We all know the story. Tennessee football finally won the national title the year they replaced their star quarterback and greatest player in history, Peyton Manning. They went from 11-2 and an SEC title in 1997 to 13-0 and winning it all in 1998 while replacing Manning and All-American and future NFL Pro Bowler Leonard Little.
Future NFL starting center Trey Teague, top cornerback, return specialist and future NFL starter Terry Fair, record-setting receiver Marcus Nash and defensive end Jonathan Brown, who had 13.5 sacks in 1997, also left. Oh, and freshman All-American and future 2,000-yard NFL rusher Jamal Lewis suffered a season-ending injury four games into 1998.