It seems Tennessee football is going to be thriving for quite a while, according to national recruiting services that have the Volunteers among the top two programs in the nation in the quality of its latest recruiting class.

That should be no surprise.

Tennessee finished 9-3 this past season, something they would probably consider a less than average year.

After all, the Volunteers stayed in the top 10 the entire season.

Tennessee completed its fifth straight season with at least nine victories and posted 99 wins in the 1990s, the most ever by any Volunteer squad.

Statistically, the 1999 Vols were similar to last year’s squad which won the SEC and national championship.

The Tee Martin-led attack finished third in the league in total yards, first in rushing and scoring.

On defense, the Vols ranked third in the SEC&160;in total defense, second in scoring and second in sacks.

Tennessee made its third consecutive appearance in an Alliance Bowl and/or Bowl Championship Series in the 2000 Fiesta Bowl, where they lost to Nebraska 31-21.

The Vols’ first appearance in the Fiesta Bowl came in 1992 against Penn State, a game the Nittany Lions won 42-17.

One reason for Tennessee’s ability to recruit good players besides the program’s success is probably the support Vol fans give the team.

With seven homes game in 1999, the Vols established a total attendance mark of 747,870, bettering the mark of 667,280 set in seven games in 1993.

The Vols had four crowds top 107,000 this season, including the second-largest of 107,619 for the Notre Dame game.

The Vols have averaged more than 106,000 in attendance the last three years and at least 105,000 since expansion in 1996.

Tennessee finished the 1999 campaign with 699 all-time victories which ranks eighth all-time.

With one more victory, the Vols will become one of eight NCAA Division I schools to record 700 all-time wins.

The 2000 Tennessee football schedule is an interesting one.

The Volunteers host Southern Mississippi Sept. 2 in the opener for both teams.

The Vols then host Florida, followed by Louisiana-Monroe.

Not that there is any good time to play Tennessee, but you have to figure USM and ULM have probably got the best dates – surrounding Florida.

Tennessee then goes to LSU and Georgia before hosting Alabama. That game could certainly be a preview of the Southeastern Conference championship.

The Volunteers play at South Carolina and Memphis before hosting Arkansas and Kentucky. Then comes the final regular season game at Vanderbilt.

The scary part for opponents may be the fact that 16 juniors, 16 sophomores and 17 freshmen all earned letters last year, along with 19 seniors.

Tennessee reports for spring practice on March 14.

The Orange and White game will be played April 15. It may be the only action some former high school All-Americans see this year.

That may be more competitive than a couple of regular season games.

Summer practices begin Aug. 11. You can probably bet on Tennessee’s season ending in the year 2001.

Then it will be time to reload again.

Martin is sports editor of The Democrat. He can be reached by calling 446-5172 ext. 232 or at joey.martin@natchezdemocrat.com.