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Tennessee football: Johnny Majors all-time depth chart

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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Defensive End

1. Chuck Smith (Strongside), 1990-1991

Joining Chris Mims on the defensive line was Chuck Smith, as both were junior college transfers who helped Tennessee football win an SEC Championship in 1990. Smith would easily be the top end, as he had 13.5 sacks in two years.

While the offensive line was the show, Smith and Mims made sure the defensive line became a surprise success. Like Mims, Smith went on to enjoy a nine-year NFL career, and he even earned All-Pro honors in 1997.

2. Dale Jones (Weakside), 1983-1986

Dale Jones was an All-SEC outside linebacker in 1985, when secured the game-winning interception to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide en route to helping UT to the SEC title. Ken Donahue moved Jones to defensive end in 1986, and he earned All-SEC honors again.

As a result, Jones is more of an original edge rusher. He’d be the starting weakside defensive end for Johnny Majors’ all-time team. For his career, he had 350 tackles, 15.5 sacks, 39.5 tackles for a loss and 11 forced fumbles. So he was a star playmaker, even if he only spent one year in the NFL.

3. Mike Cofer, 1979-1982

One of the early stars in Majors’ tenure, Mike Cofer would be the backup to Jones on the weakside. He also played outside linebacker and moved over to end a lot. In the NFL, where he spent 10 years, he became a Pro Bowl defensive end. Cofer helped the Vols improve under Majors and had 237 tackles, five sacks, 12 tackles for a loss and nine forced fumbles.

4. Tracy Hayworth, 1986-1989

Starting opposite Marion Hobby on the SEC Championship team in 1989, Tracy Hayworth and Hobby were both directly replaced by Smith and Mims, who won another title, in 1990. Hayworth had 21.5 tackles for a loss and 154 total tackles. He was a big part of UT’s late 1980s success, and then he had a six-year pro career. So he’d be perfect off the bench in this system.

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