Vols Jersey Countdown #19

Aug. 12, 2013

#19

Player Spotlight

Jeff Francis
Quarterback (1985-88)

A three-year starter at quarterback for the Vols from 1986-88, Jeff Francis threw for 5,867 career yards and 31 touchdowns to rank fifth on the UT all-time passing yardage chart. He finished his career in 1988 as the Vols' all-time career passing yardage leader.

Francis was named Most Valuable Player for his performance in the 1986 Liberty Bowl versus Minnesota and helped guide Tennessee to a 10-2-1 record and a victory over Indiana in the Peach Bowl as a junior. A four-year letterman, Francis was a backup quarterback on Tennessee's 1985 SEC championship team.

Why I Wore the Number

Devrin Young
Running Back/Wide Receiver(2011-pres.)

"I just took number 19 as an opportunity to put it on the map. When you see number 19 no one significantly stands out to you, so I just took it as an opportunity to make it known. Hopefully, I'm able to put good thoughts into people's minds when they see the number 19."

Why I Wore the Number

Johnny Watts
Defensive Back(1977-79)

"I was a walk on in 1975 and 1976. Coach Majors came to town for the 1977 season and I got my shot, mostly on special teams and limited action at defensive back. I was called into Coach Major's office before our Monday night practice for Vandy. I had a good game against Kentucky when our cornerback was injured late in the game, forcing a fumble that gave us a chance to win and Coach Majors told me he was putting me on scholarship and I was first team. When I first walked on in 1975 it was the first year the NCAA limited scholarships to 30 a year. We had 98 walk ons that year and 30 scholarships. To earn a ride for the next three years and play was the best. I lettered the next two years and we went to Houston for the Bluebonnet bowl. I wore number 19 proud. Really any number would have been great, but number 19 was MINE!"

Fan Favorite 19s

Tweet @Vol_Football to tell us who your favorite Vol to wear the No. 19 is!

ALL-TIME 19s

Bill Markey Luttrell - 1937
Bob Andridge - 1938, 39, 40
Bob Slater - 1941
Walter Slater - 1942
Jack Redding - 1944
R.A. Long - 1945, 46
W.C. Cooper - 1947, 48, 49, 50
Hal Hubbard - 1951, 52, 53
David Shields - 1960
Hubert McClain - 1961
Bob Petrella - 1963
Hal Wantland - 1964, 65
Rusty Kidd - 1967
Sammy Hair - 1972, 73, 74
Hayes Gilliam - 1975, 76
Jim Sheffer - 1977
Johnny Watts - 1978, 79
Carlton Peoples - 1981, 82
Jeff Francis - 1985, 86, 87, 88
Kevin Wendelboe - 1989
Mose Phillips - 1991, 92,93,94
Mark Levine - 1995, 96,97
Shawn Seabrooks - 1999
Eric Campbell - 2000
Alex Walls - 1999,00,01,02
John C. Henderson - 2003,04
Jarod Parrish - 2004,05,06,07
Chris Donald - 2008,09
Nick Lamaison - 2009,10
Tyler Coombes - 2011,12
Devrin Young - 2011,12

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