Part III: Ranking Fulmer's recruiting classes

No. 1: 1997

This class was incredibly talented from top to bottom. Of 26 signees, 20 either completed their eligibility or left school early for the NFL. 10 signees from 1997 had significant NFL careers.

The class is best remembered for a trio of Georgia signees: offensive lineman Cosey Coleman, safety Deon Grant and tailback Jamal Lewis and their contributions to UT's 1998 national championship.

Other highlights included fullback Will Bartholomew, offensive linemen Cosey Coleman and Reggie Coleman, receiver Bobby Graham, tailback Travis Henry, defensive end DeAngelo Lloyd, defensive back Andre Lott, receivers David Martin and Eric Parker, tailback Travis Stephens, linebacker Dominique Stevenson, offensive lineman Fred Weary and receiver Cedrick Wilson.

If there is any knock on the 1997 class, it's attitude. After a disappointing season in 1999, Fulmer commented that some players were more concerned with the name on the back of their jersey instead of the "T" on the side of their helmet.

Although unspecified, Fulmer was alluding to some of the 1997 signees. Still, the elite talent was bountiful.

No. 2: 1994

This is the year when championship foundations were first laid.

Check out the headliners: defensive lineman Jonathan Brown, offensive lineman Jeff Coleman, defensive back Terry Fair, defensive tackle Ron Green, kicker Jeff Hall, offensive lineman Mercedes Hamilton, defensive back Steve Johnson, receivers Andy McCullough and Marcus Nash and offensive linemen Jarvis Reado and Diron Robinson.

Oh, and there was also a quarterback named Peyton Manning.

The 1994 class wasn't huge -- only 22 prospects -- but 14 completed their eligibility at UT. And two of the eventual absentees, quarterback Brandon Stewart and tailback Mark Levine, contributed before being pushed down the depth chart by more talented teammates.

The one big miss that UT fans still lament was talented tight end Dustin Moore, who was dismissed in February of 1997.

No. 3: 1995

Much like 1994, the 1995 class had top tier talent, such as fullback Shawn Bryson, offensive tackle Chad Clifton, receiver Jeremaine Copeland, offensive lineman Antron Peebles, receiver Peerless Price, defensive tackle Billy Ratliff, center Spencer Riley and safety Fred White.

The class also brought in what is widely considered the best on-field leader in Fulmer's tenure: linebacker Al Wilson. Defensive end/linebacker Leonard Little also returned after his junior college stopover.

The 1995 class, however, didn't have the depth of 1994. Of 20 signees, eight didn't complete their eligibility.

No. 4: 1996

In 1996, Fulmer found a national championship quarterback and the final two-thirds of what would become the best trio of linebackers in his tenure.

Quarterback Tee Martin was signed as Manning's replacement. Linebackers Raynoch Thompson and Eric Westmoreland were brought in to flank Wilson.

Other highlights included defensive back Mikki Allen, defensive end Shaun Ellis, cornerback Dwayne Goodrich, tight end Neil Johnson, punter David Leaverton, defensive lineman Corey Terry and offensive lineman Josh Tucker.

The Vols only lost seven of 22 signees before their eligibility was complete.

No. 5: 2007 (Projected)

Only time can tell if the Vols' 2007 class has as much substance as style. But with two Parade All-American, five U.S. Army All-Americans and three Gatorade Player of the Year from their perspective states, it's hard to imagine a complete flop.

As much as anything, the Vols addressed their most pressing needs, such as defensive back and wide receiver. UT's 2007 class is widely thought of as one of the top five in the nation. At 33 signees, it's also Fulmer's largest.

No. 6: 1992

It's obvious that Fulmer was focused on recruiting after being promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach. Fulmer's first class was strong.

Some of the highlights included defensive lineman Shane Burton, linebacker Scott Galyon, junior college tailback Charlie Garner, quarterback Todd Helton, linebacker Tyrone Hines, defensive back DeRon Jenkins and receiver Joey Kent.

Of 25 signees in 1992, 14 completed their eligibility at UT.

No. 7: 2002

Fulmer's 2002 class was as deep as any he's had.

The Vols got significant contributions from 16 of 25 signees: defensive back Jason Allen, offensive lineman Cody Douglas, linebacker Omar Gaither, defensive end Jason Hall, receiver Chris Hannon, defensive end Parys Haralson, defensive tackle Justin Harrell, offensive lineman David Ligon, defensive lineman J.T. Mapu, linebacker Marvin Mitchell, tailback Gerald Riggs, Jr., offensive lineman Rob Smith, defensive back Antwan Stewart, cornerback Jonathan Wade, kicker James Wilhoit, and junior college safety Gibril Wilson.

James Banks was also a key contributor for the Vols at quarterback and receiver before being dismissed. It's still hard not to imagine what might have been had Banks stayed out of trouble.

No. 8: 2000

The 2000 class was a classic hit-or-miss group. While 12 signees didn't finish their career at UT, 14 other had successful careers.

Some of the hits were safety Rashad Baker, receiver Tony Brown, linebacker Kevin Burnett, cornerback Jabari Greer, defensive back/receiver Mark Jones, offensive tackle Michael Munoz, defensive end Karlton Neal, linebacker Robert Peace, tight end Jason Witten and offensive tackle Sean Young.

The Vols also found one of their most productive quarterbacks in school history by signing Casey Clausen.

No. 9: 2003

Other than a trio of talented receivers (Robert Meachem, Jayson Swain and Bret Smith), 2003 will also be remembered for the disappointments among its 22 signees.

Linebacker Daniel Brooks was UT's most talked about prospect of 2003. He was dismissed following several off-field incidents, mostly fighting. Defensive back Corey Campbell showed great potential early but disappeared later in his career.

Junior college defensive back Brandon Johnson was a starter before being dismissed for a gun incident mid-season. Tony McDaniel was slated to be UT's next great defensive tackle before he left college early. McDaniel left, in part, to draw an NFL check to pay legal fees that stemmed from his assault of another student during an on-campus basketball game.

Still, there was upside. Punter Britton Colquitt, tight end Brad Cottam, defensive backs Roshaun Fellows and Jonathan Hefney and offensive linemen Arron Sears and Eric Young have proven to be multi-game starters.

No. 10: 1999

This proved to be one of Fulmer's least productive classes. Of 17 signees, eight didn't finish their eligibility with UT. Worse yet, two of those that transferred, defensive tackle Greg Barnum and tailback Onterrio Smith, had shown enough potential that they were being counted on to be future stars.

The class' most talented player, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, left UT after his junior year.

The few highlights of 1999 were running back Troy Fleming, offensive lineman Anthony Herrera, linebacker Eddie Moore, defensive end Constantine Ritzmann, junior college linebacker Anthony Sessions.

Center Scott Wells started four years for UT.

No. 11 (Projected): 2005

So far, UT's highly ranked 2005 class looks a bit disappointing by Fulmer's standards. Four players, including starting safety Demetrice Morley, are no longer with the team.

Still, there have been glimpses of greatness from players such as tailback LaMarcus Coker, quarterback Jonathan Crompton, tailback Montario Hardesty and linebacker Rico McCoy.

Center Josh McNeil has become UT's starting center for the foreseeable future.

No. 12 (Projected): 2004

The Vols have found plenty of contributors in their 20-member 2004 class, but none have reached superstar status yet.

Quarterback Erik Ainge, defensive end Robert Ayers, defensive tackle Demonte Bolden, tight end Chris Brown, tailback Arian Foster, linebackers Ryan Karl and Jerod Mayo, defensive end Xavier Mitchell and offensive linemen Anthony Parker are the candidates to elevate their game.

Quarterback Brent Schaeffer was also a key member of this class before transferring following Ainge's ascension and an off-field incident.

No. 13: 2001

The 2001 class may have been Fulmer's most disappointing. Sure, there were some contributors, but few of the 23 signees lived up to their billing.

Junior college defensive back Julian Battle, tailback Jabari Davis, receivers Jomo Fagan and C.J. Fayton, junior college defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin, offensive lineman Richie Gandy, tailback Cedric Houston, linebackers Jason Mitchell and Kevin Simon and receiver/tailback Derrick Tinsley were the best of the group.

Receiver Kelley Washington proved to be a talented receiver but injuries and an early departure to the NFL limited his impact at UT.

No. 14: 1998

This class never lived up to expectations. Of 25 signees, seven didn't complete their eligibility. Several others never reached their potential.

Still, there were solid players, such as defensive end Omari Hand, defensive tackle Rashad Moore, offensive lineman Will Ofenheusle, defensive end Will Overstreet and receiver Donte' Stallworth.

The headliner of the class was John Henderson, who won the Outland Trophy for the nation's top defensive lineman.

No. 15: 1993

The Vols were limited to 21 scholarships in Fulmer's second year. Then, tragedy and academics further depleted the class.

Ivan Zenon died in a swimming accident and two signees, including highly touted prospect Leonard Little, didn't qualify. Little returned in 1995 and starred at defensive end and linebacker.

Some of the other highlights included Raymond Austin, Bill Duff, Tory Edge, Jay Graham, Tori Noel and Trey Teague.

Of the original 21 members of the class, 13 completed their eligibility at UT.

No. 16 (Projected): 2006

So far, this is a runaway for dead last. UT fans didn't expect much out of the 22-man class signed last year. After all, only 14 prospects were actually enrolled for the following fall semester.

Offensive lineman Jacques McClendon, who started the Outback Bowl, appears to have the inside track to be UT's first contributor from 2006.

The good news? There's still plenty of time to climb the charts.