RTI contributor Noah Taylor is the author of this article
Three former Tennessee football standouts are now up for the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Class. Linebacker Al Wilson, linebacker Bobby Majors, and wide receiver Willie Gault are among the 78 FBS players on the ballot.
The National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame announced the official 2021 ballot consisting of 78 players and seven coaches on Tuesday.
Wilson, Majors, and Gault join ten other former SEC players on the ballot and are hoping to join 24 former Vols who are already enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Wilson, whose image was added to the backside of Neyland Stadium’s jumbotron in 2018, was a national champion, two-time SEC champion, and consensus First Team All-American for Tennessee. He starred for the Vols from 1995-98.
Wilson anchored a Vols defense that helped Tennessee to four AP Top 10 finishes and was twice named an All-SEC linebacker.
A native of Jackson, TN, Wilson ended up as a first round pick in the 1999 NFL Draft and had an All-Pro career with the Denver Broncos between 1999-2006, making five Pro Bowls in that span.
Gault played for former Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors and was named a First Team All-American in 1982. He was a standout receiver and returner for UT form 1979-82.
The speedster was instrumental in the Vols’ three-straight bowl trips between 1980-1982, and he set six SEC records and 12 program records as a punt and kick-off return specialist. In 1980, Gault tied the NCAA record for most kick return touchdowns in a single season, taking three back for scores during his sophomore campaign. Gault was also a prolific hurdler and sprinter for Tennessee’s track team. Gault also played in the NFL, doing so for 11 seasons and helping the Chicago Bears win Super Bowl XX.
Majors was a factor for Tennessee both on defense and special teams during his All-American career.
The younger brother of Johnny Majors and a teammates of former Tennessee head coach and current athletic director Phillip Fulmer, Bobby Majors helped Bill Battle’s Vol squads to postseason wins in the 1971 Sugar Bowl and 1972 Liberty Bowl.
Majors was also a two-time First Team All-SEC selection and still holds the school record with 10 interceptions during the 1971 season. Majors added to his record-setting career by becoming the leader in punt returns with 117 as well as career punt return yardage with 1,163 total yards. His four punt return touchdowns are also a program record. Majors was drafted in the third round of the 1972 NFL Draft.
According to the National Football Foundation’s selection process, players that are considered for the College Football Hall of Fame must have earned First Team All-American status during their career and must have played at least 10 full seasons ago. Off the field character is also considered in the process.
Players will be voted on and selected for the hall of fame in early 2021, and an official induction ceremony will take place on Dec. 7, 2021 in New York City.
