Tennessee will open its 2024 campaign against Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium on Aug. 31.

In anticipation of the season opener, VolReport is highlighting a former Vols player whose jersey number matches the amount of days until kickoff.

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With 64 days to go, Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds, who was a decorated linebacker for the Vols from 1966-69, is selected.

Reynolds was a highly touted fullback at Western Hills High School in Cincinnati before signing with Tennessee in 1966. He made the switch to linebacker and started the second game of his sophomore season, quickly becoming a key contributor on the Vols' defense over the next three seasons.

Reynolds earned the nickname "Hacksaw" following Tennessee's 38-0 loss to Ole Miss in Jackson, Mississippi in 1969. He allegedly returned to Knoxville and began dismantling an old car with a hacksaw out of frustration.

Losses during the years that Reynolds played for the Vols were rare. Tennessee won the SEC in 1967 and 1969, and Reynolds played alongside Steve Kiner to form one of the most dominant linebacking corps in program history.

Reynolds earned All-SEC and All-America honors as a senior in 1969.

Reynolds was selected in the first round as the No. 22 overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft, landing with the Los Angeles Rams.

He played for more than a decade with the Rams, twice earning Pro Bowl invites in 1975 and 1980. Reynolds signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 1981 and played another four seasons there. He was a member of the 49ers' Super Bowl XVI and XIX teams.

Reynolds finished his pro career with 198 games played, 162 starts and six interceptions. He was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.

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