Tennessee football: Top 10 junior college Vols of all time

We already talked about Johnny Majors desperately going the junior college route to find talent in 1990. While Chuck Smith and Chris Mims helped on that front with the defensive line, Dale Carter became the crown jewel of Tennessee football’s elite junior college class. Coming from Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa, Carter immediately became a star.

More from Vols Football

• How to Win a GUARANTEED $200 Bonus Betting Just $5 on the Vols vs. Florida!
• Tennessee Football at Florida: Five Keys to a Vols Victory
• Week 3 SEC Power Rankings: Did Tennessee Football’s Win Help At All?
• Week 3 AP Polls: Why Did Tennessee Football Drop in the Polls?
• Tennessee Football: Top Five Performers in 30-13 Win vs. Austin Peay

Starting at cornerback and as a return specialist, Carter’s breakout game came against the Florida Gators in 1990. With the Vols leading 7-3 at halftime, Carter broke the game open by returning a kickoff for a touchdown to star the second half. He then reeled in two interceptions in a 45-3 win.

From that point on, Carter was a star. In two years with the Vols, he had nine interceptions, including a pick-six, and that return touchdown. He helped them repeat as SEC Champions in 1990, and he had the interception that set up the game-winning touchdown in the Miracle at South Bend against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 1991.

Carter’s efforts earned him back to back All-American honors, so he joins as the only two players in UT history to be All-Americans every single season they started for the Vols. That pretty much proves Carter was a junior college player who worked out.

After his college career, Carter spent 14 years in the NFL with five teams, making four Pro Bowls and earning two All-Pro honors. He also created a UT legacy, as his son, Nigel Warrior, joined Rocky Top in 2016 and just completed a great senior season in which he had four interceptions.