Tennessee football: Assembling the all-time Phil Fulmer team

Tennessee Football All-Time Phil Fulmer Team Defensive Line

Shaun Ellis (1996-1999)
John Henderson (1998-2001)
Albert Haynesworth (1998-2001)

Much like the guys on the offensive line, the thing that stands out the most for the best Tennessee football defensive lineman under Phil Fulmer is that they all played together, at least for a few years.

In fact, John Henderson and Albert Haynesworth spent their entire Vols football careers together. Both Henderson and Haynesworth were on the 1998 National Championship team and that’s likely not a coincidence.

Before he went on to a long successful NFL career, Ellis forged some eye-popping numbers with the Volunteers. He finished his time in Knoxville with 105 tackles, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and one interception that he made the most of as he returned it for 90 yards to score a touchdown.

John Henderson might have helped his squad to a title in 1998, but he got even better as his college football career continued. That included winning the Outland Trophy following the 2020 season.

Finally came Haynesworth, who compiled 66 tackles, five sacks, 31 quarterback pressures, 20 tackles for a loss, and nine pass deflections, all while lining up next to Henderson. Once he was done playing for Phil Fulmer, Haynesworth was the 15th overall selection in the 2002 draft and played 10 years in the NFL.