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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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Dale Carter #18, Defensive Back for the University of Tennessee Volunteers runs the ball during the NCAA Southeastern Conference college football game against the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish on 9 November 1991 at the Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. The Tennessee Volunteers won the game 35 – 34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Allsport/Getty Images)
Dale Carter #18, Defensive Back for the University of Tennessee Volunteers runs the ball during the NCAA Southeastern Conference college football game against the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish on 9 November 1991 at the Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. The Tennessee Volunteers won the game 35 – 34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Allsport/Getty Images) /

Defensive back. 1990-91. Dale Carter. 4. 839. Scouting Report. player. Pick Analysis

Transferring to Tennessee football from junior college, Dale Carter was an All-American both years he played for the Vols.

Being a two-year player may make it difficult to reach the College Football Hall of Fame. However, what Dale Carter did during those two years was nothing short of spectacular. He arrived on Rocky Top in 1990 after two years at Ellsworth Junior College in Iowa Falls, Iowa, and he immediately became a breakout star.

It all really began against the Florida Gators that year. This was the game that marked the start of Tennessee football’s rivalry with Florida, as it was Steve Spurrier’s first year, and they have played annually ever since. Carter returned a kickoff return for a touchdown in the first half. He also had two interceptions as the Vols won 45-3.

Carter also had the key interception to set the Vols up for their game-winning touchdown in 1991 at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, coming back from 31-7 down to win 35-34 in the Miracle at South Bend. He was just that type of elite player.

For his career, Carter had 44 kickoff returns, averaging 25.7 yards a return, and 53 punt returns, averaging just under 10 yards a return, while running that one kickoff back for a score. He also had nine interceptions and a pick-six. With back to back All-American seasons, he is a Hall of Famer.

In 2018, Carter was inducted to the Junior College Hall of Fame for what he did in 1988 and 1989. It’s time he reaches the College Football Hall of Fame as well, and no serious person can pretend his two years at UT don’t warrant reaching that level.

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