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Tennessee football: Ranking Vols 10 NFL Draft classes after unranked bowl seasons

By Caleb Calhoun

NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Eric Berry (R) from the Tennessee Volunteers is greeted by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the Kansas City Chiefs selected Berry #5 overall in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Eric Berry (R) from the Tennessee Volunteers is greeted by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the Kansas City Chiefs selected Berry #5 overall in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images /

1. 2003 – Phillip Fulmer

2002 record: 8-5 (5-3); Peach Bowl

Number of NFL Draft picks: 8

  • Eddie Moore, LB (Miami Dolphins: Round 2; Pick 49)
  • Kelley Washington, WR (Cincinnati Bengals: Round 3; Pick 65)
  • Jason Witten, TE (Dallas Cowboys: Round 3; Pick 69)
  • Julian Battle, DB (Kansas City Chiefs: Round 3; Pick 92)
  • Aubrayo Franklin, DL (Baltimore Ravens: Round 5; Pick 146)
  • Keyon Whiteside, LB (Indianapolis Colts: Round 5; Pick 162)
  • Rashad Moore, DL (Seattle Seahawks: Round 6; Pick 183)
  • Demetrin Veal, DL (Atlanta Falcons: Round 7; Pick 238)

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To nobody’s surprise, Tennessee football’s best class was from a Phillip Fulmer class. And they came from a highly disappointing team. The 2002 Vols started the year ranked No. 5 and as favorites to win the SEC. They finished unranked for the first time in 14 years. However, the injury bug bit that year, which explains how they still loaded the NFL with talent.

Headlining this class is Jason Witten, who is the Reggie White of tight ends. He’s a Hall-of-Famer on his own, and after 16 years with the Dallas Cowboys, he’s about to begin his 17th, now with the Las Vegas Raiders. But as you will see with this class, it goes way deeper than the class White was a part of. Numerous players enjoyed solid tenures in the pros.

Aubrayo Franklin played in the pros for 11 years. Kelley Washington was there for eight years. Rashad Moore and Demetrin Veal each played for five years. Eddie Moore, Keyon Whiteside and Julian Battle all at least saw two years in the league. So every single player drafted did see action at this level, an impressive accomplishment.

Next. 10 toughest Vols to replace for 2020. dark

The combination of depth of productivity, a superstar to headline the group and the raw numbers, this having the most players of anybody on the list, makes Tennessee football’s 2003 NFL Draft class the best one of any class coming off an unranked bowl season. It won’t change after this year as well. UT doesn’t even have eight guys on the board.

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