By Darin Al Wilson anchors the Tennessee Volunteers defense and leads them to the 1998 National Championship as one of the most dominant linebackers in college football history.
Football Bio
June 21, 1977 – Jackson, Tennessee – Al Wilson, the great linebacker from the University of Tennessee, was born.
The National Football Foundation inducted Al Wilson into their College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
Al Wilson capped his career as one of the Vols’ greatest linebackers by leading them to the 1998 national championship per the NFF.
A consensus First Team All-America in 1998, Wilson was the only All-America selection from the perfect 13-0 Vols squad that won the inaugural BCS National Championship at the Fiesta Bowl against Florida State.
He also guided Tennessee to three other bowl games, including consecutive Citrus Bowl victories in 1996 and 1997.
A first-round pick by the Denver Broncos in the 1999 NFL Draft, Wilson was a five-time Pro Bowl selection while playing for the team from 1999-2006.
Al Wilson solidifies his legacy as the ultimate emotional and physical leader of the Tennessee Volunteers. He translates his collegiate dominance into a stellar professional career, becoming an All-Pro anchor for the Denver Broncos. His induction into the College Football Hall of Fame cements his permanent status as a true giant of the gridiron.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2021.
- National Champion: Led the Tennessee Volunteers to the 1998 BCS National Championship.
- Consensus First-Team All-American: 1998.
- 2× First-Team All-SEC: 1997, 1998.
- 5× NFL Pro Bowl Selection: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006.
- NFL First-Team All-Pro: 2005.
- NFL Second-Team All-Pro: 2006.
- First-Round NFL Draft Pick: Selected 31st overall by the Denver Broncos in the 1999 NFL Draft.
- State & School Halls of Fame: Enshrined in both the University of Tennessee Athletics and the State of Tennessee Sports Halls of Fame.