Ranking all Tennesse football QBs to start for Johnny Majors
Scouting Report. 1977. 839. Pick Analysis. 24-5-2. Andy Kelly. 1. player
There’s no debate about this one. Andy Kelly was a backup to Jeff Francis as a freshman on the 1988 team that went 5-6. In 1989, he was backup Sterling Henton through the first six games. But he then became a star.
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We already mentioned Tennessee football benching Henton in the middle of their game against the Alabama Crimson Tide due to the need for a more vertical, downfield attack with Reggie Cobb’s dismissal. Kelly came in that game and helped the team score 30 points in a loss. However, he became the starter the rest of the way.
A backfield that began the season with Henton and Reggie Cobb was now about Kelly and Chuck Webb. Oh, and there were elite receivers like Anthony Morgan, Carl Pickens and Alvin Harper. Kelly led UT to an 11-1 record, an SEC Championship, a Cotton Bowl victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks and a top five finish. This was the season that proved the Vols arrived under Majors.
The next year, Kelly continued his success under offensive coordinator Phillip Fulmer, going 9-2-2 and winning a second straight SEC title while also winning the Sugar Bowl. In 1991, he went 9-3 as a senior, highlight by the Miracle at South Bend, when the Vols came back from being down 31-7 at the No. 5 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish to win 35-34.
Next. 10 toughest Vols to replace for 2020. dark
A staple of Kelly’s success was being able to keep Tennessee football in every game, no matter the opponent or the deficit. He finished his career with two SEC titles and held every school passing record at the time, completing 60.8 percent of his passes for 6,397 yards and 36 touchdowns. His play was the pinnacle of Johnny Majors’ success on Rocky Top.
For more posts remembering Johnny Majors’ accomplishments on Rocky Top as a player and coach for Tennessee football, please click here.