The Tennessee Volunteers have a former legend up for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026. In his first season on the ballot, former Tennessee tight end Jason Witten is among 15 finalists for the Hall of Fame class that will be announced in February.
Witten, one of the greatest and toughest tight ends in NFL history, appears on the ballot in his first year of eligibility after being retired for five seasons. While it’s still to be seen whether he makes the actual class, his spot as a finalist shows just how big an impact he made on the game.
The Tennessee native and UT product is the Dallas Cowboys’ all-time leader in games played (255), receptions (1,215), and receiving yards (12,977). He is also one of just two players in the franchise’s storied history to earn 11 Pro Bowl nods.
Witten was drafted by the Cowboys in 2003 and wound up playing in Dallas until 2017. He announced his retirement before the 2018 season, but had the itch to return after just one season away. He returned to the Cowboys in 2019 before playing his final season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. Witten served as an analyst in the Monday Night Football broadcasting booth during his lone season away from the gridiron.
More From RTI: Tennessee Football Offensive Lineman is Reportedly Headed to the Transfer Portal
Prior to his storied career in the NFL, the Elizabethton, TN, native chose to play his college ball in his home state. He spent three seasons with the Volunteers from 2000 to 2002 and saw playing time in each. His breakout season came as a sophomore, tallying 28 receptions for 293 yards and two touchdowns as the team’s third-leading receiver. He capped off the season with a 125-yard showing against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day 2001.
Witten’s junior season on Rocky Top produced even better stats. He started all 13 games for the Vols, catching 39 passes for 493 yards and five touchdowns. Witten led the team in receiving while being named a John Mackey Award semi-finalist. He also set the Tennessee program record for receiving yards by a tight end in 2002.
But while Witten is hoping to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first attempt, Tennessee is looking to close the deal with his son, Cooper. The class of 2027 prospect is a five-star linebacker from Argyle, TX, and the 21st-ranked player in the class, according to 247Sports. Tennessee is one of 10 finalists for Cooper’s recruitment, alongside Oklahoma, Texas, Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas Tech, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas A&M.
Witten will need 80% of the votes from the selection committee to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which will be announced the week of the Super Bowl in San Francisco in February. He’s up against a stacked list of finalists, but it looks to be more of a matter of when – and not if – the former Tennessee native and product winds up enshrined in gold.
