Number of NFL Draft picks: 4
- Round 1: Stanley Morgan – New England Patriots (Pick 25)
- Round 4: Larry Seivers – Seattle Seahawks (Pick 111)
- Round 4: Mickey Marvin – Oakland Raiders (Pick 112)
- Round 5: Andy Spiva – St. Louis Cardinals (Pick 135)
Similar to Bowden Wyatt in the early 1960s, Bill Battle was desperately trying to keep Tennessee football afloat in the mid to late 1970s even as the program fell behind the times somewhat. An extreme early splash after inheriting elite talent from the Doug Dickey era faded once Condredge Holloway was gone.
At the end of the 1976 season, Battle was on the heels of two unranked finishes and no bowl appearances. UT moved on from him to bring home Johnny Majors, who had just won a national championship with the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Still, Battle left his mark, as his final draft class first established UT as Wide Receiver U. Larry Seivers was a two-time All-American at receiver but never logged any pro action. Stanley Morgan, though, even with no All-American accolades, was a first-rounder who spent 13 years in New England, and a 14th with the Indianapolis Colts. He made four Pro Bowls.
Guard Mickey Marvin enjoyed an 11-year career with the Raiders, logging 120 games and 108 starts while winning two Super Bowls. Andy Spiva had one year in the pros, playing for the Atlanta Falcons in 1977.
Although Robert Neyland’s 1941 draft class had higher picks, there was less competition and fewer rounds at that point. Battle’s four picks with a first-rounder is a bit more loaded when you account for everything, so it’s higher on the list.