University of Tennessee Athletics
Five Vols Ready For Senior Bowl Saturday In Mobile
January 30, 2026 | Football
MOBILE, Ala. – Five members of the 2025 Tennessee football team will showcase their skills and culminate a week in front of NFL scouts at the Panini Senior Bowl at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
The all-star contest, played annually since 1950, will be televised by NFL Network with VFL Charles Davis serving as a booth analyst. The five representatives are the most for Tennessee in the game since producing five in 2002. The school record for players in the contest was seven in 2000 (view all-time rosters).
Defensive linemen Bryson Eason and Tyre West, as well as defensive backs Colton Hood and Jalen McMurray will be on the field representing the Vols' defense. Running back star Thomas, a Friday addition, will represent the UT offense. Â
West shined in last week's American Bowl in Florida, tallying three tackles and batting down a pass. He was so impressive that he was a late add to the Senior Bowl, joining the National Team on Thursday in time for practice. In four seasons with the Vols, the Tifton, Georgia, native played in 48 games and recorded 65 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles. He had the best season of his career last fall, collecting 23 tackles, a team-leading 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Hood has drawn rave reviews from scouts in practice this week with his coverage skills. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who will call the game, ranked Hood as one of three Vols in his top 50 2026 NFL Draft prospects. Hood came in at No. 16, while teammate cornerback Jermod McCoy was No. 14 and wide receiver Chris Brazzell II was No. 44.
Hood joined the Vols last June from Colorado and was spectacular in his lone season in Knoxville. The All-SEC selection and Thorpe Award semifinalist started all 12 regular season games, recording 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two defensive touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus, his 83.3 coverage grade ranked second among SEC cornerbacks.
Eason was a staple in Tennessee's defensive interior since 2020. He played six seasons, recording 105 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups and two fumble recoveries in 61 games. Eason started every game for the Vols in his last two seasons (26). Â
McMurray's leadership was on full display in his two seasons with the Vols after spending three years at Temple. McMurray manned the STAR position in his final year, playing in all 13 games with 56 tackles, two sacks and five pass breakups. The Upper Marlboro, Maryland, native turned in a valiant effort in his final game, breaking up two passes and a potential touchdown in the Music City Bowl.
Thomas played in last week's American Bowl and adds the Senior Bowl to his resume. He ranked second on the team this season with 596 yards on 104 carries and seven touchdowns.
Tennessee has now produced 14 Senior Bowl representatives in the Josh Heupel era, its most over a five-year stretch as a program since 14 were chosen from 2002-06.
Two additional Vols, tight end Miles Kitselman and defensive lineman Dominic Bailey, played in all-star games earlier this month.
Tennessee's 2026 NFL Draft prospects will turn their attention to the NFL Combine, which is slated for Feb. 23 through March 2 in Indianapolis. Â
2026 Tennessee All-Star Game Representatives (7)
Dominic Bailey, DL – Hula Bowl
Bryson Eason, DL – Senior Bowl
Colton Hood, CB – Senior Bowl
Miles Kitselman, TE – American Bowl, East-West Shrine Game
Jalen McMurray, DB – Senior Bowl
Star Thomas, RB – American Bowl, Senior Bowl
Tyre West, DL – American Bowl, Senior Bowl
The all-star contest, played annually since 1950, will be televised by NFL Network with VFL Charles Davis serving as a booth analyst. The five representatives are the most for Tennessee in the game since producing five in 2002. The school record for players in the contest was seven in 2000 (view all-time rosters).
Defensive linemen Bryson Eason and Tyre West, as well as defensive backs Colton Hood and Jalen McMurray will be on the field representing the Vols' defense. Running back star Thomas, a Friday addition, will represent the UT offense. Â
West shined in last week's American Bowl in Florida, tallying three tackles and batting down a pass. He was so impressive that he was a late add to the Senior Bowl, joining the National Team on Thursday in time for practice. In four seasons with the Vols, the Tifton, Georgia, native played in 48 games and recorded 65 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles. He had the best season of his career last fall, collecting 23 tackles, a team-leading 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Hood has drawn rave reviews from scouts in practice this week with his coverage skills. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who will call the game, ranked Hood as one of three Vols in his top 50 2026 NFL Draft prospects. Hood came in at No. 16, while teammate cornerback Jermod McCoy was No. 14 and wide receiver Chris Brazzell II was No. 44.
Hood joined the Vols last June from Colorado and was spectacular in his lone season in Knoxville. The All-SEC selection and Thorpe Award semifinalist started all 12 regular season games, recording 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two defensive touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus, his 83.3 coverage grade ranked second among SEC cornerbacks.
Eason was a staple in Tennessee's defensive interior since 2020. He played six seasons, recording 105 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups and two fumble recoveries in 61 games. Eason started every game for the Vols in his last two seasons (26). Â
McMurray's leadership was on full display in his two seasons with the Vols after spending three years at Temple. McMurray manned the STAR position in his final year, playing in all 13 games with 56 tackles, two sacks and five pass breakups. The Upper Marlboro, Maryland, native turned in a valiant effort in his final game, breaking up two passes and a potential touchdown in the Music City Bowl.
Thomas played in last week's American Bowl and adds the Senior Bowl to his resume. He ranked second on the team this season with 596 yards on 104 carries and seven touchdowns.
Tennessee has now produced 14 Senior Bowl representatives in the Josh Heupel era, its most over a five-year stretch as a program since 14 were chosen from 2002-06.
Two additional Vols, tight end Miles Kitselman and defensive lineman Dominic Bailey, played in all-star games earlier this month.
Tennessee's 2026 NFL Draft prospects will turn their attention to the NFL Combine, which is slated for Feb. 23 through March 2 in Indianapolis. Â
2026 Tennessee All-Star Game Representatives (7)
Dominic Bailey, DL – Hula Bowl
Bryson Eason, DL – Senior Bowl
Colton Hood, CB – Senior Bowl
Miles Kitselman, TE – American Bowl, East-West Shrine Game
Jalen McMurray, DB – Senior Bowl
Star Thomas, RB – American Bowl, Senior Bowl
Tyre West, DL – American Bowl, Senior Bowl
Players Mentioned
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