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. 57
The number dates back in UT football history to 1937. Alfred Thomas was the first player to don the number for the Vols.
Thomas was a guard on Rocky Top and wore the number for three seasons from 1937-39.
It was later worn by Daryle Smith, an offensive tackle for the Vols between 1984-86.
Smith was a product of Knox County’s Powell High School.
Smith, who died in 2010, at the age of 46, played in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles.
He also played in the Canadian Football League for the Toronto Argonauts, Sacramento Gold Miners, San Antonio Texans and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Daryle’s son, Lee, is a tight end for the Buffalo Bills.
Steve Kiner, a linebacker at UT from 1967-69, also sported the number. He is in the College Football Hall of Fame. He played in the NFL with the Cowboys, New England Patriots and Houston Oilers.
All-time players to wear No. 57 for Tennessee:
Alfred Thomas (1937-39)
H.R. Proffitt (1945)
James Martin (1948)
Andy Myers (1949-52)
Dick Disbrow (1953)
Steve Ellspermann (1965-66)
Steve Kiner (1967-69)
Jamie Rotella (1970-72)
Ron McCartney (1973-75)
Terry Anderson (1977-78)
Steve Davis (1979)
Curt Singer (1981-83)
Daryle Smith (1984-86)
Brian Spivey (1989-92)
Leland Taylor (1994)
Chris West (1996-97)
Travis Colston (1999-2000)
Ovince Saint Preux (2002-04)
Nick Guess (2007)
Gerald Williams (2008-10)
Mack Crowder (2011-15)
Andrew Henry (2012-14)
Nathan Niehaus (2016-18)
Nyles Gaddy (2018-19)
*Source: 2019 Tennessee Football Media Guide