5. 2001
Phillip Fulmer
Number of NFL Draft picks: 5
- Travis Henry, RB (Buffalo Bills: Round 2, Pick 58)
- Eric Westmoreland, LB (Jacksonville Jaguars: Round 3, Pick 73)
- David Leaverton, P (Jacksonville Jaguars: Round 5, Pick 142)
- Cedrick Wilson, WR (San Francisco 49ers: Round 6, Pick 169)
- David Martin, TE (Green Bay Packers: Round 6, Pick 198)
After the 2000 NFL Draft, which saw five Tennessee football players leave early, a drop-off was natural in 2001. These were the final members of that elite 1997 recruiting class that played a huge role in the 1998 national title. Because of the transitions, the Vols rebuilt in 2000 with an 8-4 record, setting the state for the future.
Helping the young team in the process, most notably, was Travis Henry, who became the all-time leading rusher that year after splitting time with Jamal Lewis the previous year. Henry became a solid player for the Buffalo Bills and eventually Tennessee Titans, making the Pro Bowl one year.
Cedrick Wilson was an undersized but reliable hands guy, and he had a seven-year career, winning a Super Bowl title in 2005 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a result, Wilson finished his football career with a state championship, a national championship and a Super Bowl ring.
The star of this class in the pros, though, was David Martin, who played for 11 years. Eric Westmoreland had a decent two years as well, while David Leaverton never made it at the next level. All five guys were crucial players on the 2000 team, with Wilson and Henry as the go-to skill players on offense.