49 days until it is football time in Tennessee

will kick off its 2024 football season in 49 days.

The Vols will open its upcoming campaign on Aug. 31 against Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 12:45 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the contest.

2024 will be the fourth season for Tennessee under head coach Josh Heupel. In his first three seasons, Heupel is 27-12 and guided the Vols to three bowl games.

The Vols finished 9-4 (4-4 SEC) last season.

With 49 days remaining until the start of the 2024 football season, Vols Wire looks back at Tennessee student-athletes who wore No. 49.

The number is retired by the Tennessee football program in honor of Rudy Klarer.

Klarer, who played in Knoxville in 1941 and 1942, was the first player to sport the number for the Vols.

Klarer, Bill Nowling, Willis Tucker and Clyde Fuson have all had their numbers taken out of circulation because all four were killed in action in World War II.

Nowling (No. 32), Klarer (No. 49), Tucker (No. 61) and Fuson (No. 62) all had their numbers retired in a ceremony prior to Tennessee’s game against Air Force in 2006.

The number was last worn in 1987 by Kelly Ziegler.

All time players to wear No. 49 at Tennessee

Rudy Klarer (1941-42)

Gene Huff (1944)

Carroll Young (1956)

Jim Lowe (1958)

Glenn Glass (1959-61)

Larry Watson (1962)

Art Galiffa (1963)

Bob Mauriello (1968)

Johnny Thompson (1970, 1972)

John Tharpe (1973-74)

Danny Emery (1975)

Rick Berkhan (1976-77)

Steve Castleman (1978)

Dale Schneitman (1979)

Jake Tillman (1981)

Kelly Ziegler (1984-87)

*Source: 2023 Tennessee Football Media Guide