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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 Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images /

3. 2010 – Lane Kiffin

2009 record: 7-6 (4-4); Peach Bowl

Number of NFL Draft picks: 6

  • Eric Berry, DB (Kansas City Chiefs: Round 1; Pick 5)
  • Dan Williams, DL (Arizona Cardinals: Round 1; Pick 26)
  • Montario Hardesty, RB (Cleveland Browns: Round 2; Pick 59)
  • Jacques McClendon, OL (Indianapolis Colts: Round 4; Pick 129)
  • Chris Scott, OL (Pittsburgh Steelers: Round 5; Pick 151)
  • Jonathan Crompton, QB (San Diego Chargers: Round 5; Pick 168)

We go from the earliest player in our modern-era Mt. Rushmore of Tennessee football to the most recent player. Lane Kiffin’s only season brought a lot of fireworks for just a 7-6 team, but Eric Berry was the main headliner, winning the Thorpe Award and then being taken fifth in the draft. He’s had a Hall-of-Fame caliber and inspiring career, one we don’t have to sell.

Beyond Berry, though, Dan Williams made for two first-rounders, and he had a seven-year career with the Arizona Cardinals and Oakland Raiders, finishing his career with 222 total tackles. Chris Scott also had a successful run over seven in the league, playing in 45 games and starting in 12.

Jacques McClendon was a six-year journeyman and saw action in 25 games while starting in five. Jonathan Crompton was there for three years with three teams, and Montario Hardesty had a four-year career with the Cleveland Browns.

But then there’s undrafted free agent Morgan Cox. This guy is the best long snapper in the NFL and has spent 10 years with the Baltimore Ravens. He adds even more value to the class, which is way deeper than the class with Reggie White.

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