ForumsINDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Tennessee defensive lineman Malik Jackson and tailback Tauren Poole have been invited to the NFL Combine set for Feb. 22-28 in Indianapolis.
Jackson earned the invite after playing in the Senior Bowl in late January. He was named to the All-SEC First Team by the media in 2011 and in the All-SEC Second Team by the coaches.
Jackson, also a 2010 AP All-SEC second team honoree, led the Vols in tackles for loss (11), sacks (2.5) and quarterback hurries (10). His 56 tackles were a career-high, ranked tied for third on the team and positioned him as one of just two defensive linemen to rank in the SEC’s top 50 in tackles per game with an average of 4.6 each outing, placing 50th.
The Northridge, Calif., native was one of seven Vols with multiple pass breakups (2), while also forcing a fumble. His 11 TFLs rank 12th in the SEC.
Poole heads to the Combine after playing in the East-West Shrine game where he earned the Pat Tillman Award.
Poole ran for 1,883 yards in his career at Tennessee, playing in 49 games. He scored 16 touchdowns in his career including five as a senior in 2011. He gained 693 yards this past season while catching 21 balls for 164 yards. He gained 100 rushing yards on three occasions this past season with a season-best 107 vs. Vanderbilt (11/19) in addition to 101 vs. Buffalo (10/1) and 100 vs. Cincinnati.
Poole was a 2011 preseason member of the Doak Walker and Maxwell Watch Lists in addition to being a candidate for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award.
As a junior, Poole named AP All-SEC Honorable Mention accolades starting all 13 games and gaining 1,034 yards on 204 carries. He scored 11 touchdowns and gained 100 yards on six occasions to tie for the lead in the SEC. His 1,000-yard season was the 16th in UT history and his total of 1,034 ranks 14th on the single-season list. Poole gained a career-high 162 rushing yards against Oregon (9/11/10).
Jackson will wear uniform “DL26” for the Combine while Poole will be in “RB23.”
Last season Vols’ receiver Denarius Moore and tight end Luke Stocker were invited to the Combine and both were selected in the NFL Draft.
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