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Tennessee football’s 10 RBs with greatest NFL careers

By Caleb Calhoun

BALTIMORE - DECEMBER 28: Running back Jamal Lewis #31 of the Baltimore Ravens on the sideline during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 28, 2003 at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens won 13-10 in overtime. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE - DECEMBER 28: Running back Jamal Lewis #31 of the Baltimore Ravens on the sideline during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 28, 2003 at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens won 13-10 in overtime. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Danny Moloshok/Getty Images
Photo by Danny Moloshok/Getty Images /

10. Pick Analysis. 1995-1998. Shawn Bryson. 839. Scouting Report. Years in NFL: 8. player

Teams played for:

  • Buffalo Bills, 1999-2002
  • Detroit Lions, 2003-2006

From 1995 to 1998, Tennessee football had a running back set the single-season rushing record, another running back become a freshman All-American and a third running back take over after that freshman got hurt as a sophomore, only to eventually become the school’s all-time leading rusher. However, Shawn Bryson was a consistent reason for the success all of them had.

Bryson spent four years as the key fullback, and in the 1998 national championship season, he had the first touchdown run in UT’s key regular season over the Florida Gators and caught the first touchdown in the title game against the Florida State Seminoles. A leader with incredible strength and speed, Bryson was the ultimate team player.

That attitude turned him into a very good NFL player. Initially drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round, Bryson shockingly emerged as a guy who could double as a running back and fullback with his 6’1″ 228-pound frame. As a result, he led the team in rushing with 591 yards in 2000 and had nearly 900 yards from scrimmage that year along with two touchdowns.

After four years with Buffalo, Bryson spent four years with the Detroit Lions and had a career-high 606 rushing yards and 946 yards from scrimmage in 2003. He finished his career with 2,144 rushing yards and 3,527 yards from scrimmage along with nine total touchdowns, which is highly impressive for a guy who played fullback. He was also a great blocker, being a complete player.

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