NFL VFLs Byron Young, Dylan Sampson Return To Rocky Top To Graduate
Bill Martin
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – VFLs Byron Young and Dylan Sampson put the finishing touches on their illustrious Tennessee football careers with their finest achievement. The two NFL standouts can now proudly call themselves University of Tennessee graduates.
Young and Sampson returned to Knoxville to participate in a commencement ceremony with the College of Communication and Information on Friday night at Food City Center.
While balancing their demanding NFL careers, the two took advantage of the Renewing Academic Commitment (RAC) program through Tennessee Tailored, which allows former student-athletes who did not graduate during their athletics eligibility to return to Tennessee and complete their degrees via online classes.
"BY and Samp epitomize what it means to be VFLs, and their commitment to finishing their degrees speaks of volumes of who they have always been inside our program," said head coach Josh Heupel. "They have been tremendous ambassadors for Tennessee, and I can't wait to see what they do on the field in the NFL next season. I am proud of all our football graduates this weekend, and I know this is special time for them and their families."
Young's well-chronicled climb to success from Dollar General employee to junior college football eventually brought him to Rocky Top in 2021. In two seasons with the Vols, he became a dominant edge presence and a key leader on the 2022 squad that climbed to a No. 1 national ranking. He closed his first-team All-SEC career by playing in the Orange Bowl and recording two sacks in a victory over Clemson.
Young continued his academic work in communication studies as he prepped for the NFL Draft, fulfilling a promise he made to his family and himself.
"Graduating from college and being the first in my family to do that, coming from where I came from, means a lot," Young said. "It's one of my biggest accomplishments, honestly probably No. 1 because for years you felt like you couldn't do it or doubted myself. I had to believe in myself and take advantage of this opportunity. It truly means everything."
Everything Young has done in his life has been with a relentless pursuit. He dominated the pre-draft process leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft with an outstanding Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. The Los Angeles Rams then made his lifelong dream come true, selecting Young with the No. 77 overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Since then, Young has become one of the premiere defenders in the NFL. He led all rookie edge rushers in sacks with eight in 2023 as he earned All-Rookie honors. This past season, he helped lead the Rams to the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs en route to his first career Pro Bowl. He still managed to work on his UTK academic pledge.
"I had to keep my word and follow through," Young said. "Getting to the NFL was my dream, and a lot of players don't come back and finish, but I am one of those guys where it was important to me. It was mandatory. I am grateful for the opportunity."
Sampson's journey from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Knoxville culminated with a 2024 campaign that solidified him as one of the greatest running backs in program history. He broke five single-season records, and he was named an All-American and the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in leading Tennessee to its first College Football Playoff.
Academically, he was a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient, while majoring in information sciences. Known to his teammates and coaches as "Samp," the fan favorite declared for the NFL Draft following his junior season. He was selected with the No. 126 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
"It's a blessing. It just fulfills everything full circle, getting my degree and making it to the league all at the same time," he said.
Sampson completed his rookie season last fall and is poised for an even bigger role with the Browns in 2026. With his family in attendance this weekend and all that he has accomplished, Sampson said walking across the stage Friday night was the crowning achievement.
"It's got to be at the top of the list," he said. "A lot of people don't get that opportunity (to go back), and it was only right that I finish. It was hard work but worth it. With the accommodations, this school made it easy to finish."
Additional football Vols who participated in commencement ceremonies this weekend included Hunter Barnes, Deon Hardin, Wendell Moe Jr., Carson Whitehead, Montrell Bandy, Joshua Helsdon, Gus Hill, Seamus Meagher, Nathan Robinson, Jackson Ross and Jourdan Thomas. Earlier this spring, Thomas was awarded as a Torchbearer, representing the university's highest undergraduate honor.
"Graduating from college and being the first in my family to do that, coming from where I came from, means a lot. It's one of my biggest accomplishments, honestly probably No. 1 because for years you felt like you couldn't do it or doubted myself. I had to believe in myself and take advantage of this opportunity. It truly means everything."
- Byron Young
“It’s got to be at the top of the list. A lot of people don’t get that opportunity (to go back), and it was only right that I finish. It was hard work but worth it. With the accommodations, this school made it easy to finish.”
- Dylan Sampson