University of Tennessee Athletics
37 Vols Set to Open 2024 NFL Season
September 04, 2024 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – As the 2024 NFL season begins this weekend, 37 former Vols are ready to make their mark on football's biggest stage.
Among these 37 players, 26 will start the season on active rosters, nine are on practice squads, and two are on injured reserve. A complete list of Vols in the NFL is available HERE.
The season opener kicks off Thursday night with the Ravens facing off against Trey Smith and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The game, airing on NBC at 8:20 p.m. ET, will be a high-stakes start to the season between two teams with Super Bowl aspirations. Smith begins his fourth NFL campaign. Last year, he became the ninth different VFL to win multiple Super Bowl title rings as a player and the first since Peyton Manning.
Nine Vols from the Heupel era will represent nine different NFL teams, including quarterbacks Hendon Hooker (Lions) and Joe Milton III (Patriots). Byron Young, coming off a standout rookie season, aims to build on his success as the Rams open the season on NBC's Sunday Night Football against Hooker and the Lions. Young, who played 17 games with 16 starts in 2023, recorded 61 tackles, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles, helping the Rams return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.
Three additional active players from the Heupel era earned roster spots with outstanding preseason camps, headlined by defensive back Jaylen McCollough (Rams), wide receiver Ramel Keyton (Raiders) and return specialist/defensive back Dee Williams (Seahawks). It's the fifth straight year that Tennessee has put at least one new wide receiver on an active NFL roster, including four wide receivers in three years under Heupel.
Among these 37 players, 26 will start the season on active rosters, nine are on practice squads, and two are on injured reserve. A complete list of Vols in the NFL is available HERE.
The season opener kicks off Thursday night with the Ravens facing off against Trey Smith and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The game, airing on NBC at 8:20 p.m. ET, will be a high-stakes start to the season between two teams with Super Bowl aspirations. Smith begins his fourth NFL campaign. Last year, he became the ninth different VFL to win multiple Super Bowl title rings as a player and the first since Peyton Manning.
Nine Vols from the Heupel era will represent nine different NFL teams, including quarterbacks Hendon Hooker (Lions) and Joe Milton III (Patriots). Byron Young, coming off a standout rookie season, aims to build on his success as the Rams open the season on NBC's Sunday Night Football against Hooker and the Lions. Young, who played 17 games with 16 starts in 2023, recorded 61 tackles, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles, helping the Rams return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.
Three additional active players from the Heupel era earned roster spots with outstanding preseason camps, headlined by defensive back Jaylen McCollough (Rams), wide receiver Ramel Keyton (Raiders) and return specialist/defensive back Dee Williams (Seahawks). It's the fifth straight year that Tennessee has put at least one new wide receiver on an active NFL roster, including four wide receivers in three years under Heupel.
Players Mentioned
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