Rocky Top will always be the dominant college powerhouse in the state of Tennessee with Volunteers having historical success in women's basketball and talented athletes in football, softball and track and field. But when putting a list of the 10 best athletes in Tennessee, there are other schools to consider.
Vanderbilt, Memphis and Tennessee State are among the 11 other schools that compete in Division I athletics across the state. Each of the aforementioned trio have standouts that deserve inclusion in the discussion.
Here's a look at the top 10 greatest college athletes to ever play in the state of Tennessee, part of the USA TODAY Sports USA 250 initiative:
10 greatest college athletes from Tennessee
Monica Abbott, Tennessee
The 2007 SEC female athlete
of the year, Abbott set NCAA records in wins, strikeouts, shutouts and became the first pitcher to post at least 500 strikeouts in four consecutive seasons. She guided the Vols to three Women's College World Series berths and struck out a record 734 batters her senior year and was named national player of the year. Abbott is the NCAA leader in career strikeouts (2,440) as part of a career that includes 23 no-hitters and six perfect games.
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Peyton Manning, Tennessee
He didn't win the Heisman or a national title, but no Tennessee list is complete without Manning. He set 42 NCAA, SEC and Vols records and won the Sullivan Award, given to the nation's top amateur athlete. He also won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Davey O'Brien and Maxwell awards as a senior. Manning went 39-6 record as a starter and left as the SEC's all-time career passing leader, with 11,201 yards (third on all-time NCAA list).
Tamika Catchings, Tennessee
A four-time All-American, Catchings' Vols were 134-10 in her four seasons, including a 39-0 national championship season in 1997-98. She swept the national player of the year honors in 2000 as a junior. Her senior year was limited with injury but she still finished her career fourth on the Vols' all-time scoring list (2,113 points).
Justin Gatlin, Tennessee
Gatlin won six individual NCAA sprint titles, leading the Vols to 2001 team outdoor and indoor national titles. He became the first sprinter since 1957 to win consecutive NCAA titles in the 100-metter and 200-meter dash and was named male Collegiate Athlete of the Year by Track & Field News. Gatlin would go on to win gold in the 100 at the Athens Olympic and two silvers and bronze in his career.
PROGRAM RANKINGS: Top 25 | Big Ten | SEC | ACC | Big 12
Reggie White, Tennessee
One of the great defensive linemen in college foootball history, White posted a school-record 32 sacks in his four seasons in Knoxville. He was named 1983 SEC Player of the Year as a senior and consensus All-American after posting 15 sacks and 100 tackles (72 unassisted). A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, White retired as the NFL's all-time sack leader.
Candace Parker, Tennessee
Arguably one of the best women's college basketball players of all-time, Parker led the Vols to consecutive national championships in 2007 and 2008. A three-time All-American, she swept the national player of the year honors in 2008 and her No. 3 jersey number is also retired by Tennessee after a career with 2,137 points and 972 rebounds.
Keith Lee, Memphis
A three-time consensus All-American and Memphis' all-time leading scorer and rebounder, the 6-foot-11 Lee led the Tigers to the 1985 Final Four. The Metro Conference Player of the Year in 1982 and 1985, Lee sometimes gets lost in the conversation of 80s dominant big men, but he certainly deserves mention after averaging 18.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks over his four-year Memphis career.
Gil Reese, Vanderbilt
Reese captained Vanderbilt's football, basketball and baseball teams as a senior in 1924-25. That's worth some recognition. The Tupelo Flash was a two-time All-Southern Conference pick in football, earning All-America honors in 1923 and 1924 as a halfback and punt returner. “When you say that Mr. Reese is a combination of greyhound, rabbit, antelope, and a greased pig you mildly do this gentleman justice," Morgan Blake of the Atlanta Journal wrote. Legend has it, he beat Vandy's track team in a race ... while wearing his baseball uniform.
Wilma Rudolph, Tennessee State
Rudolph already had an Olympic bronze medal to her credit prior to enrolling at Tennessee. During her career with the Tigers, she added three gold medals, winning the 100 and 200 dashes and 4x100 relay at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Rudolph was joined by three TSU teammates on that gold-medal winning relay team. She was named Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year in 1960 and 1961 before retiring from competing in 1962, finishing her degree in elementary education.
Dick Barnett, Tennessee State
A three-time NAIA All-American, Barnett led TIgers to three men's basketball national titles in a row, winning tournament MVP twice. Barnett graduated as the school's all-time leading scorer with 3,209 points and his jersey is the only Tennessee State men's basketball number retired. He won two NBA titles with the New York Knicks and his jersey is retired in Madison Square Garden, as well.
Also under consideration: DeAngelo Williams (Memphis); Dansby Swanson (Vanderbilt); Chamique Holdsclaw (Tennessee); Bernard King (Tennessee); Anfernee Hardaway (Memphis), Bill Wade (Vanderbilt)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA250: 10 greatest college athletes from Tennessee
