Tennessee football: Assembling the all-time Phil Fulmer team

Tennessee Football All-Time Phil Fulmer Team Linebackers

Al Wilson (1995-1998)
Jerod Mayo (2005-2007)
Kevin Burnett (2001-2004)

The Tennessee football All-Time Phil Fulmer Team’s entries at linebacker are interesting because one of them played right at the end of the legendary coach’s run in Knoxville. That player was Jerod Mayo, who graduated one year before Fulmer was dismissed from the school.

His exceptional play during his junior season in 2007 earned him All-SEC honors and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award. That year he recorded a whopping 140 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception. The year before that he “only” had 83 tackles, but 12.5 of those were for a loss and he had five sacks.

Al Wilson’s ability to read plays, shed blocks, and deliver bone-crushing hits made him one of the most feared linebackers in the SEC. His exceptional performances earned him All-SEC and All-American honors, and he played a crucial role in the Vols’ run to the 1998 national championship.

Kevin Burnett was a dynamic linebacker for Tennessee football who excelled in both run defense and pass coverage. His athleticism, speed, and instincts allowed him to make plays from sideline to sideline. Burnett displayed excellent coverage skills, making him effective in defending against tight ends and running backs in the passing game.