Most people from Augusta, Georgia think of the color green, but for one Augusta native the first color that pops into mind his orange. Balling out at Josey High, High School All-American Deon Grant was coveted by everyone. He quickly found a college home in Knoxville.

"I really didn't know too much," Grant said as he recalled his recruitment. "I knew about the Dale Carter's and Reggie White's, but I didn't know too much. I was thinking about Miami and Georgia Tech because I was thinking about electrical engineering for a major and I was into basketball. It was the guys that recruited me for Tennessee that helped push Tennessee over the top. Coach Garner and Coach Ramsey really came down and laid an impression on me and my mom. It was what they said to make them separate themselves at the time. They told me they needed me versus they want me. That just stood out to me."

And while the Vol staff played a key role, it was another former Vol and future teammate that also play a role in helping push Tennessee over the top.

"Jamal (Lewis) really helped convince me that Tennessee was the right place," Grant said. "Being from Georgia, we hated Florida because of the high school rivalries between Georgia and Florida. I was on the fence at the time and he helped me see we had the chance to stop the dominance that (Florida) had against Tennessee."

Grant was part of the golden-era of Tennessee football. The Vols rarely lost and #7 was always making eye-popping plays in both practice and on gameday. On a night when pandemonium rained, it was Grant with one of the biggest plays in a 20-17 overtime win over those very Gators.

"That was something that I did," Grant said. "That was me in a sense. I was always practicing one handed interceptions so when I saw that play I knew I had a chance to make something happen. We knew that we were going to have to come out big in that game. We were able to go out and get it done."

Grant played with several other Peach state products and it was utter domination over their home-state Georgia Bulldogs that still brings a smile to Grant's face.

"It was huge," Grant said. "We knew in the off-season, when we went home to visit where everyone is a Georgia fan, we never had to hear about it because we always beat those guys. Our mission was to make sure we took care of Georgia, if we didn't take care of anything else."

During his Junior season in 1999, Grant also made his presence felt on the first play with a pick-six against Auburn that made Neyland shake.

"When you prepare yourself and opportunity presents itself, you are going to be there to make the play," Grant said. "I really mentally studied a lot and I was just doing what I was coached. That was the first and only time I ever made that kind of play on the first play. I remember that play so well and it's hard to forget it. It was like I was floating. It was like the crowd was on the field with me. It was that loud."

Big plays were a calling card for Grant, but one of his favorite moments wearing the orange and white is a play that never came at him.

"One of my favorites was when Dwayne (Goodrich) intercepted the ball and went to the house in the national championship game," Grant said. "Peter Warrick and I were going back and forth in the media all week long. Anyone that knew anything about college football, knows he was amazing. I told him we were going to shut him down and Dwayne stepped up and made that happen."

Grant left after his junior campaign where he was selected in the 2nd round of the 2000 NFL draft by Carolina. He went on to play 12 seasons before retiring in 2013. He went on to win a Super Bowl with the New York Giants, but it never felt the same as Rocky Top.

"Coming from the best place in college football," Grant said. "I just felt like it was a step down when I was drafted by Carolina. They were a new franchise. I just felt like it was more political. I enjoyed the money I was making, but I had to find new ways to enjoy the game. I had to find ways to have fun playing because it isn't the same as Tennessee. It was a huge adjustment."

These days, Grant is back in Georgia working side by side with another former Vol.

"Steve Johnson and I own a Pizza Bar in Atlanta," Grant said. "I'm doing that and still working with the NFL as a mentor in the communities. (Steve) is doing well, but I still talk to guys like Leonard (Little) and Jamal (Lewis) often."

Grant hasn't been back to Neyland since 2000, but plans on returning soon. And the thought of being a potential "Legend" of the game doesn't sound to bad.

"That would awesome," Grant said. "I haven't been back because I was always playing and it never worked out for me to be close enough. The only time I've been back was the year after I left because I injured my hip and missed the rest of the season. I hope to be around more now that I'm done playing."