KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee has a proud football program rich in tradition and history, 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. 63
The number goes back to 1937 in Big Orange County. It was first worn by Norbert Ackermann.
Ackermann, a center for the Vols, sported the number for four seasons between 1937-40.
Robert Neyland Jr. (son of Tennessee’s legendary head coach General Robert Neyland) wore No. 63. He played wingback and right halfback during his career in Knoxville.
It was later worn by offensive lineman Brett Kendrick. Kendrick is a local product from East Tennessee and Christian Academy of Knoxville. He helped the Warriors win a pair of back-to-back TSSAA Class 3A state championships.
At CAK, Kendrick played for Rusty Bradley, son of former Tennessee assistant coach Mark Bradley. The elder Bradley served as the Warriors’ defensive coordinator and offensive line coach while Kendrick played there.
Kendrick wore No. 63 for the Big Orange between 2013-17 and was the last player to don the number for the Vols.
All-Time players to wear No. 63 at Tennessee:
Norbert Ackermann (1937-40)
E.W. Bundy (1941)
Bob Dobelstein (1942, 1944-45)
Tom Brixey (1946, 1948-49)
Bobby Neyland (1950-53)
Bruce Burnham (1954-56)
Cory Franklin (1957-58)
Joe Foxall (1959-62)
Clay Harkeroad (1963)
Mack Gentry (1964-66)
Ray Eilers (1967)
Don Denbo (1968-1970)
David Campbell (1971-73)
Roger Higginbotham (1974-75)
Bill Weems (1976-77)
Jani Trupownieks (1978-81)
Mike Furnas (1983)
Randy Atchley (1984)
Phil Stuart(1985-88)
Rodney Gordon (1990-92)
Jeremy Shadrick (1996)
Josh Campbell (1997)
Jason Respert (2001-04)
Ell Ash (2005)
Adam Gillem (2007)
Kevin Revis (2009-10)
Evan Volner (2011)
J.R. Carr (2011)
Adam Eichelberger (2012)
Brett Kendrick (2013-17)
*Source: 2019 Tennessee Football Media Guide