This buck is a testament to what can happen with less antler high grading, buck maturity, and TN's best in state soils (for growing antlers). The Nashville basin (mainly Davidson-Williamson Counties) regularly produces TN's better top-end bucks.
Congrats to the hunter. Awesome buck. It sounds like he knew this buck was around. It would be interesting to know his history with it and how he hunter it; field edge, acorns, travel route, etc.