Tennessee has always been good at producing NFL talent. But now the data shows that they also have a penchant for getting players into the biggest game in the NFL.
According to NFL.com, the Vols have had the second-most players on Super Bowl rosters in NFL history. The data dates back to the AFL-NFL merger back in 1970, and Tennessee has had the second-most alumni in the Super Bowl since then. The Vols have had 61 former players on Super Bowl rosters over the last nearly five decades. Only Miami has produced more, edging out the Vols with 62 players in the Super Bowl since the merger.
Tennessee is represented in the Super Bowl by rookie defensive end Derek Barnett this season. Barnett was the first round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2017 NFL Draft, and he’s helped the Eagles’ defense stifle teams all season long. Philadelphia will take on New England this Sunday, February 4th in Super Bowl LII.
The Vols are far and away tops in the SEC when it comes to producing Super Bowl talent. The next-closest SEC team is Georgia with 47 players on Super Bowl rosters. The Bulldogs have a player on each roster for the Super Bowl this year.
Here’s how the SEC stacked up in the rankings (the data only ranked the top 21 teams):
Tennessee: 61 players (2nd)
Georgia: 47 players (tied 12th)
Florida: 46 (14th)
Alabama: 40 (tied 15th)
LSU: 40 (tied 15th)
