'A crazy ride': Senior Vols play for final time in Neyland

Tennessee linebacker Rico McCoy (5) hits Florida quarterback Tim Tebow (15) on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess // Buy this photo

Tennessee linebacker Rico McCoy (5) hits Florida quarterback Tim Tebow (15) on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

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KNOXVILLE -- Twenty-four true freshmen arrived on the Tennessee campus in 2005 as one of the nation's top football recruiting classes.

Eleven of them remain five seasons later, and eight of them are healthy enough to play in Saturday's home finale against Vanderbilt.

The 24 enrolled at UT with dreams of starting on teams that competed for Southeastern Conference and national championships.

Continue reading at the Chattanooga Times Free-Press.

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Comments » 20

crimsonviper writes:

Wish the best for all the Seniors.
Hope they go out with a big win and crush Vandy.
..Go Vols!

nocleats writes:

11 of 24 ! That is why recruiting rankings dont mean squat ! Vols fans should give these SRs a loud sendoff as these guys Have Given Their All For Tennessee ! GBO!

donj3742 writes:

They are indeed true vols and I believe the foundation
is solid thanks to them and I along with all vol fans will
remember their efforts. Thank to each one and the best of luck in the future.

oldvolsfan writes:

i hope these younger players learn from these guys and keep their nose clean the coches we have will guide them well and teach them better than the ones leaving had good luck and God bless you

CryptoVol writes:

Congratulations to all these young men. It's been an interesting ride. Best of luck to all.

d_ray writes:

CONGRATULATIONS SENIORS !!! Win these last two games so you can travel to a bowl game. You deserve a great send off.

vol88 writes:

Love the photo ^^^.

GBO! Thanks seniors for your dedication to our school.

OMEN1618 writes:

This Senior Class has seen alot, the fall of Ole Phil the beginning of CLK, lots of wins, lots of losses, a little armed robbery thrown in the mix, and they've weathered it all. Congrats grads go forth and be prosperous, you've earned it. You will always be true VOLS!

516milesfromUT writes:

wish i could make this trip for the seniors. My T flag will be wayving all the way from PA. to give my all for Tennessee.half of that class made it.,showing you have class. you did a great job being represenitives for UT, and became fine young men. good luck to you all. Hope berry suprises us, if not i will watch him on sundays. GBO!

BarrysaysGOVOLS writes:

Great Article!

VolunteerLifer writes:

Gotta love these seniors. I can't express enough apreciation for the way they have hung in there through all the stuff of the last few years. They have sacrificed themselves for the future of the program. Many thanks to them.

UT4ever writes:

Some of them weren't redshirted, so they already graduated.........great article again, dopes!! Man, does the KNS actually think before posting this drizzle??

OrangeHammer writes:

in response to jcvet:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

That will be thrown out, and its likely irrelevent. You can't use video cassette recordings without both parties knowing that its going on. Jackson will be here, and your a turd.

ethanfrome writes:

"They came to handcuff the SEC, but they watched helplessly as teammates left the program in handcuffs."

Great article except that one line. How lame, please don't try to become a beat poet.

Fryinpansvols writes:

in response to BarrysaysGOVOLS:

Great Article!

I concur! This is a great story! I wish we could have sent these Seniors out with a very successful season that they were promised when recruited. Even though the span of the last five seasons has been somewhat rough there is a reason my blood bleeds orange and it is there in the story of these young men. Go Big Orange finish the season strong and relish the moment guys!

dvols writes:

hate that i am going to miss being there, but i sure would like to hear the cheer for crompton when he runs throught the T!

steamboatticket#484773 writes:

in response to dvols:

hate that i am going to miss being there, but i sure would like to hear the cheer for crompton when he runs throught the T!

I also would like to hear that cheer and add to it. Talk about a young man earning respect the hard way... I am truly glad that Crompton finally experienced playing up to his abilities with a team that was on the same right page. Hope that he and all have a great game against Vandy; not a gimme.

pj_ladyvolnMI writes:

Seniors, thanks for persevering through 4 or 5 tough years as Vols...especially Jonathan. We are proud of you and hoping along with you for a great bowl experience to end it all. Go Vols!

bolliniu#329476 writes:

Thanks Seniors Make us even prouder of you and
the BIG ORANGE SPIRIT and PASSION you each have portrayed over your respective past years and go out LOUD AND PROUD SAT 11/21/09 BEAT VANDY!!!!

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