Everybody in Knoxville remembers Jason Witten’s breakout game. It was 2001, and the Tennessee Vols were just coming off of a heartbreaking loss to the Georgia Bulldogs. They traveled to Tuscaloosa to face the Alabama Crimson Tide.
That’s when the legend of Jason Witten, a converted defensive end, was born.
Witten had seven catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. He led the team that day, but what was most memorable was how he carried defenders.
Because of Tennessee’s weapons in Donte Stallworth and Kelley Washington, Witten remained a backup in 2001. Phillip Fulmer’s philosophy for that team was to make blocking a priority at tight end.