Tennessee is one of those states that keeps a nice collective of collegiate football programs worthy of keeping an eye on. They've also had some praise-worthy NFL alumni come from the Volunteer State including the likes of Jason Witeen and Patrick Willis. While those two prominent individuals are great, Reggie White holds the NFL GOAT status for the state of Tennessee. The 6'0, 300lbs defensive end from Chattanooga, Tennessee played his college ball in his home state at the University of Tennessee where he set the single-season record for sacks registering 15 in 1983.
Prior to going to the NFL, White was selected by the Memphis Showboats in the 1984 USFL Territorial Draft where he played two seasons. After the USFL collapsed, White took his talents to the Philadelphia Eagles where he would begin his fifteen-year career. Of those fifteen seasons, White was selected for the Pro Bowl thirteen times and selected All-Pro First Team a total of ten times. White terrorized offensive lines, running backs, and quarterbacks notching 198 tackles and 33 sacks throughout his NFL tenure. He also helped the Green Bay Packers obtain the Lombardi Trophy in 1996. These days White has taken his talents to the church and is known as 'The Minister of Defense.'