NFL Draft: Vols five most productive classes with two or fewer selections

3. 1957

Number of NFL Draft picks: 2

Notable players: 

• John Gordy, OL (Detroit Lions: Round 2; Pick 24)
• Frank Kolinsky, OL (Pittsburgh Steelers: Round 28; Pick 329)

Before the merger, Tennessee football was coming off what would be its most successful season in the post-Robert Neyland era until 1989. The Vols won the SEC Championship in 1956 and went 10-0 in the regular season, and Johnny Majors was robbed of a Heisman Trophy. The lack of respect for this team’s players carried over into the pros as well.

Only two Vols were taken in the NFL Draft, and this was at a time when the draft had 30 rounds and 360 overall selections. Both of the draft picks, by the way, were offensive linemen as well, which probably shows why Majors was so successful as a back lining up behind them throughout the previous season.

Frank Kolinsky, who started at right tackle for the team, was drafted late by the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, like Majors, he gave up playing to become a coach, and he coached high school for two years before going into sales.

Gordy, however, carried this class. He was taken in the second round by the Detroit Lions and lived up to his hype. All 11 years of Gordy’s career were spent in Detroit, and he played a key role in them winning the NFL Championship his first year in the league. He also made three Pro Bowl appearances, which was enough for us to put this class on here.