The state of Mississippi has produced alot great players through the years. From time to time it's been Tennessee dipping into the Magnolia State to get on of their best. That was the case in the early 2000s when the Vols went into Madison, Mississippi to land defensive end Parys Haralson.

"When I first started looking at Tennessee, my mom played a big part," Haralson said. "Steve Caldwell recruited me and they had players like John Henderson and Al Wilson and Raynoch Thompson and Leonard Little. You had seen those guys on TV."

Haralson made his mind up that Tennessee was his choice during his official visit while at Calhouns on the River. He told his mom in that moment that he knew Knoxville was the place for him. For the next four years, Haralson played an instrumental role on the defensive like that was coached by the duo of Steve Caldwell and Dan Brooks.

"They just brought that attitude that they were great teachers and great influencers," Haralson said. "As a young man they showed you that they genuinely cared along with coach Chavis when he was the defensive coordinator. I enjoyed playing for them because you knew they cared about me. Whether it was in football or life period, they were the people that were positive influences that helped push you along the way."

Haralson tallied 21 sacks during his four years on Rocky Top. He was rewarded by earning All-SEC honors for his ability to get to the quarterback. There were some big plays coming off the edge, but that's not what he recalls. It's the people he met at Tennessee that he cherishes the most.

"I have great memories, but it was more about the relationships," Haralson said. "Some of the guys I met at Tennessee are my best friends to this day like Turk (McBride), Jason (Allen), Omar (Gaither) and Marvin (Mitchell). Tony McDaniel is with the 49ers now where I work. He's still playing. I played with (Robert) Meachem and Jabari Greer in New Orleans for a while. Those relationships will last me a lifetime."

Some of his favorite moments were the 2004 Florida game and the 2002 seven overtime thriller with Arkansas. Being affiliated with the Tennessee program has continued on with him during his almost decade career in the NFL.

"It means a lot," Haralson said. "The tradition of Tennessee. You go in and put a lot of work in and you put a lot of time in. You build upon your memories. You carry on that great tradition of Tennessee football. Coming from Mississippi, I didn't know the history and then you get there and you learn about running through the T and all the stories. It's simply amazing.

"The first time you go on the Vol walk is crazy. The atmosphere and people is awesome. You smell the tailgaters. The Vol walk is something everyone should experience, but everyone can't because everyone can't be a Volunteer."

Haralson wrapped up his Tennessee career in 2005 with a season that left him third in the conference in tackles for loss. At the time it was the eighth best season in school history. And no matter what he was able to accomplish on the field, it was another achievement he is most proud of.

"I think getting my degree from the University of Tennessee defines me more than any play or game I played in football," Haralson said. "Football is something I love and I accomplished. But if we are talking football the comeback at LSU after Katrina stands out and there were many moments and memories that I experienced there."