NFL Update: 38 VFLs, 8 ex-Vols, 7 Knox area players, coaches & players with UT connections in minicamps
By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports
Updated 5/13/24
Here’s an updated list of University of Tennessee players on expanded NFL rosters as 2024 rookie minicamps are underway this weekend.
You’ll also see a list of players that were once at UT as well as other Knoxville area players that played at other schools. Plus, I’ve included coaches throughout the league that either played or coached at the University of Tennessee or are from the Knoxville area.
I’ve included depth chart listings from either the team’s “unofficial” depth chart or Ourlads’ reported depth charts that are very accurate.
That’s all below now, and will be updated often, here on my blog “Vince’s View.”
Notes
*38 VFLs in the NFL
*11 VFL rookies total (3 draft picks & 8 undrafted free agent)
*21 of 32 teams have a VFL on their rosters
*16 VFLs in the AFC
*22 VFLs in the NFC
*8 VFLs are listed as starters on their depth charts
*Panthers/Bears/Lions/Titans are tied for the most Vols with 3
*8 ex-Vols that finished college at others schools currently with NFL teams
*8 Knoxville-area players that did not attend UT currently with NFL teams
*9 VFL coaches/staff/front office are in the NFL
*11 Ex-UT coaches/grad assistants are in the NFL
*2 others from the Knoxville Area with no UT background are in the NFL (2)
*LB Aaron Beasley was announced by UT and different outlets as signing with the Seattle Seahawks after the draft, however he was not announced as an undrafted free agent signing by the team and was not on the club’s official rookie minicamp roster that includes tryouts
Tennessee Volunteers In The NFL as of 5/5/24 (38)
x = rookie
AFC East (3)
RB – Jaylen Wright (25) Miami Dolphins (3rd team)-x
QB – Joe Milton III (19) New England Patriots (4th team)-x
TE -Jacob Warren (–) New England Patriots (5th team)-x
NONE – Buffalo Bills, New York Jets
AFC North (4)
WR – Cedric Tillman (89) Cleveland Browns (2nd team)
RB – John Kelly Jr. (41) Cleveland Browns (5th team)
RB – Cordarrelle Patterson (84) Pittsburgh Steelers (3rd team/starting KR)
WR – Marquez Callaway (17) Pittsburgh Steelers (4th team)
NONE – Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
AFC South (4)
DE – Derek Barnett (95) Houston Texans (2nd team)
LS – Morgan Cox (46) Tennessee Titans (LS)
RB – Jabari Small (31) Tennessee Titans (5th team)-x
CB – Gabe Jeudy-Lally (32) Tennessee Titans (4th team)-x
NONE – Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars
AFC West (5)
OG – Trey Smith (65) Kansas City Chiefs (starting RG)
CB – Kamal Hadden (17) Kansas City Chiefs (2nd team)-x
DT – Matthew Butler (91) Las Vegas Raiders (3rd team)
WR – Ramel Keyton (82) Las Vegas Raiders (3rd team)-x
WR – Joshua Palmer (5) Los Angeles Chargers (starting WR)
NONE – Denver Broncos
NFC East (3)
TE – Princeton Fant (48) Dallas Cowboys (4th team)
WR – Jalin Hyatt (84) New York Giants (starting WR)
TE – McCallan Castles (43) Philadelphia Eagles (5th team)-x
NONE – Washington Commanders
NFC North (7)
OT – Darnell Wright (58) Chicago Bears (starting RT)
WR – Velus Jones Jr. (12) Chicago Bears (2nd team/starting KR & PR)
OG – Jerome Carvin (63) Chicago Bears (3rd team)
QB – Hendon Hooker (2) Detroit Lions (2nd team)
CB – Emmanuel Moseley (4) Detroit Lions (2nd team)
WLB – Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) Detroit Lions (2nd team)
SS – Theo Jackson (25) Minnesota Vikings (2nd team)
NONE – Green Bay Packers
NFC South (6)
FS – Micah Abernathy (29) Atlanta Falcons (2nd team)
DT – Shy Tuttle (99) Carolina Panthers (starting NT)
OG – Cade Mays (64) Carolina Panthers (2nd team LG)
OT – Jeremiah Crawford (–) Carolina Panthers (4th team)-x
RB – Alvin Kamara (41) New Orleans Saints (starting RB)
CB – Alontae Taylor (1) New Orleans Saints (starting NB)
NONE – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC West (6)
OLB – Byron Young (0) Los Angeles Rams (starting OLB)
SS – Jaylen McCullough (–) Los Angeles Rams (4th team)-x
WR – Jauan Jennings (15) San Francisco 49ers (2nd team)
QB – Joshua Dobbs (5) San Francisco 49ers (2nd team)
OLB – Darrell Taylor (52) Seattle Seahawks (2nd team)
CB – Dee Williams (33) Seattle Seahawks (5th team/3rd team KR)-x
NONE – Arizona Cardinals
Ex-Vols That Transferred To Other Schools On NFL Rosters (8)
WR – Brandon Johnson (89) Denver Broncos (UCF) (3rd team)
SLB – Henry To’o to’o (39) Houston Texans (Alabama) (starting SLB)
P – Tommy Townsend (6) Houston Texans (Florida) (P/H)
OT – Wanya Morris (64) Kansas City Chiefs (Oklahoma) (starting LT)
RB – Zach Evans (21) Los Angeles Rams (Louisville) (4th team)
RB – Ty Chandler (32) Minnesota Vikings (North Carolina) (2nd team/starting KR)
QB – Nathan Peterman (10) New Orleans Saints (Pitt) (4th team)
RB – Eric Gray (20) New York Giants (Oklahoma) (2nd team)
Knoxville Area Players That Didn’t Play at UT on NFL Rosters (8)
WR – Tee Higgins (5) Cincinnati Bengals (Oak Ridge HS/Clemson) (starting)
MLB – Devin Harper (56) Cincinnati Bengals (Karns HS/Oklahoma St.) (3rd team)
C – Nate Gilliam (66) Cincinnati Bengals (Farragut HS/Wake Forest) (4th team)
TE – Nate Adkins (45) Denver Broncos (Bearden HS/ETSU/South Carolina) (4th team)
QB – Trevor Lawrence (16) Jacksonville Jaguars (Born in Knoxville/Clemson) (starting QB)
SS – Harrison Smith (22) Minnesota Vikings (Catholic HS/Notre Dame) (starting SS)
OG – Cole Strange (69) New England Patriots (Farragut HS/Chattanooga) (starting LG)
QB – Parker McKinney (–) Minnesota Vikings (Coalfield HS/Eastern Kentucky) (5th team) tryout
VFL Coaches/Staff/Front Office in the NFL (9)
Tee Martin – Baltimore (QB) Played QB 1996-1999
Chuck Smith – Baltimore (Def Pass Rush Coach) Played DE 1990-1991
Marion Hobby – Cincinnati (DL Coach) Played DE 1990-1992 and Asst S&C Coach 1998
Jim Bob Cooter – Indianapolis (OC) Played QB 2002-2005 & G.A. 2007-2008
Reggie McKenzie – Miami (Sr. Personnel Executive) Played LB 1981-1984 & G.A. 1993
Jerod Mayo – New England (HC) Played LB 2005-2007
Kacy Rodgers – Tampa Bay (Run Game Coord/DL Coach) Played LB/DE 1988-1991
Bo Hardegree – Tennessee (QB Coach) Played QB 2004-2007
Luke Stocker – Tennessee (Asst TE Coach) Played TE 2007-2010
Ex-UT Coaches/Grad Assistants in the NFL (11)
Kevin Koger – Atlanta (TE Coach) Off. Quality Control 2015
Eric Ciano – Buffalo (Head S&C Coach) G.A. 1997-1999 & Assoc Head S&C Coach 2002-2004
Dom Capers – Carolina (Sr. Def Asst) Assistant (DB) 1980-1981
Derrick Ansley – Green Bay (Def Pass Game Coord.) Assistant (DB) 2012
Jerry Mack – Jacksonville (RB Coach) Assistant (RB) 2021-2023
Drew Hughes – Jacksonville (Player Personnel Coord) Recruiting Coord 2018-2019
Derius Swinton II – Las Vegas (Asst ST Coach) G.A. 2007-2008
Jason Michael – Philadelphia (TE Coach) G.A. 2003-2004 & Assistant (TE) 2008
Zach Azzanni – Pittsburgh (WR Coach) Assistant (Pass Game Coord/WR) 2013-2016
Brandon Staley – San Francisco (Asst HC) G.A. 2012
Tracy Rocker – Tennessee (DL Coach) Assistant (DL) 2017-2019
From Knoxville Area/No UT Background in the NFL (2)
Mike Caldwell – Las Vegas (Def Run Game Coord/LB Coach) from Oak Ridge, TN
Jimmy Haslam – Cleveland (Owner) from Knoxville, TN
Free Agent VFLs
FB Jakob Johnson
DL Kyle Phillips
DL Kendal Vickers
DB Cameron Sutton
LB AJ Johnson
DB Justin Coleman
DL Jonathan Kongbo
P/K Michael Palardy
Free Agent Ex-Vols & Knoxville Area Players
WR Amari Rodgers
LB Deandre Johnson
Find more of my broadcasting work at VinceSports.net
The Athletic Ranks Tennessee Basketball No. 1 in the Nation
Tennessee’s basketball team is off to a hot start.
The Vols have a 2-0 record with wins over Tennessee Tech and Wisconsin.
The Vols’ 80-70 win at Wisconsin on Friday night offered an early resume boost for Tennessee, which also beat highly-ranked Michigan State in East Lansing in a preseason exhibition game.
One big reason for the early success has been Dalton Knecht, a wing transfer from Northern Colorado.
Knecht scored 24 points against Wisconsin and is averaging 20.5 points through the first two games. (He also scored 28 points against Michigan State.)
Knecht’s impact and the Vols’ returning talent caused CJ Moore of The Athletic to rank Tennessee No. 1 in the country after the first week of the season.
“I’m running for president of the Dalton Knecht fan club,” Moore wrote.” He is the All-American no one saw coming. We had Knecht at No. 44 in our transfer portal rankings, so it wasn’t like he was completely off the radar.
“But Knecht was on a losing team and a second-team All-Big Sky selection last year at Northern Colorado. Second team! If we had a do-over on the transfer rankings, I’d have him neck and neck with Hunter Dickinson (of Kansas) for the top spot. (Knecht is) that good.”
Moore, who predicted Knecht will go in the first round of the upcoming NBA Draft, is just the latest national media member to sing the praises of Tennessee (and Knecht).
Last week, ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg picked Tennessee as his national champion.
“They’ve got great depth,” Greenberg said on ESPN. “They’re playing with much greater flow. They’re playing in transition. They have more shot-makers. You know they’re going to defend. I think Tennessee makes a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.”
Long-time college hoops writer Andy Katz also ranked Tennessee No. 1 in his updated power rankings on Monday.
All of this came after Michigan State coach Tom Izzo called Tennessee a Final Four team following the Spartans’ exhibition game against Tennessee.
It’s very early in the college basketball season. Tennessee has a lot more to prove beyond one or two weeks of basketball.
The Vols will have a chance to showcase themselves further next week when they play in a loaded Maui Invitational in Honolulu.
But there’s no denying the hype surrounding Tennessee’s basketball team.
It’s only getting started.
Vince’s View: Watch Tennessee celebrate 33-27 win at Kentucky
Here’s some on-field video I shot of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrating it’s road win at Kroger Field in Lexington over the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday night 33-27.
WATCH: Postgame Reaction – Tennessee 33 Kentucky 27
By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports (on X/Facebook/IG/YouTube)
I broke down Tennessee’s 33-27 road win at the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday night in Lexington from down on the field at Kroger Field in the video below.
Dee Williams’ Chance to Help Tennessee’s Offense
Have you watched a Tennessee game over the past two seasons and at some point said, “Why don’t they put Dee Williams on offense?”
If so, Josh Heupel might be ready to use your entry in the suggestion box.
Austin Price of Volquest told us this week he expects Williams, who has practiced in the secondary, to get a look on offense.
Swain’s ears popped up when Austin mentioned the idea.
“It just makes sense,” Swain said of Williams playing offense.
It’s not as easy as telling Williams to go line up in the slot, catch the ball, and run.
For one, catching the ball on offense is different than fielding a kick or punt.
Also, Tennessee’s offense runs on tempo.
Williams has to prepare to run several plays in a row.
He could sub in and out, of course, but that’s not Tennessee’s style.
But there’s no denying this: Williams is electric with the ball.
Imagine him on the field with Dylan Sampson and/or Squirrel White.
How do you think an opposing defensive coordinator would like that?
Tennessee’s offense has a good amount of playmakers.
The Vols’ offense also needs to find new ways to hit big plays.
Could Williams help in that area?
We might soon find out.
This blog originated in the weekly Josh and Swain Newsletter. Click Here to subscribe for FREE.
Check out the Josh and Swain podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Including:
Apple: http://apple.co/3On3KbH
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What it Really Means to Wear the T
Most of the conversation this week centered on Tennessee’s loss at Florida and how the Vols can get back on track.
Thursday’s Josh and Swain went in a different direction during the first segment in our third hour.
A listener stopped by while we were at SmartBank in Alcoa.
She asked if we could mention her papaw, a long-time Tennessee fan and listener of The Sports Animal.
We were happy to do it, which led to a longer discussion about the connection between Tennessee football and its fanbase.
Jayson Swain provided a great perspective on his experience as a player at UT and what he’s learned about the importance of Tennessee football since his playing career ended.
“I get a chance to experience and hear all these stories and how much Tennessee means to fans,” Swain said. “It’s really powerful.”
Check out the full segment below. I think you’ll enjoy it.
WATCH: NFL Network Reporter Steve Wyche talks 2020 season
By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports
I had a chance recently to visit with terrific NFL Network Reporter Steve Wyche @Wyche89 to discuss the 2020 season. This interview aired on SportsTalk with John and Jimmy on 99.1 The Sports Animal a few weeks back.
Even though a few of the items (like the Alvin Kamara contract) have played out since our conversation, I thought the interview was too good and fun to not share via video as well.
Steve and Jim Trotter co-host the recently debuted Huddle and Flow podcast that you should check out as well.
Look for plenty more video interviews, predictions and analysis from me throughout the football season on my blog page.
SEC players make up 20% of NFL season opening rosters, all the numbers
By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports
As so many of us are excited about the start of the 2019 NFL season, I decided to take a deep dive into the SEC players that are active and inactive in the NFL as the season approaches and the rosters are down to 53.
These numbers are based on publicly released NFL rosters and daily transitions via NFL Communications. These numbers are through today, Thursday, September 5th and will change often daily.
At the moment, there are 340 players from SEC schools among the 1,696 on 53-player roster spots in the NFL. That’s 20% of the players in the league played in the Southeastern Conference. There are an additional 83 players with NFL teams that are inactive beyond the current 53-player rosters.
SEC Players In NFL By School On 53-player rosters (340)
1. Alabama 56
2. LSU 35
2. Florida 35
4. Georgia 30
5. Texas A&M 27
6. Auburn 26
7. Tennessee 24
8. South Carolina 23
9. Mississippi St 20
9. Ole Miss 20
11. Arkansas 12
12. Missouri 11
12. Kentucky 11
14. Vanderbilt 10
SEC Players Inactive In NFL (83)
LSU 11
Tennessee 10
Florida 7
Mississippi St 7
Missouri 7
Alabama 6
Arkansas 6
Auburn 5
Texas A&M 5
Georgia 5
Vanderbilt 4
Ole Miss 4
Kentucky 4
South Carolina 2
SEC Players By NFL Team (53-roster only/does not count inactives)
Jacksonville (17)
Chicago (15)
Washington (15)
New England (14)
Carolina (14)
Tampa Bay (14)
Houston (13)
Cleveland (13)
NY Giants (13)
Pittsburgh (13)
Cincinnati (12)
Miami (12)
Green Bay (11)
Baltimore (11)
Detroit (11)
Kansas City (11)
New Orleans (10)
Buffalo (10)
Atlanta (10)
Arizona (10)
LA Chargers (9)
NY Jets (9)
Oakland (9)
Seattle (9)
Tennessee (8)
Indianapolis (8)
Philadelphia (7)
San Francisco (7)
Denver (7)
Minnesota (6)
LA Rams (6)
Dallas (6)
Most Players From SEC Schools On One NFL Team (Active)
Baltimore – 6 (Alabama)
Washington – 6 (Alabama)
Washington – 4 (Florida)
Pittsburgh – 4 (Tennessee)
Green Bay – 4 (Miss State)
Chicago – 4 (Georgia)
Cincinnati – 4 (Georgia)
Most SEC Inactive Players
New England – 7
Fewest SEC Inactive Players
Baltimore – 0
Pittsburgh – 0
Most SEC Schools On One Roster
Jacksonville – 10
Houston – 10
Find more of my broadcasting work at VinceSports.net
Vince Ferrara Blog
Here’s an updated list of University of Tennessee players on expanded NFL rosters as 2024 rookie minicamps are underway this weekend.… MORE
Here’s some on-field video I shot of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrating it’s road win at Kroger Field in Lexington over the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday night 33-27.… MORE
I broke down Tennessee’s 33-27 road win at the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday night in Lexington from down on the field at Kroger Field in the video below.… MORE
We talked the NFL’s handling of covid-19, Kamara, Fournette, the NFC West & Titans… MORE
See where UT ranks among SEC teams in the NFL & Vols have plenty of inactives… MORE
Josh Ward Blog
Dalton Knecht and Tennessee basketball are getting some major pub.… MORE
