The note about the Vols winning the national title with players from other states might be the most important line in that article. What was going on that enabled this?
Alabama on probation, 1995-97
Auburn on probation, 1993-95
Georgia imploding under Donnan
Kentucky coached by Bill Curry until 1996
Ole Miss on probation, 1994-98
Arkansas not yet built, Ford fired 1997
Their title was strictly due to the mess that was the SEC back then. They could grab players from the twin states with the probation card - that's also why MSU was so good from 1997-2000 (along with their money payment system through a church in Starkville - yes, that's true).
I don't know if Tennessee can ever be a power again. The game of recruiting has changed so much that it can only be harder.
As far as Auburn, they will always have an inferiority complex and be looking up at Alabama - this leads to insanity and ridiculous decisions.