyatt-1.html |access-date=December 28, 2022 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}
=Coach=
:Phillip Fulmer – 1998
- American Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year
:John Chavis – 2006
- Robert R. Neyland Award
Past and present NFL players
File:Alvin Kamara.jpg (2015–16)]]
File:Jason Witten 2017.JPG (2000–02)]]
- Micah Abernathy, safety for the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons{{Cite web |title=Micah Abernathy |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AberMi00.htm |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
- Bill Anderson, tight end for the Washington Redskins and Green Bay Packers{{Cite web |title=Bill Anderson |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AndeBi00.htm |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
- Erik Ainge, quarterback for the New York Jets{{Cite web |title=Erik Ainge |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/erik-ainge-1.html |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Jason Allen, defensive back for the Miami Dolphins{{Cite web |title=Jason Allen |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleJa23.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Pete Athas, cornerback for the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, and New Orleans Saints{{Cite web |title=Pete Athas |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AthaPe20.htm |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
- Doug Atkins, former Defensive end for the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints 4× First-team All-Pro selection (1958, 1960, 1961, 1963), 6× Second-team All-Pro selection (1957, 1959, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1968), 8× Pro Bowl selection (1957, 1958, 1959, 1960,1961, 1962, 1963, 1965){{Cite web |title=Doug Atkins |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AtkiDo00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Rashad Baker, defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles{{Cite web |title=Rashad Baker |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BakeRa21.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Derek Barnett, defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl Champion (LII), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2017){{Cite web |title=Derek Barnett |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BarnDe01.htm |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
- Ben Bartholomew, former running back for the New England Patriots{{Cite web |title=Ben Bartholomew |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/benbartholomew/2541682/profile |access-date=April 20, 2014 |work=NFL.com}}
- Bill Bates, former defensive back for the Dallas Cowboys, Pro Bowl selection (1984)All-Pro selection (1984) 3x Super Bowl champion (1992, 1993, 1995){{Cite web |title=Bill Bates |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BateBi00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Eric Berry, strong safety for the Kansas City Chiefs 2× Pro Bowl selection (2010, 2012){{Cite web |title=Eric Berry |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BerrEr99.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Art Brandau, lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web |title=Art Brandau |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BranAr20.htm |access-date=August 12, 2014 |website=pro-football-reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC}}
- Jonathan Brown, former DE for Green Bay Packers, Saint Louis Rams and Denver Broncos{{Cite web |title=Jonathan Brown |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrowJo23.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- John Bruhin, guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers{{Cite web |title=John Bruhin |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BruhJo20.htm |access-date=August 18, 2014 |website=pro-football-reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC}}
- Shawn Bryson, former running back for the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions{{Cite web |title=Shawn Bryson |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrysSh00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Kevin Burnett, linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders.{{Cite web |title=Kevin Burnett |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BurnKe20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Shane Burton, former defensive lineman for the Miami Dolphins 1996-1998, Chicago Bears 1999, New York Jets 2000–2001, Carolina Panthers 2002–2004, Super Bowl XXXVIII Carolina Panthers vs NE Patriots Blocked FG, NFL League Leader Batted Passes 1998, 2001, NFL Leader Blocked FGs 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003{{Cite web |title=Shane Burton |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BurtSh20.htm |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
- Dale Carter, former defensive back for the Kansas City Chiefs, 4× Pro Bowl selection (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997), 2× Second-Team All-Pro selection (1995, 1996), 1992 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year{{Cite web |title=Dale Carter |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CartDa00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Chad Clifton, offensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers, Pro Bowl selection (2007){{Cite web |title=Chad Clifton |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ClifCh20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Reggie Cobb, former running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New York Jets{{Cite web |title=Reggie Cobb |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CobbRe00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Justin Coleman, cornerback currently for the Seattle Seahawks, has played for the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, and the Miami Dolphins, Super Bowl champion LI
- Britton Colquitt, punter for the Denver Broncos{{Cite web |title=Britton Colquitt |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ColqBr00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Craig Colquitt, former punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts{{Cite web |title=Craig Colquitt |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ColqCr20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Dustin Colquitt, punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers{{Cite web |title=Dustin Colquitt |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ColqDu20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Jimmy Colquitt, former punter for the Seattle Seahawks{{Cite web |title=Jimmy Colquitt |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ColqJi20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Trevor Daniel, punter for the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans{{Cite web |title=Trevor Daniel |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DaniTr00.htm |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
- Antone Davis, offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons{{Cite web |title=Antone Davis |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DaviAn25.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Joshua Dobbs, quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings{{Cite web |title=Joshua Dobbs |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DobbJo00.htm |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
- Troy Fleming, former fullback for the Tennessee Titans{{Cite web |title=Troy Fleming |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FlemTr00.htm |access-date=April 15, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Omar Gaither, linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons{{Cite web |title=Omar Gaither |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GaitOm20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Scott Galyon, linebacker for the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants{{Cite web |title=Scott Galyon |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GalySc20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Willie Gault, former wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, Super Bowl Champion (1985){{Cite web |title=Willie Gault |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GaulWi00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Deon Grant, defensive back for the Seattle Seahawks{{Cite web |title=Deon Grant |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GranDe21.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Jabari Greer, cornerback for the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl Champion (2009){{Cite web |title=Jabari Greer |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GreeJa22.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Shaun Ellis, defensive end for the New York Jets, 1× Pro Bowl selection (2003){{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Terry Fair, former defensive back for the Detroit Lions{{Cite web |title=Terry Fair |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FairTe20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Arian Foster, running back for the Houston Texans, Undrafted 2009, 3× Pro Bowl selection (2010, 2011, 2012), 3x All-Pro selection (2010, 2011, 2012), NFL Rushing Title (2010){{Cite web |title=Arian Foster |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FostAr00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Aubrayo Franklin, nose tackle for the Indianapolis Colts{{Cite web |title=Aubrayo Franklin |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FranAu20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Charlie Garner, former running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1× Pro Bowl selection (2000){{Cite web |title=Charlie Garner |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GarnCh00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Glenn Glass, defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos{{Cite web |title=GLENN GLASS |url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/glas01200.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504180004/http://www.profootballarchives.com/glas01200.html |archive-date=May 4, 2015 |access-date=May 4, 2015 |publisher=profootballarchives.com}}
- Anthony Hancock, wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs{{Cite web |title=Anthony Hancock |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HancAn00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Chris Hannon, wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers{{Cite web |title=Chris Hannon |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/chrishannon/2495845/profile |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Parys Haralson, linebacker for the New Orleans Saints{{Cite web |title=Parys Haralson |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HaraPa20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Montario Hardesty, running back for the Cleveland Browns{{Cite web |title=Montario Hardesty |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/montariohardesty/497178/profile |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Darryl Hardy, linebacker for several NFL teams{{Cite web |title=Darryl Hardy |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HardDa20.htm |access-date=August 4, 2014 |website=pro-football-reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC}}
- Alvin Harper, former wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, 2x Super Bowl Champion (1992 1993){{Cite web |title=Alvin Harper |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarpAl00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Justin Harrell, defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers{{Cite web |title=Justin Harrell |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrJu99.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Albert Haynesworth, defensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2× All-Pro selection (2007, 2008), 2× Pro Bowl selection (2007, 2008){{Cite web |title=Albert Haynesworth |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HaynAl20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Tracy Hayworth, linebacker for the Detroit Lions{{Cite web |title=Tracy Hayworth |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HaywTr20.htm |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
- John Henderson, defensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars, 2× Pro Bowl selection (2004, 2006), 1× All-Pro selection (2006){{Cite web |title=John Henderson |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HendJo99.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Travis Henry, running back for the Denver Broncos, Pro Bowl selection (2002) Former running back for the Buffalo Bills{{Cite web |title=Travis Henry |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HenrTr00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Anthony Herrera, guard for the Minnesota Vikings{{Cite web |title=Anthony Herrera |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HerrAn20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Cedric Houston, running back for the New York Jets{{Cite web |title=Cedric Houston |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HousCe00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- A. J. Johnson (linebacker), Linebacker for the Denver Broncos{{Cite web |title=Alexander Johnson |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnAl01.htm |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
- Mark Jones, wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers{{Cite web |title=Mark Jones |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JoneMa01.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Alvin Kamara, running back for the New Orleans Saints, 1x Pro Bowl selection (2017), Second Team All-Pro (2017), AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year(2017), Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year (2017), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2017)
- Jamal Lewis, former running back for the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns, Super Bowl champion (XXXV), Pro Bowl selection (2003), AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2003), NFL 2000s All-Decade Team{{Cite web |title=Jamal Lewis |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LewiJa00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Leonard Little, defensive end for the St. Louis Rams, Super Bowl champion (XXXIV), All-Pro selection (2003), 2x Pro Bowl selection (2003, 2006){{Cite web |title=Leonard Little |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LittLe00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Jesse Mahelona, defensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars{{Cite web |title=Jesse Mahelona |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/jessemahelona/2506948/profile |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Bobby Majors, defensive back for the Cleveland Browns{{Cite web |title=Bobby Majors |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MajoBo20.htm |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC |language=en}}
- Peyton Manning, former quarterback for the Denver Broncos, Drafted 1st Overall 1998 by the Indianapolis Colts, 13× Pro Bowl selection (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), 7× First-team All-Pro selection (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013), 3× Second-team All-Pro selection (1999, 2000, 2006), 5× AP NFL MVP (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013), 2× Super Bowl Champion (2006, 2015), NFL 2000s All-Decade Team{{Cite web |title=Peyton Manning |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MannPe00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- David Martin, tight end for the Miami Dolphins Former tight end for the Green Bay Packers{{Cite web |title=David Martin |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MartDa00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Tee Martin, former quarterback for the Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers{{Cite web |title=Tee Martin |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MartTe00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Jerod Mayo, linebacker for the New England Patriots, Draft 10th Overall 2008 & won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, 1x First-team All-Pro selection (2010){{Cite web |title=Jerod Mayo |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MayoJe99.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Turk McBride, defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs{{Cite web |title=Turk McBride |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McBrTu99.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Ron McCartney, middle linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons.{{Cite web |title=Ron McCartney |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McCaRo21.htm |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
- Jacques McClendon, offensive line for the Detroit Lions{{Cite web |title=Jacques McClendon |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McClJa20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Terry McDaniel, cornerback for the LA/Oakland Raiders and the Seattle Seahawks, 5x Pro Bowl Selection (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996), and 4x All-Pro selection (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995){{Cite web |title=Terry McDaniel |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McDaTe00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Raleigh McKenzie, former offensive guard for the Washington Redskins, All-NFL Team (1991), Super Bowl Champion (1987, 1991){{Cite web |title=Raleigh McKenzie |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McKeRa20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Robert Meachem, wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl Champion 2009{{Cite web |title=Robert Meachem |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MeacRo00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Art Mergenthal, guard for the Cleveland/Los Angeles Rams{{Cite web |title=Art Mergenthal |url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/merg00400.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708102412/http://www.profootballarchives.com/merg00400.html |archive-date=July 8, 2015 |access-date=November 1, 2015 |website=Pro Football Archives}}
- Marvin Mitchell, linebacker for the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl Champion 2009{{Cite web |title=Marvin Mitchell |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MitcMa99.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Denarius Moore, wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders{{Cite web |title=Denarius Moore |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MoorDe02.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Stanley Morgan, former wide receiver for the New England Patriots, 4× Pro Bowl selection (1979, 1980, 1986, 1987){{Cite web |title=Stanley Morgan |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MorgSt00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- McDonald Oden, former tight end for the Cleveland Browns{{Cite web |title=McDonald Oden |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OdenMc20.htm |access-date=August 22, 2016 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Eric Parker, former wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers{{Cite web |title=Eric Parker |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/ParkEr00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Cordarrelle Patterson, wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, 1× Pro Bowl selection (2013),{{Cite web |title=Cordarrelle Patterson |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PattCo00.htm |access-date=April 15, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}} Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, & currently the Atlanta Falcons
- Carl Pickens, former wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans, 2x Pro Bowl selection (1995, 1996), 1992 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year{{Cite web |title=Carl Pickens |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PickCa00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Peerless Price, former wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys, Pro Bowl alternate (2002){{Cite web |title=Peerless Price |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PricPe00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Craig Puki, former linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Cardinals{{Cite web |title=Craig Puki |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PukiCr20.htm |access-date=April 16, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Linebacker for the Detroit Lions{{Cite web |title=Jalen Reeves-Maybin |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/ReevJa00.htm |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
- Fuad Reveiz, placekicker for the Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, and Minnesota Vikings{{Cite web |title=Fuad Reveiz |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/reveifua01.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds, linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams, 2x Pro Bowl Selection, Super Bowl Champion (1981, 1984){{Cite web |title=Jack Reynolds |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/ReynJa00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Arron Sears, former guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2007 NFL All-Rookie team{{Cite web |title=Arron Sears |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SearAr20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Heath Shuler, former quarterback for the Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints{{Cite web |title=Heath Shuler |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShulHe00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- JT Smith, former safety for the Phoenix Cardinals{{Cite web |title=JT Smith |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitJT00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Donté Stallworth, wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns and former wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, and New England Patriots{{Cite web |title=Donté Stallworth |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StalDo00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Haskel Stanback, former running back for the Atlanta Falcons{{Cite web |title=Haskel Stanback |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StanHa00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Travis Stephens, former running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers{{Cite web |title=Travis Stephens |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StepTr01.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- James Stewart, former running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions{{Cite web |title=James Stewart |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StewJa00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Luke Stocker, tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Bob Suffridge, guard, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Steagles{{Cite web |title=Bob Suffridge |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SuffBo20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Cameron Sutton, defensive back for the Detroit Lions{{Cite web |title=Cameron Sutton |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SuttCa00.htm |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
- Trey Teague, former center for the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills, Super Bowl Champion (1998){{Cite web |title=Trey Teague |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TeagTr20.htm |access-date=April 14, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Raynoch Thompson, former linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals{{Cite web |title=Raynoch Thompson |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomRa23.htm |access-date=April 15, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Jonathan Wade, defensive back for the St. Louis Rams{{Cite web |title=Jonathan Wade |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WadeJo99.htm |access-date=April 15, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Darwin Walker, defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers and former Chicago Bears{{Cite web |title=Darwin Walker |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WalkDa21.htm |access-date=April 15, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Kelley Washington, wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens{{Cite web |title=Kelley Washington |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WashKe00.htm |access-date=April 15, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Fred Weary, guard for the Houston Texans{{Cite web |title=Fred Weary |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WearFr20.htm |access-date=April 15, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Scott Wells, center for the St. Louis Rams{{Cite web |title=Scott Wells |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WellSc20.htm |access-date=April 15, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Eric Westmoreland, former linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars{{Cite web |title=Eric Westmoreland |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WestEr20.htm |access-date=April 15, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Reggie White, former defensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and the Carolina Panthers, 13× Pro Bowl selection (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998), 10× First-Team All-Pro selection (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998), 3× Second-Team All-Pro selection (1994, 1996, 1997), Super Bowl champion (XXXI), 2× NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1987, 1998){{Cite web |title=Reggie White |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WhitRe00.htm |access-date=April 15, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Ron Widby, former punter for the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, 2x Pro Bowl selection (1969, 1971){{Cite web |title=Ron Widby |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WidbRo20.htm |access-date=April 15, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Billy Williams, former wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams{{Cite web |title=BILLY WILLIAMS |url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/will01730.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129015530/http://www.profootballarchives.com/will01730.html |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |access-date=November 14, 2014 |publisher=profootballarchives.com}}
- Jordan Williams, former defensive end for the NY Giants{{Cite web |title=Jordan Williams |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillJo05.htm |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
- Al Wilson, former linebacker for the Denver Broncos, 5× Pro Bowl selection (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006), 2× All-Pro selection (2005, 2006){{Cite web |title=Al Wilson |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilsAl00.htm |access-date=April 15, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Cedrick Wilson, former wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl champion (XL){{Cite web |title=Cedrick Wilson |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilsCe00.htm |access-date=April 15, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Gibril Wilson, defensive back for the Miami Dolphins, Super Bowl champion (XLII){{Cite web |title=Gibril Wilson |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilsGi20.htm |access-date=April 15, 2014 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
- Jason Witten, tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, 7× Pro Bowl selection (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010), All-Pro selection (2007, 2008, 2010), 2× NFL Alumni Tight End of the Year (2007, 2010){{Cite web |title=Jason Witten |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WittJa00.htm |access-date=July 15, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
Future opponents
=Conference opponents=
From 1992 to 2023, Tennessee played in the East Division of the SEC and played each opponent in the division each year along with several teams from the West Division. In 2024, the SEC expanded the conference to 16 teams and eliminated its two divisions, causing a new scheduling format for the Volunteers to play against the other members of the conference. After initially only releasing the 2024 schedule, the 2025 schedule was announced at SEC Media Days with further scheduling information to come{{cite web | title=SEC establishes 2025 football schedule format | website=Southeastern Conference | date=2023-11-15 | url=https://www.secsports.com/news/2024/03/sec-establishes-2025-football-schedule-format | access-date=2024-10-21}} Only the 2025 conference schedule was announced on March 20, 2024, while the conference still considers a new format for the future.
==2025 Conference Schedule==
{{CFB schedule
|{{CFB schedule entry
| away = y
| opponent = Alabama
| site_stadium = Bryant Denny Stadium
| site_cityst = Tuscaloosa, AL
| gamename = Third Saturday in October
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| opponent = Arkansas
| site_stadium = Neyland Stadium
| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| away = y
| opponent = Florida
| site_stadium = Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
| site_cityst = Gainesville, FL
| gamename = rivalry
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| opponent = Georgia
| site_stadium = Neyland Stadium
| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN
| gamename = rivalry
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| away = y
| opponent = Kentucky
| site_stadium = Kroger Field
| site_cityst = Lexington, KY
| gamename = rivalry
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| away = y
| opponent = Mississippi State
| site_stadium = Davis Wade Stadium
| site_cityst = Starkville, MS
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| opponent = Oklahoma
| site_stadium = Neyland Stadium
| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| opponent = Vanderbilt
| site_stadium = Neyland Stadium
| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN
| gamename = rivalry
}}
}}
=Non-conference opponents=
Announced schedules as of April 9, 2025.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Volunteers Football Schedules and Future Schedules |url=http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/sec/tennessee-volunteers.php |access-date=April 9, 2025|publisher=fbschedules.com}}
class="wikitable" |
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Tennessee Volunteers|2025|2026|2027|2028|2029|2030}} |
vs. Syracuse (Atlanta)
| Furman | vs. West Virginia (Charlotte) | at Washington |
ETSU
| at Georgia Tech | | | |
UAB
| | | | |
New Mexico State
| | | | | |
Notes and references
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Official website}}
{{Tennessee Volunteers football navbox}}
{{University of Tennessee, Knoxville}}
{{Southeastern Conference football navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tennessee Volunteers Football}}