When I think about the “how long has it been?” conversations, I think about JaMarcus Russell.
JaMarcus Russell has been out of the NFL for six years. He was the number one overall pick three years before that. And the year before that he led #13 LSU on a 15-play, 80-yard drive, throwing a touchdown pass on third-and-goal from the four yard line with five seconds left to beat the #8 Vols 28-24 on November 5, 2006.
That was the last time Tennessee was ranked in the Top 10 until today.
Tennessee’s last offensive snap before that LSU drive (which we’re always quick to point out would have been much shorter if instant replay was around in 2006 when Russell fumbled before being ruled down) was this one: freshman Jonathan Crompton in his first meaningful appearance, heaving and hoping and creating expectations for himself.