Tennessee’s 11 first-round wide receivers not only highlight the Vols’ elite eye for talent but also their ability to prepare players for long, impactful professional careers. The diversity in styles, from the deep threats like Gault and Meachem to the dynamic multipurpose stars like Patterson, reflects a program that has consistently adapted to the evolving demands of football.
Tennessee’s 11 first-round wide receivers not only highlight the Vols’ elite eye for talent but also their ability to prepare players for long, impactful professional careers. The diversity in styles, from the deep threats like Gault and Meachem to the dynamic multipurpose stars like Patterson, reflects a program that has consistently adapted to the evolving demands of football.
When it comes to producing elite NFL wide receivers, few college programs can match the Tennessee Volunteers’ track record. According to CBS Sports, Tennessee ranks second all-time in the common draft era with 11 wide receivers selected in the first round of the NFL Draft — trailing only Ohio State, which holds the top spot with 12.
Here’s a look at the Vols’ rich tradition of first-round NFL wideouts:
Stanley Morgan (No. 25 overall, New England Patriots, 1977)
Morgan was the first wide receiver in Tennessee history drafted in the first round, finishing his college career with nearly 2,000 rushing yards and 1,075 receiving yards. A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Morgan remains a Patriots legend and was inducted into both the Patriots Hall of Fame and the University of Tennessee Hall of Fame.
Anthony Hancock (No. 11 overall, Kansas City Chiefs, 1982)
Hancock posted 1,826 receiving yards at Tennessee and still holds the Vols’ bowl game record with 11 receptions. Though his NFL career was brief, his impact at Tennessee, especially during the 1981 Garden State Bowl, remains part of program lore.
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