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Tennessee football: Ranking. previous eight WRs picked first in Vols draft classes

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 24, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) runs the ball after a successful catch during a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Caitie McMekin-USA TODAY NETWORK
Oct 24, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) runs the ball after a successful catch during a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Caitie McMekin-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Tennessee wingback Lester McClain (85) runs through the back of the end zone after catching a 12-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Scott against Florida during the 25th annual Gator Bowl Dec. 27, 1969. A record crowd of 72,248 watch Florida upset the SEC champion Vols 14-13.69then12 055
Tennessee wingback Lester McClain (85) runs through the back of the end zone after catching a 12-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Scott against Florida during the 25th annual Gator Bowl Dec. 27, 1969. A record crowd of 72,248 watch Florida upset the SEC champion Vols 14-13.69then12 055 /

Recently, Josh Palmer became the ninth wide receiver in Tennessee football history who was the first pick in a Vols draft class. He went in the third round to the Los Angeles Chargers, shockingly beating out Trey Smith, who fell to the sixth round. Nobody else from Rocky Top was drafted, making it the second straight year they had just two picks.

What does this mean for Palmer, though? UT once had a reputation of Wide Receiver U, and players would go early in the NFL Draft all the time. They had a period in the 1980s in which their top pick was a receiver four times in five years.

In this post, we’re going to rank the careers of those receivers to see what could be in store for Palmer. Not all of these players’ careers worked out, but almost all of them had somewhat of a run in the league. Let’s go ahead and see who Palmer compares to. This is our ranking of the eight Tennessee football receivers who were the top pick in a UT NFL Draft class.

Lester McClain. 57. Chicago Bears. 1971. 8. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

Round 9; Pick 220

The first African American to play for Tennessee football’s varsity squad and to log any significant time in SEC play, Lester McClain was a trailblazer. In his three years with Doug Dickey and Bill Battle, his teams went 28-5-1 with an SEC Championship, a top five finish, two top 10 finishes, three top 15 finishes. They made the Cotton, Gator and Sugar Bowls, winning the Sugar Bowl.

For his part, McClain had 70 catches and over 1,000 yards receiving with 10 touchdowns during that time, and he also had 123 rushing yards. His play was enough to get him selected by the Chicago Bears in the 1971 NFL Draft.

Not only was McClain the first Black player at UT, but he was also the first receiver to be the highest pick in a Vols’ draft class. You could say he actually started Wide Receiver U. McClain was one of just three Vols taken in the 1971 draft despite that epic 11-1 1970 year. However, his pro career in the NFL didn’t amount to anything, as he was cut before ever playing a game.

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