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Tennessee football’s top 10 NFL DEs ever

By Caleb Calhoun

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 19: Defensive lineman Reggie White #92 of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the sideline before a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on November 19, 1995 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Packers defeated the Browns 31-20. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 19: Defensive lineman Reggie White #92 of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the sideline before a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on November 19, 1995 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Packers defeated the Browns 31-20. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images /

1980-1983. Reggie White. Pick Analysis. Years in NFL: 15. 1. player. 839. Scouting Report

Teams played for:

  • Philadelphia Eagles, 1985-1992
  • Green Bay Packers, 1993-1998
  • Carolina Panthers, 2000

Doug Atkins and Reggie White coming from one school is a huge accomplishment for Tennessee football. There’s a reason both of their jersey numbers are retired on Rocky Top. White played for Johnny Majors from 1980 to 1983, and he set the career record for sacks with 32, later broken by Derek Barnett, while also setting the single-season mark that still holds with 15 in 1983.

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After his All-American campaign that year, which saw him register all those sacks as a defensive tackle, White didn’t even go to the NFL at first. He played for the Memphis Showboats in the USFL for two seasons before it folded and then joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 1985.

With his 6’5″ 291-pound frame, White spent time at defensive end and defensive tackle his first two years, and he even made the Pro Bowl as a defensive tackle in 1986. However, the Minister of Defense became a full-time defensive end in 1987, and he began a Hall-of-Fame career after that.

White thrived in Buddy Ryan’s defensive schemes despite never reaching a Super Bowl with Philly. He then joined the rising Green Bay Packers and Brett Favre under Mike Holmgreen in 1993, and then he won a Super Bowl while reaching two in 1996 and 1997.

From 1986 to 1998, White made a Pro Bowl and made earned All-Pro honors every year. He was also a First-Team All-Pro lineman every year from 1986 to 1991 and then earned the honor again in 1995 and 1998. In 1987 and 1998, he was NFL Defensive Player of the Year. After retiring that year, he came out to spend one season with the Carolina Panthers in 2000.

Vols top 10 single seasons of all time. dark. Next

Over his 15-year career, White set the NFL record for sacks with 198, later broken by Bruce Smith. He had 1,111 total tackles, 33 forced fumbles, 20 fumble recoveries and three interceptions while appearing in 232 games, starting in 228 of them. White passed away in 2004, but he remains one of the greatest legends in Tennessee football history.

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

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