University of Tennessee Athletics
NFL Draft Ready To Roll in Vegas, VFLs Set For Next Chapter
April 28, 2022 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football VFLs take the next step in their professional careers as the three-day NFL Draft gets underway from Las Vegas on Thursday night.
NFL Network, ESPN and ABC will have coverage all weekend. Round one is set for 8 p.m. ET Thursday, while rounds two and three get underway at 7 p.m. ET Friday. Rounds four through seven take place on Saturday with coverage beginning at noon ET.
Since the season ended, multiple Vols have improved their stock through workouts, all-star games, the NFL Combine and Tennessee's Pro Day.
Velus Jones Jr. is seeking to become the third Vol wide receiver selected in as many drafts. The versatile Jones Jr., the 2021 SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year, is a coveted playmaker in the return game after finishing his career as the NCAA's active leader in kickoff return yards at 2,973 and averaging 24.4 yards per return. Jones Jr. clocked a blazing 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
Perhaps no Vol improved his stock more than Matthew Butler over the past year. Butler has been tabbed as one of the top 10 interior linemen in this draft. In 2021, he led all defensive linemen on the squad in tackles (47) and was fourth on the team in tackles for loss (8.5) and third in sacks (5).
Another defender expected to come off the board either Friday or early Saturday is defensive back Alontae Taylor. Taylor excelled at his Pro Day and proved to be one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC last fall, logging 60 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions.
Knoxville native Cade Mays will make it back-to-back drafts with a UT offensive lineman selected. Trey Smith had his named called last year, and Mays will add to the list.
Other Vols who could see their names called include safety Theo Jackson, wide receiver JaVonta Payton and defensive lineman Ja'Quain Blakely.
Heading into the 2022 NFL Draft, Tennessee has produced 374 all-time draft picks, which dates back to 1936. That mark includes the AFL Draft, which merged in 1967.
NFL Network, ESPN and ABC will have coverage all weekend. Round one is set for 8 p.m. ET Thursday, while rounds two and three get underway at 7 p.m. ET Friday. Rounds four through seven take place on Saturday with coverage beginning at noon ET.
Since the season ended, multiple Vols have improved their stock through workouts, all-star games, the NFL Combine and Tennessee's Pro Day.
Velus Jones Jr. is seeking to become the third Vol wide receiver selected in as many drafts. The versatile Jones Jr., the 2021 SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year, is a coveted playmaker in the return game after finishing his career as the NCAA's active leader in kickoff return yards at 2,973 and averaging 24.4 yards per return. Jones Jr. clocked a blazing 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
Perhaps no Vol improved his stock more than Matthew Butler over the past year. Butler has been tabbed as one of the top 10 interior linemen in this draft. In 2021, he led all defensive linemen on the squad in tackles (47) and was fourth on the team in tackles for loss (8.5) and third in sacks (5).
Another defender expected to come off the board either Friday or early Saturday is defensive back Alontae Taylor. Taylor excelled at his Pro Day and proved to be one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC last fall, logging 60 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions.
Knoxville native Cade Mays will make it back-to-back drafts with a UT offensive lineman selected. Trey Smith had his named called last year, and Mays will add to the list.
Other Vols who could see their names called include safety Theo Jackson, wide receiver JaVonta Payton and defensive lineman Ja'Quain Blakely.
Heading into the 2022 NFL Draft, Tennessee has produced 374 all-time draft picks, which dates back to 1936. That mark includes the AFL Draft, which merged in 1967.
Next stop ➡️ @NFL
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) April 28, 2022
Tune-in to 2022 #NFLDraft – April 28-30 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC#GBO #VFL pic.twitter.com/24Ouvbh1jT
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