Memory VolT: Leonard Little changed how the Vols played defense
The numbers and play on the field came so easy. It truly was a man among boys in the early 1990's in western North Carolina. Asheville High had never seen a player like Leonard Little and colleges wanted to see more of the talented linebacker.
"One of the biggest things for me were the teams that I always saw on TV," Little said. "There were three schools that I always saw on TV and that was Tennessee, Clemson and Virginia."
Little would end up signing with the Volunteers and he headed across the Smokey Mountains to Rocky Top. After he arrived, he was declared ineligible and had to attend Junior College for the next year and a half. He would arrive back in Knoxville for the spring semester of 1995 where the hype surrounding him was even greater.
"I never paid attention to that," Little said. "I just went out and played. I had been anticipating going back the whole time and starting school that spring semester was one of the best feelings I ever had. The hype that came along with it was big because it seemed like every fan was anticipating me getting back and how I'd be when I got back. Just how I could impact our team."
The one time linebacker would make the switch to defensive end shortly after getting back to campus. It wasn't easy at first, but the chance to play right away and help the team far outweighed his own desire.
"I just wanted to play," Little said. "It's always a dream to play on the college level. They told me they wanted to get the best 11 on the field and it would be the quickest way for me to play. I just wanted to play. They could have put me at safety or cornerback. I just wanted to get put in a position where I could play faster. I didn't like the move, but I really wanted to play football and that's why I did it."
That spring saw the transformation of Little as he not only switched positions, but changed his body. It was his first game-like action at Neyland Stadium that gave him the confidence.
"My first spring game is when I realized I could play on this level," Little said. "Coach Stuckey really put me through a strenuous workout and he had me drinking chocolate milk and all kinds of stuff to put weight on. I think I went from 220 to 240 that spring. I started making plays in the spring game. They would slant me inside at defensive end. Had me doing different types of stuff and I started making plays. It gave me lots of confidence."
Little vividly recalled his first game at Neyland Stadium. Coming out of the tunnel against East Carolina in 1995 and seeing the stands full left him feeling energized and starstruck all at the same time. Then there were the bone crushing hits against Alabama in 1995 and 1997. Thunderous takedowns that Brian Burgdorf and Freddie Kitchens likely still feel to this day. There were All-SEC and All-American honors, but it was how the 1997 season ended in Atlanta that meant the most.
"For me personally that was the first championship I won in my life," Little said. "If you could have seen me at the end of that game, I just jumped up and down and then laid on the ground. I was so happy because I hadn't won anything before. It meant so much to me and if Tennessee can get back there this year then I know it would mean so much to the fans."
Little would go on to the NFL where he would add another championship in playing a part of the St. Louis Rams Super Bowl team in 1999. He would earn Pro Bowl honors during his NFL career, but it's his time in Knoxville that helped mold him.
"I had some great times at Tennessee and met some great people," Little said. "I'm so proud that I wore that T on the side of my helmet. It means so much to so many and people don't realize that until they leave and look back on it. When you are around the fans more, it gives you the appreciation. I owe the people at Tennessee a lot. They changed my life and made me the person I am today."
Little lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and he hopes to attend the Missouri game next weekend.