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Tennessee football: 10 Vols who should be in CFB Hall of Fame

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 10, 2009; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Eric Berry (14) celebrates with his family following their defeat of the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 45-19. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2009; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Eric Berry (14) celebrates with his family following their defeat of the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 45-19. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 1949-1951. Ted Daffer. Offensive lineman. 5. player. 839

Robert Neyland’s last two national titles with Tennessee football in 1950 and 1951 came with Ted Daffer starting at guard. He was an All-American both years.

A clear trend is emerging here, and we might as well point it out. Any Vol who was a two-time All-American should be in the Hall of Fame. Peyton Manning, Reggie White, Johnny Majors and Al Wilson are considered football royalty, and all of them are in the Hall despite only achieving All-American status one year on Rocky Top.

If you earn the honor from multiple services more than once, you should go. Ted Daffer fits that mold. In fact, he fits two criteria, as winning was also part of what he did. Tennessee football was selected national champions by multiple services in 1950 with an 11-1 record, and they earned the Consensus National Championship in 1951 with a 10-1 record.

The only reason they didn’t earn back to back SEC Championships is because they played one less game than Kentucky in 1950, so despite beating UK, they had to come in second. Still, Daffer was an underrated part of Robert Neyland’s final dynastic team. Doug Atkins and Hank Lauricella get more love from these teams, but Daffer was just as crucial.

Arriving in 1949, Daffer was part of helping Neyland revive his career after back to back .500 seasons in 1947 and 1948. He was All-SEC his first year as UT went 7-2-1 and finished No. 17. Then he was an All-American the next two years as the Vols won two national titles and 20 straight games. At guard, his blocking is what made Lauricella a star, so he should be in the Hall.

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