The 1980s
Tony Robinson (1982-85)
You won’t find Tony Robinson high up on most of Tennessee’s record books, but when it comes to pure talent, few can rival him. Robinson’s senior season was cut short after a season-ending injury against Alabama midway through the year. But Robinson was on his way to a stellar year that season before that and ended up with a solid career despite the injury cutting it short. Robinson held Tennessee’s single game passing record when he threw for 417 yards against UCLA in 1985, and that wouldn’t be broken until Peyton Manning surpassed it in 1996. Robinson also threw a touchdown pass in 13 consecutive games, a streak that wouldn’t be broken until Heath Shuler broke it in the early 1990s. Robinson finished his career with 3,332 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, 187 rushing yards, and four rushing scores.
Jeff Francis (1985-88)
Jeff Francis would end his career with the Vols as the school’s all-time leader in pass completions and passing yards. The starting quarterback after him, Andy Kelly, would subsequently pass all those marks, but Francis was one of the most successful quarterbacks in Tennessee history up to this point in time. Francis finished his Tennessee career with 5,867 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 476 passes completed in his four years. Francis was a three-year starter for the Vols and won 20 of his 33 games he started.
