The 1980s
Willie Gault (1979-82)
Though he never technically got to participate in the Olympics, Willie Gault had Olympic-level talent and was one of the most dynamic athletes in Tennessee history. Gault qualified for the 1980 Olympics as a track athlete, but the U.S. boycotted the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. But Gault still performed highly on the football field for the Vols, catching 89 passes for 1,482 yards and 10 touchdowns. Gault is also the most accomplished kick returner in Tennessee history. His 1,854 kick return yards are still the most in Vol history, as are his four kick return touchdowns. Gault’s 4,035 all-purpose yards are the second-most in school history behind only Stanley Morgan.
Tim McGee (1983-85)
Tennessee began to establish their reputation as “Wide Receiver U” in the 1980s thanks to receivers like Tim McGee. Larry Seivers paved the way in the mid-1970s, and Anthony Hancock helped form that legacy further in the early 1980s. Then Tim McGee furthered upon that by setting records in every major career receiving mark. When McGee finished his career with the Vols, he held the school’s record for catches (123), receiving yards (2,042), and receiving touchdowns (15) in a career. McGee’s 947 receiving yards in 1985 were a school record, and it’s still the 11th-most receiving yards in a single-season in school history. McGee was a captain for the 1985 “Sugar Vols” and was voted an All-American that year.
