Tennessee football: Vols top 30 players since 1998 national championship

One of the most versatile offensive linemen in Tennessee football history, Arron Sears started games at tackle, guard and center. He entered the starting lineup late his freshman year against the Mississippi State Bulldogs and was part of an offense that put up 59 points, while Casey Clausen threw for five touchdown passes.

Over the next three years, Sears became a staple up front. In 2004, Sears actually started at guard and helped the Vols generate two 1,000-yard rushers in Gerald Riggs Jr. and Cedric Houston. He was part of an elite line overall and accepted his role. Protecting the two freshman quarterbacks, Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer, were key that year. He had to help for Rick Clausen, as well.

The next year, as the offensive line was out of shape and fell apart in the bust of a 2005 season, Sears was one of the few bright spots. It wasn’t his fault that Erik Ainge’s confidence was shot, Riggs got hurt at running back and Clausen couldn’t throw the ball.

Add in the fact that guys like Albert Toeaina showed a complete lack of interest in the team’s success, Sears was left to carry the line as best he could. It was a disaster, but Sears did his part to earn All-SEC.

In his senior season, while the interior line was trying to get the run game going, Sears became the best blocker in the SEC on the outside. Fulmer spent that year consistently criticizing his offensive line play, but touting Sears specifically. It was clear he was right, as Sears earned All-American honors that year. A two-year stint in the NFL followed.