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. 44
The number goes back to 1937 in UT’s rich football history and it was first worn by John “Skeeter” Bailey. Bailey, a halfback for the Vols, wore it for two seasons.
No. 44 has been sported by a wide array of players, including offensive linemen, quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends, kickers, punters, defensive linemen and defensive backs.
Jakob Johnson, a tight end and linebacker at Tennessee, wore it between 2014-17. He played for the New England Patriots last season.
The number was also worn by Neil Clabo, a punter, who played for the Minnesota Vikings and legendary coach Bud Grant. Clabo, a Farragut High School product, played in Super Bowl XI for Minnesota.
Clabo, a Florida native, has deep roots in Farragut. The football field at the high school bears his father’s name and his nephew, Tyson, who also played for the Admirals, is retired from the NFL.
All-time players to wear No. 44 at Tennessee:
John “Skeeter” Bailey (1937-38)
Kenneth Bales (1939)
William “Bill” Meek (1940-42)
T.J. Hill (1944)
Ray Stanzak (1945)
Clarence Hewgley (1946)
Bill Ford (1950)
Andy Romeo (1951)
Jimmy Wade (1954)
Danny Webb (1955, 1957)
Bill Majors (1958-60)
David Shields (1961)
Wayne Bush (1962-63)
Jerry Smith (1964-66)
Don McLeary (1967)
Nick Showalter (1968)
Bobby Majors (1969-71)
Neil Clabo (1972-74)
Greg Graves (1975)
Craig Puki (1976-79)
Alvin Toles (1982-84)
Mike Kelley (1986-87)
Chuck Webb (1989-90)
Mario Brunson (1991-93)
Craig King (1995-96)
Austin Kemp (1998-99)
Michael Brewster (2001)
Omar Gaither (2003-05)
Josh Hawkins (2008-09)
Sam Thomas (2008, 2010)
Maurice Couch (2011-13)
Jakob Johnson (2014-17)
Ryan Thaxton (2017)
Cheyenne Labruzza (2018-19)
Princeton Fant (2018)
*Source: 2019 Tennessee Football Media Guide