John Michels was the "best blocking guard in the United States," Gen. Robert R. Neyland once said. Michels guided the 1951 Vols to their first consensus national championship. Tennessee rushed for 3,068 yards, scored 40 touchdowns on the ground and rushed for 306.8 yards per game - all school records. He was an All-SEC selection in 1951 and received both all-conference and All-America accolades in 1952. During Michels' senior season, he was awarded the Jacobs Trophy given to the SEC's best blocker. He is one of the 13 Vols to win the award all-time. Michels played on teams which compiled a 27-4-1 record. He served as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Vikings for 27 years and was in four Super Bowls.