By Mark Nagi
It’s not a perfect sign of the health of your football program, but typically, if your team doesn’t have the NFL looking at your roster, you probably aren’t succeeding at a high level.
The 2002 NFL Draft saw 10 Vols selected, a high mark for the program. And while this year’s draft didn’t reach that number, we did see five Vols selected.
In the second round, cornerback Colton Hood was selected by the NY Giants, while wide receiver Chris Brazzell II was selected in the third round by the Carolina Panthers.
Hood made the most of his only season in Knoxville. Last year, he made 50 tackles while returning a fumble for a TD and had a Pick-6 as well. Hood is the highest Tennessee player drafted since 2010, when the Kansas City Chiefs picked Eric Berry in the first round.
“I’m just going to be myself,” Hood told reporters in New Jersey. “I’m not going to go in there and try to step on anybody’s toes, but I am coming in there to compete. That’s just who I am.”
Hood added, “I’ve been dreaming about this since I was six years old. Like, looking at my ceiling, dreaming about playing in the NFL, and then to get to play for such a storied franchise as the Giants and this great city of New York… just to be able to be here in this moment is definitely something that I’m grateful for and that I am going to be appreciative of…”
Brazzell ran a 4.37 40 at the NFL Combine, and Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales thinks they got a steal. “We weren’t expecting Chris to be there… and he kept dropping to us,” said Canales. “And just what a great opportunity for us to… add to that (wide receivers) room. Just another element, another dimension and create a competitive roster.”
Jermod McCoy was considered to be the top cornerback in the draft. But a lot of teams were scared off by his medical situation. McCoy missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL. When NFL medical staff saw concern about a bone plug that was used to repair a cartilage defect, first-round talent turned into fourth-round reality. McCoy was selected in that round by the Las Vegas Raiders. Another surgery may be necessary.
“All my doctors that did my surgery told me that I’m good,” said McCoy. “But if the team wants me to do something for the longevity of my career, I’m willing to do that. I’m going to listen to the team because I feel like they have my best interests in mind.”
Edge rusher Joshua Josephs was picked in the fifth round by the Washington Commanders. He had 104 tackles and 9.5 sacks in his four seasons at Tennessee. “I guess a sigh of relief or like a breath of fresh air,” Josephs said. “The wait’s finally over… I’m just blessed to be in this position and I’m very grateful that I’m a Commander.”
The fifth and final former Vol taken in the 2026 NFL Draft was defensive lineman Tyre West. He watched the final day of the draft in Union County, surrounded by friends and family. A raucous celebration took place when he got the call, as he was picked in the seventh round by the Detroit Lions.
West’s versatility was appealing to the Lions, who see him capable of playing defensive tackle or end. “Wherever you put me, wherever I line up, I’m always going to do my best to make plays,” West said.
Among the former Vols signing free agent deals were QB Joey Aguilar (Jacksonville), DL Bryson Eason (Houston) and TE Miles Kitselman (Detroit).
