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Mayo ready to be part of tradition

UT will take another step to Linebacker U.

By Drew Edwards (Contact)
Originally published 10:26 p.m., April 24, 2008
Updated 10:26 p.m., April 24, 2008

Mayo

Mayo

Type the phrase "Linebacker U" into Google, and you'll find thousands of articles and Web sites extolling Penn State as the preeminent school for linebackers.

Type that same phrase into Wikipedia, and Penn State's football page immediately appears on your computer screen via the Internet's version of Encyclopedia Britannica.

Come this weekend, though, that entry might need a little editing.

When Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo becomes the first Vol taken in Saturday's NFL draft (ESPN, 3 p.m.), he'll be the 11th Tennessee linebacker selected since 1999.

If he goes in the first round as many project, he'll join Al Wilson as the second UT linebacker taken in the first 32 picks.

When Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis began coaching linebackers at Tennessee in 1989, one of his goals was to produce enough quality linebackers that UT might be known once again as the place where players came to get their PhD in tackling.

That dream came from Chavis' two years playing under Lon Herzbrun, who coached four Tennessee linebackers to a total of five All-America honors 1969-76.

"You look at that wall in the complex and see the number of All-Americans he coached at Tennessee," Chavis says. "Back then, Tennessee was known as Linebacker U. When I had the opportunity to coach linebackers here at Tennessee, one of my goals was to put Tennessee back in a position where it was known as Linebacker U. I think we've made some progress."

Chavis isn't ready to take away Penn State's title, but the numbers make a pretty strong case.

Since 1999, Tennessee has had more linebackers selected in the NFL draft than any of the 10 schools with the most players picked since 1996. Penn State, meanwhile, has produced five. Only Miami (4), Ohio State (3) and Florida State (2) have produced more first-rounders over the same period.

That history wasn't lost on Mayo when he signed with Tennessee in 2004.

"It pulled a lot of weight," Mayo said. "Coming out of high school, it's everyone's dream to play in the NFL. I was like, 'Well, shoot, I can go to this school, get a good education, play in a great atmosphere and have a great coach and hopefully at the end of the day, I'll have a chance in the NFL.'

"I like those odds."

They got better since Mayo arrived.

In the last three years, four Tennessee linebackers have been drafted, and only once since 1999 has a draft come and gone without a UT linebacker among the 255 players selected each year.

"You're seeing the recruiting lines, the coaching experience, the level of competition," says Frank Coyle, a pro scout who also has0 published the NFL Draft Insiders Guide each of the last 17 years. "You wind up with a kid who's very athletic with a high level of skill from a highly competitive conference. You add it all up, and they're ready for the NFL."

That's certainly the case with Mayo, who earned All-SEC honors last season and elected to leave following a junior season in which he led UT with 140 tackles, including 8.5 for losses.

Chavis saw the talent - as did several other Division I schools - when Mayo was a recruit in Hampton, Va. But for Mayo and the others who have come out of Tennessee's linebacker pipeline, talent wasn't the only thing that propelled him to the NFL's doorstep. "The thing that really convinced me that he was going to be a great player was after he got here, he wanted to know every day what he could improve on," Chavis said. "When you gave him those things, the next day you saw him out there working on them."

And that's whether the Vols practiced or not.

If a linebacker is going to play on Saturday, Chavis says, that means he must put in five days of good work during the week.

Mayo extended that to everyday, whether or not it was football season.

"I never went home, that's why I graduated early," said Mayo, who graduated in December. "I was always in the film room, always in the weight room, always trying to get that competitive edge."

A lot of that work ethic Mayo inherited from his mother. And a lot of it was passed down from Chavis and older players.

When Mayo arrived, he redshirted a year behind Kevin Burnett. When Burnett was a freshman, Eric Westmoreland, Raynoch Thompson and Al Wilson were the gold standards at linebacker.

And Westmoreland, a third-round NFL pick, says tradition can't be overstated when it comes to Tennessee's track record for producing linebackers.

"You watch the guys in front of you, and when it's your turn, you don't miss a beat," says Westmoreland, a coach at Chattanooga's Baylor School. "It's like a trickle effect. You see the type of players they can be. All of the guys have the same attributes."

Those attributes are usually speed and athleticism, and Mayo is no exception.

Chavis is the first to acknowledge the role that recruiting plays in UT's run of talented linebackers. But Chavis has a big role in that, too. His track record is no doubt one of the reasons why the Atlanta Falcons approached Chavis in the offseason about becoming their linebackers coach.

"The toughness is what he brings out of you," Westmoreland said. "His fire and enthusiasm spills out on the field."

Said Mayo: "He's always trying to help a player grow to become the player he thinks they can be. I thank God each and every day for blessing me with the talent, and I thank God for putting Coach Chavis in my life to help me grow up as a player on the field and as a man."

On Saturday, Mayo will be another entry into Tennessee's ledger of linebackers who earned a shot in the NFL.

Mayo also added to another tradition: All but two linebackers who spent four seasons at UT ended up with a degree.

It's all one more step toward becoming Linebacker U.

"Pretty much," Mayo says, "his track record speaks for itself."

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       51 Comments

Posted by dfreeman on April 24, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you Mayo, we will miss you this year!! Congrats and may the next level bring you the kind of success that this one did! We're all pulling for you and appreciate the dedication and effort you put forth for our football team!!

Posted by BigVolinCarolina on April 24, 2008 at 10:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good luck, Jerod. It was great to have you.

As for the rest of the article: "...one of his goals was to produce enough quality linebackers that UT might be known once again as the place where players came to get their PhD in tackling."

There may be something I'm missing, but we haven't been PhD-worthy over the past few years when it comes to tackling. We're atrocious. But, we can get better. I sure hope so!

Posted by UTfan4life on April 24, 2008 at 11:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jerod go make the big bucks, you did everything you could do at UT for 3 years. We will always have your back man. Go get em

Posted by mparker on April 24, 2008 at 11:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Mayo goes down with Al W and Raynoch as hellacious hitters.

If you love football, you love seeing a good-hitting defense.

Do you guys remember the Bana team that won the NC with that tremendous defense?? Sure, they were all semi-pro, but I loved watching them just shut people down.

Another great example, or 2 actually; the Sugar Bowl win ove Miami, and the win over Bo jackson's Tigers.

Love that D.

Good luck to you, JM>

Posted by FWBVol on April 25, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For everyone slamming Chavis, pay close attention to what Mayo and Westmoreland said about him. John Chavis gets guys ready first for Saturdays in the SEC and then Sundays in the NFL.

Good Luck Jerod. Keep up the good work John Chavis.

Posted by General_Fritter on April 25, 2008 at 5:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mayo will be the man in the NFL too. Mark it down.

Posted by DaddyVol on April 25, 2008 at 5:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

FWBVol, chavis has earned the honors given but also deserves the criticism givin. Ask mayo and westmorland if they would rather rip people to shredds, or play prevent and watch teams score? I agree that he is a good coach. I also know that he is smart enough to know that his little mustang package isn't working, yet when the game is in it's most critcal point Why continue with the prevent?

Posted by pdhuff on April 25, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mayo, you'll be missed. We'll remember the many times you had to cover two areas.

Posted by utvolz on April 25, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Jerod, it was a blessing as a fan to get to see you play wearing the Orange. Congrats on getting it done both on the field and in the classroom. Your future is bright, and it all begins tomorrow afternoon!

Frank in Miami

Posted by GreerVol22 on April 25, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff, excellent point. Our linebackers were out of position so many times because they had to cheat up to stop the run. Imagine if we had decent D-line play and mayo could have played his position like he was supposed to....

Posted by houvol on April 25, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

At least someone gets a degree from the football team. A truly talented young man. In the college all-star(cannot remember which one)his ability to run to the ball was awesome. He stood out on the defense. I just hope he does not go to New England as predicted. Maybe the Colts can work out some sort of trade.

Posted by alanyrobertson_861 on April 25, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good to see Lonnie's name mentioned!

Posted by mparker on April 25, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

daddyvol, that is a valid point. I've never been much of a fan of the prevent either. I'd rather see them go with 7 guys on the pass rush and see what happens.

Posted by volfan on April 25, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks Jerod, for a job well done at UT. Hope you enjoy a long productive tenure in the NFL. Also congratulations on getting your degree before going on with your dreams. I will truly miss your "slobber-knocking" tackles. You will be rememberd among the finest of linebackers at UT. May God be with you!

Posted by richvol on April 25, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The prevent is an abomination that should go the way of the eight track. The only thing it does is get you beat.

Congrats to Mayo...

Posted by wewhite on April 25, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yup, another big D Vol whose name will be called over and over and over again (e.g, Haynesworth, Wilson, "Reg-gie," Bates, Greer... There's so many!) on Sunday afternoon. I wonder how long it will take the TV bobbleheads to pronounce his name "Jeh-ROD" instead of "Jared"? Probably not too long, with all the interviews he'll be getting.

Posted by 55Vol on April 25, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wewhite.... the same announcers pronounced JaJaun's name Jamar.... stupid is as stupid does

Posted by jimr07 on April 25, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This does not have anything to do with Jerod. The NFL channel had a list of the top ten football factories and see what other people think of it. REMINDER: IT IS NOT MY LIST IT IS NFL NETWORK

10. Tennessee
9. Mac Conference
8. Syracuse
7. Penn State
6. Alabama
5. Michigan
4. Ohio State
3. Notre Dame
2. University of Miami
1.Southern Cal

I only agreed with 10, 2 and 1.

Posted by volfan on April 25, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

in response to jimr07...
If this is a list from the NFL and not your list, then why do you not embrace the other 7 rankings? Did the NFL allow us to choose our own list as opposed to their "stats." Just wondering.

Posted by Ironcity on April 25, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All you guys blast the prevent and then when our secondary gets roasted in man coverage with slants you scream about the lousy coaching and play calling. Can't have it both ways. bottom line,
whatever we do, we just need to do it better.

Posted by thesavageorange on April 25, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I know everyone appreciates Jerod, but I don't think we will ever get to fully appreciate him in the way we do Al Wilson.When we go back in time and think of the great UT players of the past, we will always look at SEC championship teams and the National title teams.This is no fault of Jerods ,but if he would have won one or two SEC crowns or a NC, we would hold him in the same regard as Al.

Please understand, I'm not a "naysayer" ,but I hate to see a young man this blessed and work that hard and not get a ring.A ring he thought he would get.Time to step up Rico!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWLgYK...

Thanks Jerod!I won't be one that soon forgets.I hope he falls to the Titans.

Posted by WD40plusVol on April 25, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jimr07, any qualifiers that go on that list? Like, the past 5 years or 50 years, all time? That Syracuse, Penn St and Bama are there makes me think all-time but then I can't explain Miami which really has only had 20-25 years of success.

Nice article on Jerod, and there was a good article on Cottam earlier, but I haven't seen anything on Ainge. Did he participate in the combine or pro day? How did he do? Did any other UT players participate in the combine or pro day?

Posted by KingsportVol on April 25, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ainge did great.Ran a 9.7 40.Threw a bomb 24 yards downfield.He is playing for the Toronto Tenderfoots in the CFL next season.We will miss him like a third testicle.Getting back to the article we will miss Jerod.He was a true warrior and a model student.Would love to see a Titans jersey on him as well.Good luck.Go Big Orange!Crompton 08

Posted by KingsportVol on April 25, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I really hope Ainge does well sphs_vol.I just do not understand why we played an injured QB all season with a quality back up like Crompton on the bench.

Posted by pjhaddix on April 25, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We're proud of you, Jarod! It'll be fun to keep up with you in the years ahead.

KingsportVol: <eeewwwwww...>

Posted by jimr07 on April 25, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

volfan-- i thought it ineteresting but if had to choose one person that would take issue with it i would have picked you. know it all

Posted by jimr07 on April 25, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wd40--it was an all time list. did not mean to cause such controversy

Posted by jimr07 on April 25, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wd40--miami has at this time more players in the NFL than any team. if you have the nfl channel, look for the program, i am sure they will run it again. but the list is all time.

Posted by jimr07 on April 25, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

volfan--since it is their list, yes, i can take issue with it. the Mac conference? Syracuse who had some great individual players but a football factory?

Posted by jimr07 on April 25, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

did not mean to take away from Jerod. he seems to be moving up and several have him going number 10. i hope he makes it because he is a true hero to me. good grades, good attitude.

Posted by jimr07 on April 25, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wd40--i have seen several talking heads saying that ainge may be a real steal.

Posted by General_Fritter on April 25, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Freshmen year to Freshmen year, Ainge compares favorably to every QB we have ever had - even Peyton Manning. However, that is where the comparisons stop. Ainge will go down as a very good QB at UT, but he didn't have the story book career I thought he would have after I watched his Freshmen year. In fairness, his injury and the lack of a deep threat hurt him in his Senior year.

Posted by General_Fritter on April 25, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I miss the Dink and Dunk. Long live Coach Cutcliffe. Go Duke Lacrosse.

Posted by jimr07 on April 25, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

General_Fritter--i am worried. i agreed with everything you said about Ainge. when he entered his senior year, i thought we had a real chance at a bcs bowl. experience. i think his main problem was not reliable receiver. Too bad Ropbet Meachum left and i would like to think that he realizes now that he should have stayed. did not play a down last year.
but good luck to Jerod. that is what this was about.

Posted by General_Fritter on April 25, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jimr07 - Don't worry. Fulmer will lead us to the Promise Land. And if not, we still have Pearl.

Posted by WD40plusVol on April 25, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jimr07, thanks for the info. I knew Syracuse at one time had a heyday that since passed but Miami had virtually nothing of a program before 1982. Guess they made up for that in the 80s and 90s.

One other thought about Meachem, he may not have played but he got paid.

General, you could almost say the same thing about Casey. I said almost.

Posted by jimr07 on April 25, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wd40--i am a little older than you, i think, and miami did have good football many years ago and it went into the doldrums and they just about gave it up. they decided to hire howard schnellenberger and he revived it knowing the talent in miami alone. then along came jimmy and you know the rest. they have more current playersin the nfl than anyone, second number of hall of famers, more pro bowlers, and all americans, and more first round draft choices. they had 12 takenn in the first two rounds several years ago.

Posted by VOLinDAWGland on April 25, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

General,
I think that's a fair assessment of Ainge's career. I thought we were peaking in 2004 and 2005 was going to be special...well it was special all right. I thought Ainge would own the job over Shaeffer and light the world on fire...well he got one of two. He's a good kid and a very good college QB. He picked apart a good Big 10 defense in the Outback and was showing the form we would have seen had he not had a bum shoulder from the spear in the Cal game and a broken pinky.

He'll stick with a pro team and will have a reasonably long career...just don't know if it will be as a successful starter or a clip board holder...but either way that would put him in elite TN QB company.

Posted by jimr07 on April 25, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jerod mayo is really moving up in the draft as is Brad Cottam. good luck Jerod

Posted by KingsportVol on April 26, 2008 at 7:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

General lol 5:43 post.Go Duke Lacrosse.

Posted by pearlific on April 26, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Prevent defense works. just ask th NFL- they use it all the time.

Posted by miamiVOL on April 26, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

J.Mayo selected 10th overall by the New England Patriots

Posted by jonathanlcate on April 26, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you so much Coach Chavis for your dedication to our University. We're proud to have you as our defensive coordinator. It's such a blessing to have men like Coach Chavis on our staff that bleed Orange.

Posted by General_Fritter on April 28, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you could ask one Coach Chavis one question, what would it be. Here's a few I have thought about:

Will your Defense be able to hold opponents under 500 yards again next season? Florida under 59 points? Is it easier or more difficult to defend the Orange now that Coach Cut has moved his talents to Dukie? Why does the Mustang package have such a bad wrap? Is it a boy or is it a girl?

Posted by sjt18 on April 29, 2008 at 6:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Only one question? lol

OK, Here's mine: Coach why do you insist on playing DT's 20-50 lbs lighter than the OG's they face... and get blown off the ball by?

Posted by General_Fritter on April 29, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 - you are far to critical. LOL.

Posted by General_Fritter on April 29, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Chavis is telling his boys to leave the dinner table and then making a U Turn back to clean up the plates.

Posted by General_Fritter on April 29, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Chavis is telling his boys to leave the dinner table and then making a U Turn back to clean up the plates.

Posted by txsvol on May 10, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just wanted this on the record about Jerod: The May 12 Sports Illustrated quotes Junior Seau on page 74: "Mayo is in for a treat. He got selected by the guru of linebackers. The best thing about Belechick is that he will give you a specific role. All you have to do is play it, do it and own it. He would not have invited this guy into his house if he didn't believe it was going to work out. He would have traded the pick and grabbed a veteran who has been around the league. For him to draft a youngster as high as he did, the kid has to have something." (Which we, as Vol fans, already know!!!) Go Jerod! Go Vols! SAVol

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