SIX Vols Invited to NFL Combine!

[TAF]

Largest # in a while...as far as I can recall...

Tennessee Volunteers NFL Combine Invites:​

• Dylan Sampson, RB
• Bru McCoy, WR
• Dont'e Thornton. Jr., WR
• Omarr Norman-Lott, DL
• James Pearce Jr., DL
• Elijah Simmons, DL

 

[IndianaVol]

Not only is that number impressive, but I could see at least 3 of those guys getting drafted, maybe 4, and all 6 making an NFL roster.
We're starting to catch up...

 

[superdave1984]

Pearce and Norman-Lott maybe both go in the first round. For sure by round 2. Sampson may be the steal of the draft.

 

[whm324]

I'm really surprised Omari Thomas didn't get one. I'm glad Simmons did, but still surprised. He has all of the measurables, doesn't he?

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

While certainly good considering what Pruitt left in sanctions, etc, Texas and GA have 14 invited.

We've got a lot of catching up to do if we're going to maintain the success of the last few years.

Heupel and Co have definitely done great work and will hopefully keep it up but the talent gap is still there if we're going to push it to the next level.

 

[pimo1]

I'm really surprised Omari Thomas didn't get one. I'm glad Simmons did, but still surprised. He has all of the measurables, doesn't he?

Not to mention Mays and Sprags and Castles

That being said its often better to sign as an UDFA than go in the 6th or 7th. UDFA's have some control over where they go where a late round pick might go into a logjam at their position. Imagine being stuck in Cleveland knowing they drafted another guy at your position and have a logjam on the roster at your position.

edit: typed cade instead of cooper and forgot castles was already gone.

 

[Volheaven50]

OSU had 15 declared while both Georgia and Texas had 14 each followed by Oregon with 13.

I read that OSU had a decent shot at breaking Georgia's record of 15 - a couple of years ago - but LB Sonny Styles and that CB - Igno-something both decided to return for 2025

That OSU team was super-talented and there was no shame for us losing to them in the Playoffs

 

[RDU VOL#14]

OSU had 15 declared while both Georgia and Texas had 14 each followed by Oregon with 13.

I read that OSU had a decent shot at breaking Georgia's record of 15 - a couple of years ago - but LB Sonny Styles and that CB - Igno-something both decided to return for 2025

That OSU team was super-talented and there was no shame for us losing to them in the Playoffs

NIL made this possible. Not saying that them getting Howard, Judkins and Downs wasn’t a big deal, but their ability to retain a lot of experienced guys like Sawyer is what got them the title. Same thing w/ Michigan the season before.

 

[Boston Vol]

Not to mention Cade and Sprags and Castles.

That being said it’s often better to sign as an UDFA than go in the 6th or 7th. UDFA's have some control over where they go where a late round pick might go into a logjam at their position. Imagine being stuck in Cleveland knowing they drafted another guy at your position and have a logjam on the roster at your position.

Cooper isn’t really a prospect. He’ll probably get a shot as an UDFA, but he won’t be drafted. Castles graduated after the 2023 season. He’s currently with the Chargers.

 

[pimo1]

Cade isn’t really a prospect. He’ll probably get a shot as an UDFA, but he won’t be drafted. Castles graduated after the 2023 season. He’s currently with the Chargers.

my bad on Castles.... I disagree on Cooper (sorry typed cade) being a prospect though. Center is a very specialised position. On average about 7 get drafted a year. He is ranked 5th on most boards.

 

[dtnvol]

I am really surprised that Big "O" Thomas wasn't invited

 

[Blackburn]

I think Dont'e Thornton. Jr is going to put up some great combine numbers.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Yah, I'm surprised as well that Cooper didn't get an invitation.

Six Vols invited shows we still have a bit to go before we're playing with the same talent as Ohio State and Georgia...they're each sending 14 or 15 to the combine.

Go Vols!

 

[Carp]

Cooper Mays was a finalist for the Remington Trophy, but he doesn't get an invite?

Makes total sense.

 

[MemphisVol77]

Congrats to Elijah Simmons!!!

From a 3-star diamond in the rough to an NFL combine invite.

He just kept working and getting a little better each day.

 

[BanditVol]

Every single one of them belongs too. Man am I going to miss those guys.