Hank Lauricella: Tennessee Vols Legend & Hall of Famer
Hank Lauricella captivated college football fans as a dynamic, two-way threat who executed the single-wing offense and led the Tennessee Volunteers to a national championship.
Football Bio
October 9, 1930 – Hank Lauricella was a halfback from the University of Tennessee during the seasons of 1949 through 1951.
The footballfoundation.org website states that Lauricella was nicknamed “Mr. Everything” as the two-way player was the key man in the Vols’ single-wing offense, using his legs and arm to move the ball, as well as being the starting safety on defense and the leading return man for both punts and kicks.
In 1950, the Volunteers sported a record of 10-1 and were crowned national champions by the Dunkel Index.
Lauricella was pivotal to the team’s scoring, rushing for 573 yards that season with a 4.7-yard average while carrying the ball over the goal line four times and throwing for five more scores.
The team was invited to the Cotton Bowl in 1951 to cap off the brilliant season, and they faced the Texas Longhorns.
Hank started the offense early in the game with a very memorable run that began on the Vol’s 20-yard line, had him weave through a Texas defense, and reverse direction three times before being taken down at the Longhorn 5-yard line.
The 75-yard scamper set up the first score of the day and led to a Tennessee 20-14 victory.
In the game, Lauricella had 131 yards on the ground and was inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame.
How do you follow up a junior season such as that?
Well, in 1951, Hank Lauricella won the Heisman Trophy, averaging over 7 yards per carry for the entire season, and the Associated Press voted them as the National Champs.
The National Football Foundation voted Hank Lauricella into its College Football Hall of Fame in 1981. [National Football Foundation]
Hank Lauricella cemented his legacy as a versatile powerhouse who permanently elevated the standard for Tennessee Volunteers football before embarking on a dedicated 32-year career in public service.
Verified Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Served in the Louisiana State Legislature for 32 years (House of Representatives and State Senate).
- Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981.
- Consensus First-Team All-American (1951).
- Finished second in the 1951 Heisman Trophy voting (Note: The provided text incorrectly states he won; Dick Kazmaier of Princeton won the 1951 Heisman).
- Led the Tennessee Volunteers to the 1951 AP National Championship.
- Two-time First-Team All-SEC (1950, 1951).
- Inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame for his legendary 75-yard run and 131-yard rushing performance against Texas.
- Drafted in the 17th round of the 1952 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
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