University of Tennessee Athletics
Six VFLs Prepared For 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Watch On NFL Network
February 25, 2025 | Football
INDIANAPOLIS – Six Tennessee VFLs — wide receiver Bru McCoy, defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott, edge rusher James Pearce Jr., running back Dylan Sampson, defensive tackle Elijah Simmons and wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. — will represent the program at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine this week at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The six Vols are a part of the 329 total players invited to this year's event. On-field workouts commence Thursday and continue through Sunday by position group. NFL Network coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET Thursday and Friday and starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Three members of Tennessee's dominant defensive line will be on hand. That unit served as the catalyst for a defense that allowed only 16.1 points per game, which ranked seventh nationally and was the best by a Vol defense since 1998.
Pearce Jr. is among the top defensive prospects in the entire draft after declaring following his junior campaign. According to Pro Football Focus, he generated 113 quarterback pressures in three seasons. His 19.5 career sacks ranked tied for 10th in Vol annals.
Norman-Lott played two seasons at UT after transferring from Arizona State. He tallied 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in 23 games with the Vols. Simmons has been considered one of the strongest players and will bench press on Friday. In six seasons on Rocky Top, he totaled 59 tackles and seven tackles for loss.
UT skill players will take the stage on Saturday with Sampson, McCoy and Thornton Jr. Sampson, the 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, is the second straight Vol running back to attend. Jaylen Wright of the Miami Dolphins stole the show last year with his speed. Sampson's 2024 season was the finest on record by a Vol running back, rushing for a school-record 1,491 yards on 258 carries with a school-record 22 touchdowns.
McCoy and Thornton Jr. continue the trend of Vol wideouts impacting the NFL Combine. McCoy was a semifinalist for the Comeback Player of the Year after a team-high 39 catches for 472 yards and two scores. Thornton Jr. established himself with his explosiveness, leading the nation in yards per catch at 25.4 in 2024. He led the Vols in receiving yards (661), touchdown receptions (6) and 100-yard games (3) last season.
The six VFLs will have the opportunity to showcase their skills again in front of NFL team personnel at Tennessee Pro Day on March 11. The NFL Draft is April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
2025 NFL Scouting Combine Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 26 - Norman-Lott, Pearce Jr., Simmons media/team interviews
Thursday, Feb. 27 – Norman-Lott, Pearce Jr., Simmons measurements/on-field workout
Friday, Feb. 28 – McCoy, Sampson, Thornton Jr. media/team interviews
Saturday, March 1 – McCoy, Sampson, Thornton Jr. measurements/on-field workout
The six Vols are a part of the 329 total players invited to this year's event. On-field workouts commence Thursday and continue through Sunday by position group. NFL Network coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET Thursday and Friday and starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Three members of Tennessee's dominant defensive line will be on hand. That unit served as the catalyst for a defense that allowed only 16.1 points per game, which ranked seventh nationally and was the best by a Vol defense since 1998.
Pearce Jr. is among the top defensive prospects in the entire draft after declaring following his junior campaign. According to Pro Football Focus, he generated 113 quarterback pressures in three seasons. His 19.5 career sacks ranked tied for 10th in Vol annals.
Norman-Lott played two seasons at UT after transferring from Arizona State. He tallied 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in 23 games with the Vols. Simmons has been considered one of the strongest players and will bench press on Friday. In six seasons on Rocky Top, he totaled 59 tackles and seven tackles for loss.
UT skill players will take the stage on Saturday with Sampson, McCoy and Thornton Jr. Sampson, the 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, is the second straight Vol running back to attend. Jaylen Wright of the Miami Dolphins stole the show last year with his speed. Sampson's 2024 season was the finest on record by a Vol running back, rushing for a school-record 1,491 yards on 258 carries with a school-record 22 touchdowns.
McCoy and Thornton Jr. continue the trend of Vol wideouts impacting the NFL Combine. McCoy was a semifinalist for the Comeback Player of the Year after a team-high 39 catches for 472 yards and two scores. Thornton Jr. established himself with his explosiveness, leading the nation in yards per catch at 25.4 in 2024. He led the Vols in receiving yards (661), touchdown receptions (6) and 100-yard games (3) last season.
The six VFLs will have the opportunity to showcase their skills again in front of NFL team personnel at Tennessee Pro Day on March 11. The NFL Draft is April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
2025 NFL Scouting Combine Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 26 - Norman-Lott, Pearce Jr., Simmons media/team interviews
Thursday, Feb. 27 – Norman-Lott, Pearce Jr., Simmons measurements/on-field workout
Friday, Feb. 28 – McCoy, Sampson, Thornton Jr. media/team interviews
Saturday, March 1 – McCoy, Sampson, Thornton Jr. measurements/on-field workout
Players Mentioned
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