Number of NFL Draft picks: 6
- Round 1: Jack Reynolds – Los Angeles Rams (Pick 22)
- Round 3: Steve Kiner – Dallas Cowboys (Pick 73)
- Round 9: Herman Weaver – Detroit Lions (Pick 227)
- Round 10: Pete Athas – Dallas Cowboys (Pick 257)
- Round 15: Ken DeLong – Dallas Cowboys (Pick 387)
- Round 16: Frank Yanossy – Pittsburgh Steelers (Pick 391)
When Doug Dickey took over Tennessee football in the mid-1960s, he revitalized the program with the T-formation, integrating the Vols and establishing new traditions like Running Through the T, the Vol Walk and the Power T on the helmet. The result was a wealth of talent coming to the program in the final three of his six years on Rocky Top.
In 1969, he won his second SEC Championship in two years and, if not for an embarrassing loss to Archie Manning and the Ole Miss Rebels, may have won the national title. Still, this team was loaded, and as he left for the Florida Gators, numerous players left for the pros.
Both linebackers thrived. Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds had a 15-year career with two Pro Bowls and, over his final four years with the San Francisco 49ers, two Super Bowls. Steve Kiner, whose mouth lost them that Ole Miss game, had an eight-year career: One with the Dallas Cowboys, two with the New England Patriots and five with the Houston Oilers. He didn’t make a roster in 1972.
Punter Herman Weaver, meanwhile, had an 11-year career, seven with the Detroit Lions and four with the Seattle Seahawks. Cornerback Pete Athas played four years with the New York Giants, half a season with the Cleveland Browns, half a season with the Minnesota Vikings and one year with the New Orleans Saints.
Tight end Ken DeLong and defensive tackle Frank Yanossy didn’t log any minutes Still, this was a loaded class in terms of draft picks and NFL success, and it speaks to what Dickey was able to build entering the 1970s.