All for Tennessee
Fansided

Top 10 NFL careers of Tennessee football LBs

By Caleb Calhoun

31 Oct 1999: Al Wilson #56 of the Denver Broncos celebrates on the field during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Vikings defeated the Broncos 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
31 Oct 1999: Al Wilson #56 of the Denver Broncos celebrates on the field during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Vikings defeated the Broncos 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport /
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Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty Images
Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty Images /

2002-2005. Years in NFL: 8. 10. Scouting Report. player. 839. Pick Analysis. Omar Gaither

Teams played for:

  • Philadelphia Eagles; 2006-2010
  • Carolina Panthers; 2011
  • Oakland Raiders; 2012
  • Atlanta Falcons; 2013

In 2005, Tennessee football had one of the best front sevens in the nation. Omar Gaither, who started his final two years on Rocky Top. Of course, that year was wasted by a bad offense, but Gaither had 170 total tackles, six sacks and another 13.5 tackles for a loss during that time. He also forced five fumbles and had two interceptions during that time.

Given his production, the 6’2″ 235-pound Charlotte, N.C. native was taken in the NFL Draft, but the Vols’ lack of production in 2005 sent him down to the fifth round. Immediately, Gaither became a regular contributor, and he became the full-time starter at middle linebacker in 2010. In five years with Philly, he helped them make four playoff appearances behind three different quarterbacks.

After that run, Gaither became a journeyman linebacker. he spent a year with the Carolina Panthers, playing in his home state of North Carolina, and in 2012, he signed with the Houston Texans but was released, then joining the Oakland Raiders later that year. The Raiders then released him the next summer, and he signed with the Atlanta Falcons to finish his career.

Over his eight years in the pros, Gaither appeared in 92 games and started 45 of them. He had six career sacks, another 24 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 344 tackles, 264 of which were solo. After a solid period of production in Philly, he did just enough to make this list.

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