On Saturday afternoon, the Tennessee football family was struck by tragedy when news broke that former Vol running back Reggie Cobb had passed away at the age of 50.
Cobb, a Knoxville native, was a local star at Central High School for four seasons. He played at Tennessee from 1987 to 1989 and appears in the top 10 of several of the program’s all-time rushing records. As a freshman, Cobb ran for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns. After that, Cobb wasn’t quite able to stay on the field for an entire season, but he was still incredibly productive. Cobb would finish his time as a Volunteer with 2,360 rushing yards, 360 receiving yards, and 29 total touchdowns. His 225 yards in a single game against Auburn in 1989 stand as the ninth most for any player in a Volunteer jersey.
Cobb was drafted in the second round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 30th overall pick. Cobb had a successful tenure in Tampa, especially in 1992. That season saw Cobb rush for 1,171 yards and nine touchdowns. After the 1993 season, Cobb’s contract was up with the Buccaneers, and he signed with the Green Bay Packers. The Tennessee standout spent just one season in Green Bay before being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1995 Expansion Draft.
Cobb would spend time with Jacksonville and the New York Jets before ending his NFL career.
Cobb’s success wasn’t limited to the area between the white lines. After his playing days came to an end, Cobb worked as an NFL scout for several teams including the Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers. Cobb was named the NFC Scout of the Year in 2011 while with the 49ers. He was still working as a sout in San Francisco at the time of his death.
The news of Cobb’s passing had former Vols, football media, and fans mourning his passing on social media. Another former Tennessee running back, Aaron Hayden, tweeted out a message honoring his mentor.
“RIP to my BIG Brother Reggie Cobb!” Hayden tweeted. “I appreciate all the love and guidance you showed me from the time I got to UT! Gonna miss you #34#VFLGreatness”
Cobb’s achievements earned him a spot in the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame, to which he was inducted in July of 2011.
Cobb, a Knoxville native, was a local star at Central High School for four seasons. He played at Tennessee from 1987 to 1989 and appears in the top 10 of several of the program’s all-time rushing records. As a freshman, Cobb ran for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns. After that, Cobb wasn’t quite able to stay on the field for an entire season, but he was still incredibly productive. Cobb would finish his time as a Volunteer with 2,360 rushing yards, 360 receiving yards, and 29 total touchdowns. His 225 yards in a single game against Auburn in 1989 stand as the ninth most for any player in a Volunteer jersey.
Cobb was drafted in the second round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 30th overall pick. Cobb had a successful tenure in Tampa, especially in 1992. That season saw Cobb rush for 1,171 yards and nine touchdowns. After the 1993 season, Cobb’s contract was up with the Buccaneers, and he signed with the Green Bay Packers. The Tennessee standout spent just one season in Green Bay before being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1995 Expansion Draft.
Cobb would spend time with Jacksonville and the New York Jets before ending his NFL career.
Cobb’s success wasn’t limited to the area between the white lines. After his playing days came to an end, Cobb worked as an NFL scout for several teams including the Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers. Cobb was named the NFC Scout of the Year in 2011 while with the 49ers. He was still working as a sout in San Francisco at the time of his death.
The news of Cobb’s passing had former Vols, football media, and fans mourning his passing on social media. Another former Tennessee running back, Aaron Hayden, tweeted out a message honoring his mentor.
“RIP to my BIG Brother Reggie Cobb!” Hayden tweeted. “I appreciate all the love and guidance you showed me from the time I got to UT! Gonna miss you #34#VFLGreatness”
Cobb’s achievements earned him a spot in the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame, to which he was inducted in July of 2011.
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