- At least four former Tennessee Vols are expected to be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.
- Edge rusher James Pearce, initially projected as a top pick, may slide into the second round.
- Other likely draft picks include running back Dylan Sampson, defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott and wide receiver Dont’e Thornton.
The 2025 NFL Draft should be well populated with Tennessee football players.
At least four former Vols are expected to be selected, led by edge rusher James Pearce. But the group could grow to six players with a late-round surge.
Then expect a flurry of UT players to sign as undrafted free agents from a veteran team that made the College Football Playoff last season.
Round 1 is on April 24 (8 p.m. ET); rounds 2-3 on April 25 (7 p.m.); rounds 4-7 on April 26 (noon). It will be broadcast on NFL Network, ABC and ESPN.
Here’s what you should know about the Vols in the 2025 NFL Draft.
James Pearce may slip out of first round
A year ago, some mock drafts projected Pearce as the No. 1 overall pick. Almost every projection had him as a top 10 pick.
But Pearce’s stock dropped during the 2024 season and the pre-draft process, when his maturity and character were questioned.
Pearce could still squeeze into the late first round. But most draft analysts now view him as a second-round steal.
CBS Sports projects the Tennessee Titans picking Pearce at the No. 35 pick in the second round. ESPN's Mel Kiper has the Philadelphia Eagles selecting Pearce at No. 32, the final pick of the first round.
If Pearce is still on the board late in the first round, he'll be a hotly debated player.
Tennessee draft class could fluctuate
Four Vols are listed in virtually every mock draft.
They include Pearce (first-second round); running back Dylan Sampson (third-fourth round); defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott (third-fifth round); wide receiver Dont’e Thornton (third-sixth round).
But defensive Elijah Simmons and wide receiver Bru McCoy have appeared in a handful of mock drafts as possible seventh-round picks. If they’re not selected, they’ll be picked up as undrafted free agents.
A draft class between four and six is consistent with UT’s surge under coach Josh Heupel. The Vols have produced 13 draft picks in the past three years, an average of 4.3 per year.
Expect a surge of Vols signed as undrafted free agents
Simmons and McCoy may slip out of the draft and into the undrafted free agent pool.
All-SEC offensive linemen Cooper Mays and Javontez Spraggins should be popular pickups following the draft. Omari Thomas was a veteran defensive lineman, but he’s also worked out as an offensive lineman during pre-draft workouts.
Offensive lineman John Campbell, offensive lineman Dayne Davis, offensive lineman Andrej Karic, defensive back Will Brooks, linebacker Eli Purcell and long snapper Matthew Salansky also participated in UT’s pro day. And linebacker Keenan Pilimet with NFL personnel during his rehab from a 2024 season-ending injury.
They hope to land in an NFL camp. It could produce one of UT’s largest contingents of undrafted free agents in recent memory.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Emailadam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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