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Tennessee football: Top 10 junior college Vols of all time

By Caleb Calhoun

6 Sep 1997: Defensive tackle Leonard Little of the Tennessee Volunteers stands on the field during a game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Tennessee won the game 30-24.
6 Sep 1997: Defensive tackle Leonard Little of the Tennessee Volunteers stands on the field during a game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Tennessee won the game 30-24. /
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Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images /

Pick Analysis. Gibril Wilson. 9. Scouting Report. Defensive Back. 2002-2003. player. 839

After two years of underwhelming defensive back play, Tennessee football clearly needed some help in 2002. The Vols had Rashad Baker and Jabari Greer, but Willie Miles and Julian Battle would be seniors that year, so Phillip Fulmer turned to Wilson and Jason Allen to help shore up that unit. Wilson arrived a UT as a four-star junior from City College of San Francisco in California.

In 2002, Wilson began to develop despite a very disappointing season, as Rocky Top started the year ranked No. 5 and fell to 8-5 due to the injury bug biting. However, Wilson emerged onto the scene as the full-time strong safety in 2003, starting alongside Baker, Greer and Allen. He established himself as a star that tear.

The profile on Wilson at 6’0″ 206 pounds was his willingness to be a very physical player. In two years on Rocky Top, he had five and a half sacks, 13.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, 196 tackles and 17 passes broken up. One of his most famous plays was an epic hit against the Kentucky Wildcats in 2003.

However, Wilson’s best game was in the Vols’ key 10-6 win over the Miami Hurricanes. He came away with an interception late in that game as Miami was in the red zone and had a chance to win. That play proved crucial. Wilson then became a star safety with the New York Giants and helped them win a Super Bowl in 2007, enjoying an eight-year pro career with four teams.

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