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Tennessee football’s 10 DTs with best NFL careers

By Caleb Calhoun

The Titans Albert Haynesworth (92) leaves the field after the game. The Tennessee Titans defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 31 to 13 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 19, 2006. (Photo by Joseph Labolito/NFLPhotoLibrary)
The Titans Albert Haynesworth (92) leaves the field after the game. The Tennessee Titans defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 31 to 13 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 19, 2006. (Photo by Joseph Labolito/NFLPhotoLibrary) /
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Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 1999-2001. Years in NFL: 10. player. John Henderson. 1. 839

– 10, 146, 125

Teams played for:

  • Jacksonville Jaguars, 2002-2009
  • Oakland Raiders, 2010-2011

We talked about the guys Aubrayo Franklin and Rashad Moore had to replace during Tennessee football’s 2002 season. Well, those guys were John Henderson and Albert Haynesworth. It’s crazy that those two started on the 2001 team at defensive tackle together. They may be the greatest interior tandem in history.

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Henderson was the college star. After missing the 1998 season due to academic issues, injuries forced the Nashville product into the starting lineup in 1999. Then, he earned back to back All-American honors in 2000 and 2001 and the Outland Trophy in 2000. Oh, and he became a legend by deciding to stay for his senior season after winning that trophy.

Over three years, Henderson had 20.5 sacks, 38.5 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles and seven passes broken up. He was incredible, and it led him to being taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars the ninth pick of the 2002 NFL Draft.

Many people will better remember Haynesworth as the best of this duo. The numbers in the pros, however, don’t bear that out. Henderson joined with Marcus Stroud to create the toughest interior line in the NFL during his years in Jacksonville. At 6’7″ 335 pounds, he immediately became the starter and was a major force over an eight-year career there.

While in Jacksonville, Henderson made two playoff appearances. He then joined the Oakland Raiders in 2010, and in 2011, his winning mentality helped them just miss the playoffs. After 2011, he never played in the pros again, but he made his mark, not only as a player but as an emotional leader.

dark. Next. Top 10 junior college Vols of all time

One of Tennessee football’s greatest legends, Henderson finished his 10-year campaign with 492 tackles, 382 of which were solo. He also had 29 sacks, 89 tackles for a loss, 46 pass deflections and eight forced fumbles while reaching two Pro Bowls in 2004 and 2006. Simply put, this guy was a superstar and is the greatest pro defensive tackle in UT history.

For other posts ranking Tennessee football players at specific positions with the greatest NFL careers, please click here.

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