Former Vols Await Their Name Called In NFL Draft

Tonight is the NFL Draft. It begins tonight at 8pm at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin…home of the Packers. The Tennessee Titans own the number one pick in the draft after a 3-14 season in 2024. The Titans are expected to take University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first pick. Their hope is that Ward can be the franchise quarterback the team has been missing since Steve McNair was let go 20 years ago.

This will be a light draft class for the Tennessee Vols. Only four Tennessee players are expected to hear their name called over the next three days. The big name to watch is Edge Rusher James Pearce, Jr. Pearce is expected to be drafted late in the first round, but could fall to the early part of the second round. Running Back Dylan Sampson is expected to be a mid-round pick, possibly going as high as the third round. Wide Reciever Dont’e Thornton could be drafted as early as the fourth round, but could go as late as the sixth. DT Elijah Simmons is the last Vol that could hear his name called in the draft, but he may have to wait until the 7th round Saturday.

The first round is Thursday night with rounds 2 & 3 Friday night. Rounds 4-7 are on Saturday afternoon. The last Tennessee Vol to be drafted in the first round was Offensive Tackle Darnell Wright, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the 10th overall pick in 2023.