9. 1982 – Johnny Majors
1981 record: 8-4 (3-3) W Garden State Bowl
Number of NFL Draft picks: 4
- Anthony Hancock, WR (Kansas City Chiefs: Round 1; Pick 11)
- Brian Ingram, LB (New England Patriots: Round 4; Pick 111)
- Lamont Jeffers, LB (Washington Redskins: Round 6; Pick 153)
- Terry Daniels, DB (Washington Redskins: Round 10, Pick 265)
There are other Tennessee football draft classes on here with fewer people taken than Johnny Major’s 1982 class, but this class did not have a lot of NFL productivity. Despite Anthony Hancock finishing his career on Rocky Top with over 1,800 receiving yards and 14 total touchdowns, he only lasted five years in the pros with the Kansas City Chiefs, even as a first-rounder.
Meanwhile, Brian Ingram only lasted five years as well, playing four with the New England Patriots and one with the San Diego Chargers. He did play in 15 games on that New England team that went to the Super Bowl in 1985, but he was gone after that year.
While Hancock and Ingram combined for 10 years and there were four players drafted, Lamont Jeffers and Terry Daniels never saw action in the pros. They wouldn’t be the last draft picks from Rocky Top the Washington Redskins regretted taking. Anybody remember Heath Shuler?
Nonetheless, the 10 years from the other two kept this group from being in last place. NFL productivity along with raw numbers was enough. This was coming off Majors’ first eight-win team with the Vols, but he’d have greater success in later years.