The Real WR U (long...)

[Hurricane Warrior]

Recently I have seen some posts from Tenn on why they are WR U. This really puzzled me at first because I didn't realize they produced many WR in the NFL (3 active in 2015). After they "stole" Latrell Williams and claimed to the "Original" WR U, I decided to do some digging and found this article: Why Vols are Original "Wide Receiver U" - All for Tennessee - A Tennessee Volunteers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

It cracks me up how Tennessee claim to be the "original" WR U... so I decided to do some research and present my case...

During Tennessee’s spot at the SEC Media Days on Tuesday afternoon, Butch Jones was asked about his wide receivers and the upcoming season. In response, Jones stated that the Vols are “the orignal wide receiver U” and are well on their way to proving once again why they deserve that title.

Many teams claim to be “the original (enter position of choice here) U” based on that team’s historical success at that position. For example, USC claims to be “linebacker U,” and the stats tend to back up their claim. Over the last 50 years, only Alabama has had as many linebackers drafted in the 1st round of the NFL (9) as the Trojans.

So does Tennessee live up to Butch Jones’s claim as the original “wide receiver U?” Does history support his statement, and what suggests the Vols are on their way back to reclaiming that moniker?

Yeap the U claims that title and I will go over why.

Most of the arguments for schools being considered for the positional “U” title is based on how successful that school is in placing players in the NFL. Based on the numbers from the NFL Draft, Tennessee is definitely in the conversation for “wide receiver U.”

Since 1971, the Vols have had 34 wide receivers drafted, including 11 1st round selections, which is by far the most in that span. Tennessee had 10 wide receivers drafted in the 80’s, including 3 in the 1983 draft, which saw Willie Gault go to the Chicago Bears in the 1st round. The Vols also had a wide receiver drafted every year in the 90’s, aside from 1993. This includes 3 in the 1991 draft, which was headlined by Alvin Harper going to the Dallas Cowboys with the 12th overall pick.

1971-2014 is 43 year! 34 draft picks at WRs in 43 years is good? From 1971-84 Miami had 10 WRs drafted... from 85-88 we had 4 WRs drafted including 2 first rounders and 3 Pro Bowlers. From 1990-99 we had 12 including 2 first rounders, from 2000-2009 we had 7 drafted including 3 in the first round and 3 pro bowlers. We have 4 from 2010-2015 including 1 first rounder. If you are keeping count that is 38 WR drafted from the U during the same span with 8 in the first round. The thing they did not mention is the number of Pro Bowlers on their list, we produced 7 pro bowlers to their 4.

Bragging about Willie Gault, Mike Miller, and Darryal Wilson in 1983? Did they see our class of 1988? Yeah we had a 1st rounder named Michael Irvin and two second rounders (Brian Blades and Brett Perriman). Their best guy Gault had a similar career to our worst guy Perriman. Their other 2 busts had 7 career NFL receptions combined for 170 yards and 0 TDs.

If the draft numbers fail to persuade, one need only take a look at statistical records to find more proof.

Peerless Price is tied with Andre Johnson for most receiving yards in a BCS National Championship game with 199 yards. Price amassed those yards on only 4 receptions, and his yards per reception average (49.8) is the highest in any BCS bowl during the BCS bowl era (minimum 3 receptions).

Yes the draft number did not persuade me. And is this a joke? They are comparing Peerless Price to Andre Johnson based on one performance? I guess they forgot that Price had 0 Pro bowl appearance to 7 from Andre...

The Vols also top several yearly SEC statistical categories. Larry Seivers led the SEC in receptions in 1975 and ’76, and Carl Pickens followed in his footsteps by doing the same in 1990 and ’91. Da’Rick Rogers led the SEC in receptions in 2011 with 67 receptions.

When did the SEC become a pass happy league?
Larry Seivers? (no NFL stats after getting drafted in the 4th round)
Pickens followed his footsteps... 15 years later... at least he made 2 Pro bowls.

Joey Kent (1995), Marcus Nash (1997), and Robert Meachem (2006) all led the SEC in receiving yards per game in a season. Kelley Washington set the SEC record for most yards per catch in a game in 2001 with 23.3 yards per catch on 11 catches for 256 yards.

Joey Kent? (Not drafted, no NFL stats)
Meachem and Washington combined for under 5,000 in their NFL careers with 0 Pro bowl appearances.
I'm pretty sure Dorsett had a 24.2 per catch average in 2014, not just one game. SEC has some low standards.

Cordarrelle Patterson led the SEC in all-purpose yards in 2012 with 1,858 receiving, rushing, punt return, and kick return yards. Stanley Morgan led the SEC with most points scored in a season in both 1974 and 1975.

Duke Johnson has 2,060 all-purpose yards as a freshmen. Oh yeah, Patterson had 46 catches for 778 yards and 5 TDs in his one year at Tenn...
1974-75? Wow... I wasn't around then to witness this... but he was and still is their best WR ever in the NFL and only WR from Tenn to have over 10,000 career receiving yards in the NFL (barely at 10,716).

While these numbers are impressive, there is something unsettling about the dates for most of the records and draft numbers. Aside from Robert Meachem and Cordarelle Patterson, nearly every other statistical leader or significant draft product is over fifteen years removed from playing for the Vols. So why does Butch Jones think the Vols still deserve to be called “wide receiver U?” Why does he believe they are on their way back to earning that title?

Delusional...

A look at more recent history seems to back up Jones’s claim, and the future certainly seems bright at the position. Denarius Moore ended a 4 year drought for Tennessee receivers in the NFL Draft in 2011 when the Oakland Raiders selected him in the 5th round, and the Vols added a pair of receivers to the NFL only two years later.

Cordarrellee Patterson became the first receiver selected in the 1st round since Meachem in 2007, and Justin Hunter joined him in the 2nd round, making it the first time since 1998 that two Tennessee receivers had been drafted in the same NFL Draft.

And as great as Hunter and Patterson were for the Vols in 2012, the future at wide receiver is looking even brighter on Rocky Top. Marquez North was the most productive freshman receiver the Vols have seen since both Kelley Washington and Hunter, and he has two new teammates in 2014 that could wind up being one of the best wide receiver trios in not only Tennessee history, but in all the SEC as well.

Or undrafted Free Agent Allen Hurns has more career catches, yards and TDs than Hunter the Great and Patterson the Kick Returner. As a matter of fact he has seen the endzone as a WR more than both of them combined in 1 less season.

Marquez North declares for 2016 draft after a stellar 2015:
2016 Update:

North managed only six receptions for 58 yards amid an injury-plagued junior season.
And it's not as though North was producing at a prolific rate before this year. He had 38 receptions as a freshman and 30 as a sophomore.

...so much for the best trio is SEC history....

Josh Malone was rated as a consensus high 4-star or 5-star wide receiver product in the 2014 recruiting class, often ranked the top recruit in the state of Tennessee by those services who didn’t have running back Jalen Hurd in that spot. Von Pearson joins Cordarrelle Patterson as a high-profile JUCO receiver to join the Vols in recent years, as he was the No. 2 JUCO receiver in the 2014 class. Both possess extremely high ceilings, and both impressed at various times throughout spring practices. If both live up to their hype, then SEC defenses beware.

The Vols also have a commitment from another elite receiver in the 2015 recruiting class. The No. 1 receiver in the nation, Preston Williams, has pledged his services to the Vols for 2015, and he may not be the only top receiver who joins Tennessee. Van Jefferson and Christian Kirk are two more high-profile receivers the Vols have a legitimate shot at landing.

See Ryan Moore and our 2008 WR class... way too early to brag.

2015 Update:
Josh Malone (SO) - 31 catches for team-best 405 yards with two touchdowns
Von Pearson (SR) - Led team in catches (38) and receiving yards (409) with three touchdowns
Preston Williams (FR) - 7 catches for 158 yards with two touchdowns
Christian Kirk - 80 catches for 1009 yards with 7 touchdowns! Opps, he signed with Texas A&M...

Must be great to have 2 guys who lead the team in Receiving yards in one season...

It’s because of this recent recruiting surge that Jones’s claim that the Vols are well on their way to reclaiming the “wide receiver U” title cannot be scoffed at. The aforementioned trio doesn’t even take into account Alton “Pig” Howard’s potential and the rising stock of Jason Croom, as both figure to play significant roles in 2014 and beyond.

You can't reclaim something you never had...

2015 Update:
Alton “Pig” Howard (SR) - 1 catches for 8 yards with 0, touchdowns in only 2 games. Beast!!!
Jason Croom (RJr) - sidelined with injury... has 39 catches for 574 yards and 6 TDs... over 4 years at Tenn.

From Larry Seivers, Stanley Morgan, and Anthony Hancock in the late 70’s and early 80’s to Alvin Harper, Carl Pickens, Joey Kent, Marcus Nash, and Peerles Price in the 90’s to Donte’ Stallworth, Kelley Washington, and Robert Meachem in the 2000’s, the Vols have had a plethora of talented receivers don the orange and white. And if Justin Hunter, Cordarrellee Patterson, Marquez North, and the most recent recruits are any indication of the future, “wide receiver U” looks to be back in business.

OK... this entire list includes 3 guys that made it to a Pro bowl and he left out the 2nd most productive WR out of Tenn (Miller). Their only active 1st rounder and Pro bowler Patterson has a whopping 863 yards in his 3 year career...

Now if only Butch Jones can find the newest Vol receivers a quarterback to get them the ball.

We got a guy named Brad and just signed some guy name Jack.

A picture is worth more than words...

Here is something dedicated to OGs of the Real WR U:


Best WR Corps at the Real WR U...

Bomb Squad (Micheal Irvin, Brett Perriman, Brian Blades, Andrew Brown, Percy Wilson)

Coley, Cager, Richards, Mullins, and Bruce have the talent to be the next great group...

Richards (6'2", 175) = Irvin (6,2", 207)
Mullins (5'11", 179) = Blades (5'11", 189)
Bruce (5'8", 183) = Perriman (5'9", 180)
Cager (6'5", 215) = Brown (6'3", 210)

1987 WR corp: - Bomb Squad
9 WR Brian Blades Sr
33 WR Brett Perriman Sr
47 WR Michael Irvin Jr
83 WR Andre Brown Jr
11 WR Dale Dawkins So
3 WR Randall Hill Fr
21 WR Alex Johnson Fr

7 Draft future picks, including 2 1st round picks and 2 pro bowlers.

1989 WR Corp:
11 Dale Dawkins WR 6-1 189 Sr. Vero Beach, Fla. (Vero Beach HS)
3 Randal Hill WR 5-11 173 Jr. Miami, Fla. (Killian HS)
83 Wesley Carroll WR 6-1 183 Jr. Cleveland, Ohio (Northwest Mississippi JC)
35 Darryl Spencer WR 5-9 180 So. Merritt Island, Fla. (Merritt Island HS)
36 Lamar Thomas WR 6-3 170 RFr. Gainesville, Fla. (Buchholz HS)
81 Horace Copeland WR 6-3 200 Fr. Orlando, Fla. (Maynard Evans HS)
5 Kevin Williams WR 5-9 170 Fr. Dallas, Texas (Roosevelt HS)

6 Draft picks

1990 WR Corp:
3 Randal Hill WR 5-11 175 Sr. Miami, Fla. (Killian HS)
81 Wesley Carroll WR 6-1 185 Sr. Cleveland, Ohio (Northwest Mississippi JC)
36 Lamar Thomas WR 6-3 170 RSo. Gainesville, Fla. (Buchholz HS)
88 Horace Copeland WR 6-3 200 So. Orlando, Fla. (Maynard Evans HS)
5 Kevin Williams WR 5-9 184 RFr. Dallas, Texas (Roosevelt HS)
18 A.C Tellison WR 6-4 210 Fr. Bay City, Tx. (Bay City HS)
35 Darryl Spencer WR 5-9 180 RSo. Merritt Island, Fla. (Merritt Island HS)

6 Draft picks

1992 WR Corp: - Ruthless Posse
88 Horace Copeland WR 6-3 220 Sr. Orlando, Fla. (Maynard Evans HS)
36 Lamar Thomas WR 6-3 170 Sr. Gainesville, Fla. (Buchholz HS)
5 Kevin Williams WR 5-9 185 Jr. Dallas, Texas (Roosevelt HS)
85 Chris Jones WR 6-3 202 So. West Palm Beach, FL (Cardinal Newman)
18 A.C Tellison WR 6-4 205 So. Bay City, Tx. (Bay City HS)
35 Darryl Spencer TB 5-9 175 Sr. Merritt Island, Fla. (Merritt Island HS)

5 Draft Picks

2000 WR Corp:
87 Reggie Wayne WR 6-1 195 Sr. Marrero, LA (Marrero HS)
6 Santana Moss WR 5-10 180 Sr. Miami, FL (Carol City)
84 Andre King WR 6-0 200 Sr. Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Stranahan )
1 Daryl Jones WR 5-10 184 Jr. Dallas, Texas (Carter HS)
5 Andre Johnson WR 6-3 220 Fr. Miami, Fla. (Miami Senior HS)

5 Draft picks including 3 1st rounders and pro bowlers.

2002 WR Corp:
1 Roscoe Parrish WR 5-9 157 RFr. Miami, Fla. (Miami Senior HS)
5 Andre Johnson WR 6-3 227 Jr. Miami, Fla. (Miami Senior HS)
83 Sinorice Moss WR 5-8 163 Fr. Miami, Fla. (Carol City HS)


2010 WR Corp:
85 Leonard Hankerson WR 6-3 205 Sr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)
3 Travis Benjamin WR 5-10 178 Jr. Belle Glade, FL (Glades Central HS)
8 Tommy Streeter WR 6-5 215 RSo. Miami, FL (Northwestern; HS)
47 Laron Byrd WR 6-4 215 Jr. Boutte,La. (Hahnville HS)
80 Allen Hurns WR 6-3 180 Fr. Miami, Fla. (Carol City HS)

4 Draft picks and 4 current NFL players.

2011 WR Corp:
3 Travis Benjamin WR 5-10 178 Sr. Belle Glade, FL (Glades Central HS)
8 Tommy Streeter WR 6-5 215 RJr. Miami, FL (Northwestern; HS)
47 Laron Byrd WR 6-4 215 Sr. Boutte,La. (Hahnville HS)
1 Allen Hurns WR 6-3 180 So. Miami, Fla. (Carol City HS)
85 Phillip Dorsett WR 5-9 170 Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)
80 Rashawn Scott WR 6-2 198 Fr. Melbourne, Fla. (Melbourne Central HS)

4 Draft picks and 4 current NFL players.

 

[Classic]

Good stuff. That chart says it all...

 

[HurricaneU]

They live off the leftovers and halo of other true SEC powers. Always have.

Can't recall the last time a Florida player went there and did anything other than transfer or get arrested.

 

[JayCane20]

Wow I wish I had this when I was making a case against a delusional UT fan on twitter.

Great job. Point proven no doubt about it

 

[The Franchise]

I hope you got paid to invest all that time in that.

 

[Hurricane Warrior]

Wow I wish I had this when I was making a case against a delusional UT fan on twitter.

Great job. Point proven no doubt about it

Just post the side by side comparison... we beat them in every category except 1st round picks, but mostly because of pre-2000 picks (8 out of 11 were pre-2000, and 7 were pre-1992)... also only 4 out 11 first round picks for them had over 5000 career receiving yards and only 3 appeared in a Pro bowl (one as a returner). Out of our 8 1st round picks 4 has over 10,000 career receiving yards and 5 made it to a pro bowl.

Our only real bust is Yatil Green due to injury... not counting Green and Dorsett who only had 1 year so far, Randal Hill our was biggest 1st round bust at WR, he still played 7 years in the NFL with 60 starts and almost 4000 career receiving yards.

 

[orange&green84]

I remember UT being unable to pass the pass the ball against the likes of UF and other schools. None of their receivers could get any type of separation and their route-running was porous to be kind. Yes, UF had a really really good defense last year. But as the great Santana Moss said - big time players make big time plays in big time games. Their receivers failed to show up for a rivalry game and lost. Also, when's the last time a Tennessee wide-receiver did anything of importance in the NFL. For all of the busts that Bama puts into the NFL, at least they have more productivity at receiver then Tennessee (Cooper and Julio Jones).

UT blowing smoke out of their *** as usual.

 

[Hurricane Warrior]

I hope you got paid to invest all that time in that.

All love bro...

 

[Zbrod95]

****, props ma dude

 

[Cribby]

Sounds like they're sexual assault U

 

[BigDikCane]

Just think of how many down south wrs we missed out on.. Amari Cooper being one... Plus when the Vols were on top they recruited Florida heavy

 

[Hurricane Warrior]

Just think of how many down south wrs we missed out on.. Amari Cooper being one... Plus when the Vols were on top they recruited Florida heavy

Alvin Harper is the only decent WR they have that is from FL. Most of our top WRs are from FL with the exception of Wayne who is from LA. This is not a position we need to look out of state for.

 

[BucCANEers]

[MENTION=8194]hurricane[/MENTION]warrior I seriously hope you posted this or at least the link to this thread in that website.

 

[M3N]

U would think Tennessee has won the last 10 championships by the way their fans talks. Tennessee and SCe are theeeee most delusional fan base

 

[samstcane]

Hurricane, great work!!! Take a look at the Active 2015 section, I think you may have missed a number for the total yards for the canes.

 

[Hurricane Warrior]

Hurricane, great work!!! Take a look at the Active 2015 section, I think you may have missed a number for the total yards for the canes.

Good catch... it's 22443 vs. 4148

 

[Hurricane Warrior]

[MENTION=8194]hurricane[/MENTION]warrior I seriously hope you posted this or at least the link to this thread in that website.

This and the website is just for fun... maybe I'll link it.

 

[Geo305]

Any school who's been blessed to have a run of WRs like Eddie Brown, Michael Irvin, Brian Blades, Brett Perriman, Andre Brown, Dale Dawkins, Wesley Carroll, Randal Hill, Lamar Thomas, Horace Copeland and Kevin Williams from the early 80s to early 90s was simply spoiled.

All but 3 of those guys hailed from the state of Florida. Andre Brown came from Illinois, Wesley Carroll from Ohio and Kevin Williams from Texas.

There was a few in the mid 90s but may I move on to some more notables from the late 90s and early 2000s?

Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, and Roscoe Parrish just to name some notables.


How about more recent in Leonard Hankerson, Travis Benjamin, Allen Hurns, Phillip Dorsett and soon to be Stacy Coley?

Of the last two groups. Reggie Wayne was the only one to not hail from the state of Florida, he's from Louisiana.

This is not mentioning some other good ones we had. We also had quite some busts as well from the 90's to even recent years.

Anyone who even tries to claim WRU aside from Miami fans is obviously not taking a look at the facts. We had some pretty good ones too prior to Eddie Brown as well (*cough* Rocky Belk was a stud) but Eddie Brown was the one who really started WRU and the tradition carried on from there.

 

[Geo305]

We should never leave the state for a WR unless it's for someone who is truly worth the time.

 

[B.B.B]

I hope you got paid to invest all that time in that.

yup, buddy just put in more work right there than Pete has in the last couple years combined