The 1970s
Curt Watson (1969-71)
A three-time All-SEC player, Curt Watson, also known as “The Crossville Comet,” is one of the best Vol running backs in school history. Watson’s career technically started in the late 1960s, but he did most of his damage as a Vol in the 1970s. Watson hasn’t played for the Vols in over 40 years, but he still is inside the Vols’ top-10 leading rushers of all-time. His 2,364 rushing yards were a Tennessee record until Johnnie Jones would surpass that mark just over a decade later. Watson’s 22 career rushing touchdowns was one of the highest totals in a Tennessee career at the time as well.
Haskel Stanback (1971-73)
If not for injuries, Haskel Stanback would likely be even higher up on Tennessee’s career record books. As it was, Stanback still left his mark in the Vols’ record books. His first full year as a starter in 1972 saw him break the Vols’ record for most rushing yards in a season when he totaled 890 yards and 13 touchdowns on 183 carries. That mark wouldn’t be broken until 1983 by Johnnie Jones. Stanback finished with 1,730 rushing yards and 20 scores in his Tennessee career.
