Editor’s note: Welcome to Tennessee Week. Our special series — “Undefeated. Unexpected. Unforgettable.” — celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Vols’ 1998 national championship season.

Tee Martin had plenty of reasons to choose Tennessee after a fantastic career at Williamson High School in Mobile, Ala. However, there was one big reason not to sign with the Vols.

Let’s start with the positives. By choosing UT over Notre Dame and Auburn, Martin would be playing for a bona fide winning program with some of the best tradition in the nation. He also would get to learn from offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe, who was quickly being considered as one of the best offensive minds in the country. Those are all pretty positive reasons to become a Vol.

However, there was one really big reason not to choose Tennessee. That reason was Peyton Manning.

Photo courtesy of University of Tennessee Athletics.

Choosing UT meant Martin would be sitting behind Manning for at least one season and possibly two if Manning didn’t enter the NFL Draft following his junior season in 1996. Martin was not afraid — even after Manning shocked the college football world with his decision to return for his senior season in 1997.

“That was part of the whole respect that he earned,” former UT coach Phillip Fulmer said of Martin. “He could have easily made some noise. I think everyone was somewhat surprised that Peyton stayed in school and passed on being the first pick (in the NFL Draft). He wanted to enjoy another year, which we were fortunate and it was great that he did.

“Tee had to bite the bullet and he did. He was not a guy that complained at all. He knew he would get his opportunities. Instead of three years, he had two really great years. It was hard for him I’m sure.”

Not too hard. Sure, like any competitor, Martin would have liked to play more. But instead of complaining in 1997, he continued with the approach that led him to Knoxville, to face off against an elite signal caller.

“The reason why I chose to come (to UT) was to compete with who at the time I felt was the best college quarterback,” Martin said of Manning. “I could have gone other places and started as a true freshman and who knows that would have been like. When I found out how good (Manning) was, I said, ‘Man, how could you prove yourself to be one of the better ones if you don’t compete against the best one everyday?’

“I didn’t know if I would sit for one year or two years. It ended up being two years, but I was OK with that. It was just a competitive challenge for me to show and prove to the coaching staff and my teammates that I belong.”

When Manning finally left following the 1997 season, it was Martin’s turn to lead UT’s offense. While some other players might have tried to live up Manning’s legacy or even surpass it, Martin didn’t view the transition that way.

“It wasn’t a personal vendetta,” Martin said. “I wanted to go against the best defense in the SEC (in practice at UT) and actually perform well against them. I wanted to show (receiver) Peerless Price, the receiving corps, (running back) Jamal Lewis and the offensive line that I could make the checks at the line of scrimmage, I could get us in the right play, I can take care of the football and get the ball in the end zone. Those are things that I focused on. It never really motivated me to fill the shoes of Peyton.”

Martin never had to fight for his teammates’ respect. It was always there. However, his coaches’ confidence was another matter. Martin admitted that he grew frustrated at times when his coaches scaled back the offense in 1998. The move made sense. Martin was a first-year starter, the Vols were a power-running football team in 1998 and could lean on a stout defense and consistent special teams play. Yet Martin believed he could do more.

"Filling the shoes of Peyton before me, you can’t replace or try to emulate that. You have to go in and be yourself. ... It was about being a consistent performer."
Tee Martin

The Vols knew early they had to rely on running the football, some occasional play-action passes and Martin’s ability to extend plays with his running ability, which was a trait that Manning never had. Cutcliffe will always be known for his work with the Mannings: Peyton and Eli. Both are likely NFL Hall of Fame quarterbacks with multiple Super Bowl victories. However, the way Cutcliffe handled the transition to Martin was masterful.

“We had a relationship where he allowed me to be myself,” Martin said of Cutcliffe. “Filling the shoes of Peyton before me, you can’t replace or try to emulate that. You have to go in and be yourself. Those are the conversations that we had going into the season. It was about being a consistent performer.”

Fate forced UT’s hand a bit after running back Jamal Lewis was knocked out for the season with a knee injury in the Auburn game. The Vols, then 4-0, couldn’t continue to be so simplistic in the passing game without Lewis on the field.

The Vols faced No. 7 Georgia the following week, in Athens. Martin completed 16-of-22 for 156 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also ran for 107 yards. Martin and UT’s passing offense was a growing, more efficient threat as the season rolled on.

“After the Georgia game, we became a more complete passing team,” Fulmer said.

That became obvious when the Vols faced South Carolina on Halloween. Martin’s accuracy was at an all-time high when he set an NCAA record with 24 consecutive completions. Martin finished the Alabama game with a completion the week before he completed 23 consecutive passes against the Gamecocks. The Vols won easily 49-14.

As Martin’s efficiency grew, his explosiveness never waned. He was always a threat to run the football and his connection to Price resulted in several downfield touchdowns.

“Big plays to receivers along with that run game made a huge difference,” Cutcliffe said.

Those deep passes from Martin seemed to crop up just when the Vols needed them. There was the 29-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter against the Gators. Trailing Mississippi State 14-10 in the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship Game, Martin threw two touchdown passes in 32 seconds in the fourth quarter to take the lead. The first was a 41-yard strike to Price. The second was a 26-yard pass to Cedrick Wilson after a State fumble. And no Tennessee fan can forget the 76-yard touchdown pass to Price that put the Vols up 20-9 in the Fiesta Bowl against Florida State. That play practically sealed a national title for the Vols.

Photo courtesy of University of Tennessee Athletics.

Martin was never in the hunt for Heisman Trophy like Manning, nor was Martin ever considered to be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft like Manning. That was one of the keys to the 1998 season: Martin never tried to be like Manning.

In the process, Martin took the Vols to heights Manning couldn’t.

NEXT: Jeff Hall (twice) kick-started Tennessee’s march to the national title.

Tee Martin cover photo courtesy of University of Tennessee Athletics.