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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 Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images /

839. 3. Defensive Lineman. 2004-2005. Jesse Mahelona. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

Entering 2004, Tennessee football’s defensive line was an issue. After arguably the greatest defensive line in history in 2001 with John Henderson and Albert Haynesworth, Phillip Fulmer had to replace every member of the line in 2002 and once again in 2003. This year, he would have to do it with everybody again except for defensive end Parys Haralson.

A little desperate, Fulmer turned to Jesse Mahelona, a 6’2″ 300-pound defensive tackle from Hawaii. Mahelona arrived on Rocky Top from Orange Coast Community College in Costa Mesa, Calif., and his impact was felt immediately.

In two years, Mahelona appeared in every game for the Vols. He earned All-American honors in 2004, helping UT win the SEC East with 42 tackles, five sacks and 18.5 tackles for a loss. A mark f Mahelona’s talent was his ability to wrap guys up by the ankles and make sure they would not be able to break free.

Mahelona followed that up with a drop-off in 2005, as he drew more focus from blockers, but he still had 35 tackles, two sacks, eight tackles for a loss and a forced fumble. Focus on him freed up other guys, and he helped the Vols create a historically great defense. However, the offense was historically bad, a reverse from 2012, so that team went 5-6.

Anyway, Mahelona only spent two years in the NFL, first with the Tennessee Titans and then the Atlanta Falcons, but he never really panned out at that level. He was tragically killed in a car crash in 2009. As a college player, though, he was unstoppable and should be remembered for that.

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