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Tennessee football’s top five place kickers in history

By Caleb Calhoun

10 OCT 1992: TENNESSEE KICKER JOHN BECKSVOORT CELEBRATES AFTER KICKING A FIELD GOAL DURING THE VOLUNTEERS 25-24 LOSS TO THE ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE AT NEYLAND STADIUM IN KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Murphy-Racey/ALLSPORT
10 OCT 1992: TENNESSEE KICKER JOHN BECKSVOORT CELEBRATES AFTER KICKING A FIELD GOAL DURING THE VOLUNTEERS 25-24 LOSS TO THE ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE AT NEYLAND STADIUM IN KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Murphy-Racey/ALLSPORT /
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Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images /

839. Pick Analysis. 3. player. Scouting Report. 2003-2006. FG%: 72 XP%: 98.7. James Wilhoit

  • 4 50-plus yard field goals in his career
  • never missed more than one field goal within 40 yards each of his final threeyears
  • 14-of-27 on field goals beyond 40 yards

James Wilhoit is in the top 10 in career field goal percentage in Tennessee football history. He also probably has the most reliable leg on long kicks. That combined with his overall reliability and clutch performances is why he makes this list. In fact, you could make a case for him to be even higher on this list.

After an inconsistent freshman campaign, Wilhoit never missed more than one field goal attempt inside 40 yards in a season during his sophomore, junior and senior years. He was above 50 percent on field goals beyond 40 yards during that time as well, only getting better each year he was on scholarship which is a huge deal.

Wilhoit also nailed four 50-yarders in his career, including his first attempt in 2003 at the Florida Gators. Speaking of Florida, we all know about him nailing a 50-yarder to beat Florida 30-28 in 2004. That came after he missed an extra point, but he redeemed himself and proved he was a clutch performer.

To a lesser degree, Wilhoit showed his clutch gene with the game-tying field goal at the LSU Tigers in 2005 during that epic comeback. Simply put, Wilhoit came through when it mattered and was a beacon of reliability. As a result, he belongs on this list. His most memorable kicks were early in his career, but combine that with his senior year being so great, and he had an elite career.

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