Memory VolT: Catching up with the man they called 'Cheese'

Growing up in the Sunshine state of Florida, a young Travis Henry had his own version of dreams, goals and aspirations. After a stellar career at Frostproof High School, Henry would sign with Tennessee, but as a kid he had other ideas.

"When I was young I wanted to go to the NFL and actually I was an Alabama fan," Henry said. "What sold me on Tennessee was a guy like Alvin Harper who is one of the greats to go there and play there. I had a chance to watch and follow his career and I had no idea I was going to fall in love with the University on my official visit."

Henry joined Jamal Lewis, Travis Stephens, Dominique Stevenson and other backs in the class of 1997. Not everyone stayed in the offensive backfield as a few would move to defense. It was impressive and also meant a healthy competition.

"I had no idea they had running backs coming in from Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee because back then there was no social media and internet like today. I just found out when I got there. I knew about Jamal because he played in the Georgia-Florida game."

It would be Lewis who made an immediate impact as the Georgia native broke the freshman rushing record that season. That left Henry frustrated and searching for his spot.

"It was most definitely hard because I had run for 4,000 yards my senior season of high school," Henry said. "Looking back on it though, I wasn't ready. I had to learn the offense and there were things behind the scenes that people don't know. It was hard to watch that, but it made me stronger and more complete."

Lewis would go down with a knee injury at Auburn in 1998 which would put Henry and Stephens to the front of the running back line. It was later that season that Henry would hear his name called on a memorable drive in a comeback win over Arkansas in a game that saw the stumble and fumble.

"I remember it so vividly," Henry said. "Remember it like it was yesterday. It was too good to be true. I'll never forget we go into that huddle and Spencer Riley looks at me says, 'take us to the promise land' and it was like a light went off. It was one of those perfect moments where the offensive line was getting a good push and we were pounding away. Some of the fans had left and they were coming back in at the end. It was a great game."

Two short years later and it was Henry that set Tennessee's career rushing mark with 3,078 yards. His single season record of over 4,000 yards in the state of Florida would eventually be passed by Derrick Henry. His record at Tennessee still stands and with Jalen Hurd leaving the Tennessee program this week, it's safe for a few more years.

"I was so caught up in getting to the NFL that I didn't even know I had a chance to get the record till a reporter came up and told me," Henry said. "When I broke the record, it was a blessing because we had all shared time. I was rooting for Arian to break my record because records are meant to be broken. I thought for sure that Jalen was going to have it. It's a disappointment, but it lets you know it's hard to get that record."

The memories for the guy they call, "The Cheese" are something he holds near and dear to his heart. He was in Knoxville for the Florida and Alabama games this season. It's always good to catch up with former teammates and recall the glory days.

"I look back and I appreciate the grind," Henry said. "Having guys like Jamal and Travis and when you look back at it we really pushed each other. In high school you are the man and everything goes your way. That process helped me out with the transition to the NFL because it prepared me to compete."