All for Tennessee
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 10
Next
Tennessee kicker Alex Walls is congratulated by John Henderson after making a field goal.Alex Walls
Tennessee kicker Alex Walls is congratulated by John Henderson after making a field goal.Alex Walls /

Defensive lineman. John Henderson. player. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 1999-2001. 2

Winning the Outland Trophy in 2000 and earning All-American honors in 2000 and 2001 with Tennessee football should put John Henderson in the Hall.

It’s already been established that being a two-time All-American should automatically get a player in the College Football Hall of Fame. However, if you’re a two-time All-American who won a prestigious award, you should move up even more. This applies to John Henderson, the best player on the Vols in the early 2000s.

Henderson anchored an interior line with Albert Haynesworth in 2000 and 2001 to make up arguably the best defensive tackle duo in college football history. Make no mistake, though, Henderson was the star. He emerged in 1999, playing all 12 games and starting the final eight, after an injury to Billy Ratliff, and had four sacks.

The next year, he became a breakout star for Tennessee football, coming away with an incredible 12 sacks as a defensive tackle. That combined with other production won him the Outland Trophy for the nation’s best interior lineman, and as he won it, he announced he’d return for his senior season, which should boost his resume.

In 2001, Henderson battled injuries, but he was still the emotional leader of the team, and he was still productive enough to earn All-American honors again. That put him in league with Steve DeLong, who won the Outland and was a two-time All-American. DeLong is also in the College Football Hall of Fame. Henderson should be in too.

Home/Vols Football