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Tennessee football: Top 10 Vols who played for Johnny Majors

By Caleb Calhoun

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 26: Wide receiver Carl Pickens #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Pigskin Classic at Anaheim Stadium on August 26, 1990 in Anaheim, California. The Buffs and Vols tied 31-31. (Photo by Bernstein Associates/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 26: Wide receiver Carl Pickens #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Pigskin Classic at Anaheim Stadium on August 26, 1990 in Anaheim, California. The Buffs and Vols tied 31-31. (Photo by Bernstein Associates/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images /

Scouting Report. 10. player. 839. Pick Analysis. Offensive Lineman. 1987-1990. Antone Davis

One of the main reasons Tennessee football burst onto the scene at the turn of the decade was due to the fact that they loaded up on the offensive line. That was helped by Phillip Fulmer, a longtime offensive line coach, becoming offensive coordinator in 1989. Of all those players, though, Antone Davis stood out among them.

A three-year starter for the Vols, Davis was one of the most versatile players on the line for Rocky Top. He first played left guard in 1988. However, he missed the first four games and was hobbled the next two, as Rocky Top fell to 0-6. Once he got to 100 percent, they won five straight.  In 1989, Davis moved to right tackled and anchored a line that produced three elite running backs.

First there was Reggie Cobb. Then he was dismissed, and Chuck Webb became a star. After Webb got hurt in 1990, Tony Thompson turned into an All-SEC running back. Five of the 10 best rushing games all time by UT running backs happened during those two years, including the top three: Webb twice in 1989 and Thompson in 1990.

Simply put, Davis was a superstar on the line, and he also blocked well for Andy Kelly, allowing the passing game to thrive. His play helped Johnny Majors and co. win back to back SEC Championships, and he was an All-American and Outland Trophy runner-up in 1990. These accomplishments make Davis one of the greatest players to ever be coached by Majors.

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