Ranking Tennessee Football's Top 10 Quarterbacks In School History

The University of Tennessee has had great players at every position when it comes to the game of football. That includes the quarterback position, which is one of the most discussed positions when it comes to the past of Tennessee football. While everyone has their own opinion, and no one is technically right, it is always fun to determine where each of the former gunslingers stands.

This is what led me to release my own personal top 10 when it comes to the quarterback position. Some may love it, and some may think it is absolutely horrible, but that is what makes the University of Tennessee so incredible, as there are so many places that were interchangeable on my list.

Here is how I have my top 10.

10. Tony Robinson

Just inside the top 10 is Tony Robinson. Robinson was a multi-year contributor who often flies under the radar. He just beat out the likes of Andy Kelly and recent contributors to the Vols' offense. What gave him the nod over a quarterback like Kelly is the TD:Int ratio. While Robinson's ratio wasn't perfect or even ideal, he still had a better ratio than Kelly. Robinson was solid in his time in Tennessee and is someone who doesn't deserve to go unnoticed.

9. Condredge Holloway

An all-time great that many fans have loved ever since they first became a fan. Holloway not making the list would be a bit disrespectful, although many will believe that Holloway is a bit too low. He was excellent and far beyond his time with some of the things he was doing, but the quarterbacks to play at Tennessee are no joke. Holloway is on the list, but he is at No. 9 for me.

8. Tyler Bray

Tyler Bray makes the list, as Bray was one of the best passers that the University has had when it comes to yard production. He finished his career with almost 70 passing touchdowns and also had fewer than 30 interceptions. The lefty gunslinger is a quarterback that many can't forget, as he was one of the limited bright spots under head football coach Derek Dooley.

7. Heath Shuler

Heath Shuler was an awesome quarterback in Knoxville. He was consistent and a clean quarterback when it came to keeping the ball out of the defense's hands. This is something that can be overlooked when you see some of the other quarterbacks with 70+ touchdown careers, but Shuler's ability to lead and take over a critical game is something that won't go unnoticed. I believe Shuler has been one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the history of the Vols, and I feel he is deserving of this spot.

6. Josh Dobbs

Tennessee players Jalen Hurd, left, Alvin Kamara, and Joshua Dobbs celebrate following the Vols' 38-31 win over Georgia Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at Neyland Stadium. Utvsugathroughtheyears28 | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

This is where I will likely get some hate online. Dobbs is well deserving to be up on the list, and it was honestly a coin flip with some of the quarterbacks ahead of him. Dobbs is special due to his ability to run, along with already being a top passing quarterback. Even with some limited help from a coaching staff, Dobbs was able to spend multiple seasons as a starter and was great in each year. Dobbs is who many believe is the most underrated quarterback in Tennessee history, and there is a great case.

5. Erik Ainge

Erik Ainge, a Tennessee football legend that many love to this day. He had some massive moments and was gutsy when it comes to fitting the ball into places that the average quarterback wouldn't look to attempt. Ainge was a player that many looked forward to watching on game days and was an extremely good player. I believe that he is going to forever be in history as one of the best gunslingers in Tennessee history, which is why he made the cut.

4. Casey Clausen

Casey Clausen is next up on the list. He is one of the more gifted passers that Tennessee has ever seen, as he even finished around 10,000 passing yards, falling just short with 9,707 in four seasons. Clausen was an excellent quarterback, and one who many in the SEC feared. He isn't a quarterback that should be overlooked in Tennessee history, due to the fact that he was slinging the ball with some gutsy decision-making. His unbelievable playmaking in the pocket led to some massive plays in the Orange and White.

3. Tee Martin

This one could be viewed as a bit controversial, as he isn't the most proven quarterback statistically, but he is a quarterback who has accomplished something that many didn't. That, of course, being the national championship that he helped lead the Vols to. Martin was excellent in that season, and capping it off with a national championship was a cherry on top. He finished his career with 4,592 passing yards, along with 32 touchdowns.

2. Hendon Hooker

In my opinion, there hasn't been a quarterback who was more automatic in a single system than Hendon Hooker with the Tennessee Volunteers under head football coach Josh Heupel. He mastered an offense that is extremely tricky, which was already impressive enough, but he is also someone who made a real push for a Heisman Trophy. He also threw only five interceptions while throwing for 48 touchdowns. Tennessee fans will likely believe this is too high, but Hooker is deserving to be high up on the list.

1. Peyton Manning

Are you shocked? I know I'm not. Peyton Manning is the greatest Tennessee football quarterback in the history of the program. He was great in his time on Rocky Top and would later become a top quarterback in the history of the NFL. His effort in Knoxville led him to be a legend that everyone knows around the college. This was the easiest selection of the day, in my opinion.

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