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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 George Rose/Getty Images
Photo by George Rose/Getty Images /

1990-1991. Chris Mims. 8. 839. Pick Analysis. Defensive Lineman. player. Scouting Report

Back in 1990, Tennessee football was coming off an 11-1 season and an SEC Championship. However, the Vols lost a ton of talent on defense. Not wanting to waste a year of great talent on offense, Johnny Majors went heavily in on the junior college route for guys on that side of the ball, and one of the players he turned to was Chris Mims.

In his first two college years, Mims was at two separate junior colleges in Southern California: Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. and Los Angeles Southwest Junior College in LA. He then joined the Vols in 1990, and he immediately became a superstar defensive lineman. At 6’5″ 300 pounds, Mims was notable for his ability to line up on the inside or the outside.

Mims helped UT repeat as SEC Champions in 1990 with 41 tackles, three and a half sacks, five and a half tackles for a loss and eight passes broken up. He then exploded onto the scene in 1991 with 49 tackles, six sacks, 14 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries and four passes broken up. Simply put, the guy had become a star.

Part of what helped Mims succeed was the Vols’ transition to a 4-3 thanks to the arrival of defensive coordinator Larry Lacewell in 1990. Lacewell focused on power around the edges. That success allowed Mims to enjoy an eight-year NFL career with three separate teams. He tragically passed away in 2008, but he was a Vol legend.

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