30 Best College Football Mascots of All-Time

3. Tennessee Volunteers – Smokey

The Tennessee Volunteers have a costumed mascot but the real mascot for the Vols is the bluetick coonhound named Smokey. The dog was picked to be the school’s mascot during the 1953 football game against Mississippi State.

This was back when hounds were introduced at halftime and after “Blue Smokey” was introduced he let out a loud howl and the students responded with a loud cheer. It was at this moment that they knew something special was brewing with the franchise.

There have been 10 different Smokey’s to play the role of Tennessee’s mascot and some have even tried to take out opposing players. In 2012, Smokey IX tried to take a bite out of Kentucky’s kicker, and in 2006, the same hound was accused of biting an Alabama player. How funny is that?! Smokey is a dog that simply never behaves.