KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee has a 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 number for the Volunteers.
No. 26
The number dates back to 1937 and was first worn by tackle Frank Crawford. It has been worn by many, including current Vol Radio Network analyst Tim Priest, who played defensive back at UT between 1968-70.
But in the history of the Vols’ program, one man who were the number was a top player in Tennessee history.
Willie Gault was a wide receiver and kick returner for the Big Orange between 1979-82.
He was also a world-class sprinter for the Vols track team. Gault, a 1982 All-American at UT, still holds multiple return records.
Gault was a 1983 first-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears. He played 11 seasons for the Bears and Los Angeles Raiders and was a Super Bowl Champion with Chicago in Super Bowl XX.
Gault had 44 receiving touchdowns in the league.
After football, Gault became an actor. He has appeared in numerous television shows including “Tales From the Crypt,” “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper,” “Grounded for Life” and “In the Heat of the Night.”
All-time players to wear No. 26 at Tennessee:
Frank Crawford (1937)
Wesley Ott (1938)
Hobart Jones (1941)
Bernard “Bunzy” O’Neil (1939-1940, 1942)
Bill Beeler (1945)
Alan Fielden (1946-1949)
Frank Alexander (1950, 1952)
Frank Davis (1958)
Albert Dorsey (1965-67)
Tim Priest (1968-70)
Jim Watts (1972-74)
Chip Linebarier (1975-78)
Willie Gault (1979-82)
Vernon Bass (1984-86)
Beau Mainous (1988)
David Bennett (1989-92)
Shane Begnaud (1994-97)
Myles Atherton (1998)
Leonard Scott (1999-2002)
Corey Campbell (2004-05)
Michael Odell (2009)
Daniel Lincoln (2007-10)
Derrick Brodus (2011-12)
Geraldo Orta (2012-14)
Jaye Rochelle (2013)
Treyvon Faulk (2014)
Stephen Griffin (2015-16)
Ben Powlas (2016)
Theo Jackson (2017-19)
Jay Shoop (2017-18)
J.T. Siekerman (2019)
*Source: Tennessee Football 2019 Media Guide