Who Are the Three Volunteers on the Ballot?
According to the National Football Foundation (NFF), Willie Gault, John Henderson, and Larry Seivers are Tennessee Vols nominated for the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot. This marks a historic moment for Tennessee, reinforcing the program’s longstanding excellence. Let’s explore each player’s journey and contributions.
Willie Gault — The Speedster
Career Highlights
- Position: Wide Receiver / Kick returner
- Tenure: Lettered 1979–1982
- Accolades:
- 1982 Consensus First-Team All‑American
- Six-time SEC individual track & field champion
- Set 6 conference records in punt & kickoff returns
- Tied NCAA record with 3 kickoff return touchdowns in a single season (1980)
- Finished collegiate career with 82 catches, 1,482 yards, 10 TDs
- Averaged a blazing 16.4 yards per touch
What Made Him Special
Willie was the embodiment of elite athleticism. His speed was off the charts—he excelled in track and field and carried that edge onto the football field. Whether slicing through coverage or flipping the field on kick returns, his presence altered defenses’ strategies overnight. His versatility made him a dual threat: explosive receiver and dynamic return man. That blend of skills made him one of the most electrifying athletes in Tennessee history.
Beyond the College Field
After Knoxville, Gault had a successful NFL run, most notably with the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders. Though his NFL career isn’t the primary basis for Hall of Fame induction, it does show the professional level he maintained post-college. His NCAA kickoff return record remains one of his most enduring legacies.
John Henderson — The Dominant Force on the D-line
Career Highlights
- Position: Defensive Tackle
- Tenure: 1999–2001 (Redshirt 1998)
- Accolades:
- Two-time Consensus First-Team All‑American
- Two-time First-Team All‑SEC
- 2000 Outland Trophy winner (nation’s best interior lineman)
- 2000 SEC Defensive Player of the Year
- Recorded 71 tackles, 9 TFLs, 12 sacks, 4 FF, 3 FR in 2000
Team Impact
Henderson was the anchor of a Tennessee defense that terrorized opponents in 2000, allowing just 817 rushing yards all season—a school record at the time (utsports.com, wvlt.tv). His ability to disrupt was seen in every game, consistently collapsing pockets and shutting down run lanes. He was the rock around which a dominant D-line was built.
Legacy and Honors
In addition to the Outland title, Henderson was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s best defensive player) (utsports.com, wvlt.tv). He also earned induction into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023. His style—powerful, relentless, authoritative—defined Tennessee’s early-2000s defense.
Larry Seivers — The Precision Receiver
Career Highlights
- Position: Wide Receiver
- Tenure: 1972–1976 (with redshirt in 1973)
- Accolades:
- Two-time Consensus First-Team All‑American (1975–76)
- Two-time First-Team All‑SEC
- First Tennessee WR to surpass 800 receiving yards in a season (1975)
- Career totals: 117 catches, 1,924 yards, 14.5 yards per catch avg
What Made Him Stand Out
Seivers was a reliable, consistent performer. After a quiet start and redshirting, he came of age in 1974 and never looked back. His route-running, hands, and field vision made him the Vols’ go-to target. By the end of his tenure, he held program records for receptions and yardage—standing atop reception charts for over a decade.
Honors
In addition to his All‑American and All‑SEC recognition, Larry was named 1977 SEC Athlete of the Year. His career numbers still place him among Tennessee’s all‑time best—a testament to his skill at the receiver position.
Tennessee’s Hall of Fame Tradition
Tennessee has a storied legacy with the College Football Hall of Fame:
- 26 inductees to date: 22 players + 4 coaches—the most in the SEC
- Eric Berry, a legendary safety, is the most recent Vol elected (Class of 2023)
- The program’s inductees include legends like Peyton Manning, Reggie White, Johnny Majors, Buck Belue—names synonymous with greatness.
Being on the ballot is more than nostalgia—it’s recognition that Gault, Henderson, and Seivers are part of that elite tradition.
Timeline & Next Steps
- Ballot announced: June 3, 2024
- Class selection: “Early 2025”
- Induction event: 67th NFF Dinner at Bellagio, Las Vegas – December 9, 2025
It’s possible you referenced the 2026 Hall of Fame ballot, but as of June 2024, the ballot was named for the 2025 induction class. So while these players are competing for the 2025 induction, discussions of 2026 remain speculative until that next ballot is released in summer 2025.
Legacy: What Their Ballot Inclusions Mean
- Gault redefines playmaking speed at Tennessee. If inducted, he’d amplify his record as one of the top return specialists in NCAA history.
- Henderson stands as the archetype of the power interior lineman—his Outland Trophy and team-leading defense reflect this.
- Seivers sets the standard for Vol receiver excellence—his consistency and volume remain benchmarks decades later.
Their ballot inclusion signals that the NFF acknowledges their dominance and hopes their impact is remembered beyond campus lore.
Broader Picture: Hall of Fame & Vols in the Pipeline
- The College Football Hall of Fame ballot is extremely competitive: over 5.7 million former players, ~1,500 first‑team All-Americans, but fewer than 1,100 inducted .
- Tennessee’s 26 inductees place them third among Power 5 programs—just behind Ohio State and Notre Dame in raw numbers.
- Recent Tennessee candidates on the ballot include Josh Heupel (5-time nominee), Eric Berry (inducted class of 2023), Willie Gault & Larry Seivers (multiple ballots since 2021/2022).
- High-profile national inductees in 2025 include Nick Saban, Michael Vick, Urban Meyer, and Michael Strahan, indicating the broader, competitive context .
What to Watch: Battlegrounds & Factors for Selection
- Voter Preferences – NFF tends to favor first-team All-Americans (all three are).
- Career dominance – Henderson’s Outland Trophy, Seivers’ yardage milestones, Gault’s kickoff records add high significance.
- Team legacy – All three were part of nationally and regionally successful teams, which often helps ballot positioning.
- Multiple ballots – Gault and Seivers have been nominated before—their consistency may help. Henderson’s debut adds novelty.
Player-by-Player Hall of Fame Case Summary
| Player | Key Accolades | Case Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Willie Gault | All‑American; NCAA kickoff record | Speed and athletic versatility; dominant returns |
| John Henderson | Outland Trophy; All‑American; SEC DPOY | Defensive anchor; national-level dominance |
| Larry Seivers | Two-time All‑American; receptions record | High productivity in a passing role |
Beyond stats, their nominations also highlight off-field excellence: NCAA Scholar-Athletes, community leadership, and positive influence on Tennessee’s football program.
What’s Next for Tennessee & Why This Matters
- Their inclusion boosts Tennessee’s national football prestige and aids recruiting.
- If selected in December 2025, these players will officially join the ranks of Tennessee legends at the Bellagio—and their achievements will be permanently celebrated at the Hall of Fame’s facilities.
- Even if not inducted, ballot inclusion secures their place in historic discussions and helps keep Tennessee’s legacy visible.
Looking Ahead: 2026 & Beyond
- As of June 2024, the 2026 ballot has not yet been released. That will likely occur in June 2025.
- That ballot could bring forward candidates from later Vol classes—players from the 2000s onward.
- Veterans like CJ Fountain, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, or Justin Smith may one day grace future ballots, keeping Tennessee’s presence alive.
The 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot features three distinguished Tennessee legends—Willie Gault, John Henderson, and Larry Seivers. Each built an indelible legacy: Gault’s electric speed, Henderson’s commanding defense, and Seivers’ consistent elite receiving. These nominations underscore not just their individual greatness, but Tennessee football’s enduring excellence.
- Their All-American status, record-setting performances, and leadership on successful Vol teams make their Hall of Fame credentials compelling.
- Their nods add to a tradition that already boasts 26 inducted Vols—the most players from any SEC school.
- Final voting in early 2025, with induction ceremonies in Las Vegas on December 9, 2025, will determine if they join that illustrious hall
