KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee has a proud football program rich in history and tradition, and over the years many great players have played on Rocky Top.
Vols Wire looks at which players wore each jersey number for the Volunteers.
No. 53
The number goes back in Tennessee football history to 1937. It was first worn on Rocky Top by Boyd Clay.
Clay sported the number for three seasons and played tackle for the Big Orange.
It was later worn by Jerod Mayo and Morgan Cox. Mayo, after leaving Tennessee, was a captain and inspirational leader for the New England Patriots. He was a linebacker.
Cox, a long snapper for the Vols, is currently serving in the same role for the Baltimore Ravens.
All-time players to wear No. 53 for Tennessee:
Boyd Clay (1937-39)
Leonard Simonetti (1940-42)
Mike Paidousis (1944-46)
Gene Burgin (1947)
George Calovich (1951-52)
Tom Priest (1953)
Charles Sholes (1954)
Dave Stottlemyer (1955-57)
J.W. Ditmore (1958-59)
Bert Ackermann (1962-64)
Alex Melas (1965)
Mitch Mutter (1966-67)
Bruce Jackson (1968)
Ben Bass (1969)
Tom Johnson (1970-72)
Andy Trowley (1973)
Joe Mills (1974)
Greg Jones (1975-77)
Mark Rosenbaum (1978-79)
Greg Streno (1981-83)
Chris Coffey (1985)
Mark Jenkins (1986)
Carey Bailey (1988-91)
Mark Graves (1993-94)
Geric Smith (1995)
Toby Champion (1997-2000)
Cory Anderson (2003)
Jerod Mayo (2005)
Adam Myers-White (2006)
Morgan Cox (2007-09)
Jake Storey (2010-11)
J.R. Carr (2012-13)
Justin Thomas (2013)
Colton Jumper (2014-17)
Will Bradshaw (2015)
Dawson Stephens (2019)
*Source: 2019 Tennessee Football Media Guide