Offensive Guard
1. Harry Galbreath (RG), 1984-1987
Since Phillip Fulmer was a guard, it’s no surprise he produced three All-Americans at that position coaching Tennessee football’s offensive line in the 1980s. The best of that bunch was the late Harry Galbreath, whom Johnny Majors called the most dominating run blocker he ever coached.
Galbreath was a big reason for Reggie Cobb having a historically great season in 1987 and the Vols withstanding the loss of Johnnie Jones in 1984 and Tony Robinson midway through 1985. With a nine-year NFL career, it’s no secret he’d be the top guard for Majors.
2. Bill Mayo (LG), 1981-1984
The first All-American offensive lineman Phillip Fulmer ever coached, Bill Mayo was a huge reason for Jones becoming Tennessee football’s all-time leading rusher at the time of his departure in 1984. He was a superstar blocker and would be the other starting guard here.
Mayo was a two-time All-SEC blocker and had a huge hand in helping build Majors’ program on Rocky Top in the early 1980s. Funny enough, he didn’t really have any NFL career, but he did enough in college to easily become a starter.
3. Eric Still, 1986-1989
We had to leave one All-American out of the starting lineup, but Eric Still would just barely be the Vols’ first guard off the bench. Still joined Charles McRae and Antone Davis in 1989, when he became an All-American, to truly make for an elite line to turn Cobb and CHuck Webb into stars. Like Mayo, he didn’t have any pro career, but his college production was enough.
4. Tom Myslinski, 1988-1991
This came down to Raleigh McKenzie, John Bruhn and Tom Myslinski. McKenzie was probably the most talented, given his 16-year NFL career, but he converted there late in college. As a result, Myslinski, who did have a nine-year pro career, makes the list. Myslinski played with Still, McRae and Davis as well. This explains why Cobb, Webb and Thompson were all stars in 1989 and 1990.