10 Tennessee football players who could get picked in 2024 NFL Draft
The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books, and Tennessee football had quite a showing with five players selected in the first 80 picks.
It’s hard to believe the Vols’ 2024 draft class could top this year, but let’s take a look anyway.
Keep in mind this list could change. Jacob Warren, a 6-foot-6 tight end, or Jabari Small, an experienced running back, could raise their stock. Transfers like linebacker Keenan Pili or cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally may take advantage of their lone season at Tennessee. Another defensive back or defensive lineman also could have a draft-worthy season.
Putting those aside, here are 10 Tennessee players who have the best chance to get drafted in 2024.
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Joe Milton
At best, Joe Milton is like Florida’s Anthony Richardson: A big, freakishly athletic, strong-armed quarterback who could be a first-round pick.
At worst, Milton has the same attributes but will not play well enough to warrant a high pick. If so, he’d still be drafted in the late rounds by a team hoping to unlock his potential.
That means millions of dollars hinge on how Milton plays in the 2023 season.
John Campbell
First, John Campbell needs to win the starting spot at left tackle. That’s where he started at Miami last season before transferring to UT.
Assuming Campbell wins that job, he’ll have plenty of game film against the best pass rushers in the SEC. If he plays well, the 6-foot-5, 330-pounder will get an NFL shot. He plays a position that carries a high value.
McCallan Castles
McCallan Castles transferred from UC-Davis to UT to compete in the SEC and prove he’s an NFL-caliber tight end. He has the size at 6-5, 233 pounds, and UT will give him opportunities to flash his talent as a replacement for Princeton Fant.
But Castles will need to show a well-rounded skillset as an in-line blocker, flexed route-runner and reliable receiver. There’s an NFL path, but he’ll need to adapt quickly to maximize his lone season with the Vols.
Bru McCoy
Wide receiver Bru McCoy will step into Cedric Tillman’s role, which he filled nicely at times last season when Tillman was sidelined by an injury. He had 52 catches for 667 yards and four TDs last season while sometimes serving as the third option.
McCoy has NFL skills and physicality but not elite speed. If he can show a burst, his draft stock will rise.
Dont’e Thornton
This might seem like a stretch. After all, Dont’e Thornton hasn’t even secured a starting spot at wide receiver yet. And he has two seasons of eligibility remaining after transferring from Oregon. But if Thornton plays a key role and plays well in 2023, he’ll be on draft boards in 2024.
He has a 6-5, 205-pound frame, good speed and versatility as an outside or slot receiver. It’s just a question of whether he can produce in UT’s offense sooner or later. If it takes awhile for Thornton to adjust, he’ll be on this list for the 2025 draft.
Ramel Keyton
Despite the addition of Thornton and the ascension of Squirrel White, don’t forget about Ramel Keyton. He quietly had a breakout season in 2022 and could build on that.
Keyton had 31 catches for 562 yards and five TDs. And his 18.1-yard average was second on the team, narrowly behind Biletnikoff Award winner Jalin Hyatt.
Keyton is 6-3, 195 pounds, and he could have enough highlights to draw NFL attention. But, first, he needs to secure a starting job.
Omari Thomas
NFL scouts already have seen plenty of Omari Thomas’ game film, even if they didn’t realize it. Thomas sacked Alabama’s Bryce Young and Kentucky’s Will Levis and hurried Florida’s Anthony Richardson five times.
Thomas is a powerful 6-4, 320-pound defensive tackle. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining, but he could declare for the draft in 2024 with a big season.
Tyler Baron
Sitting next to Hendon Hooker on the first night of this year’s draft, Tyler Baron may have been warming up to the idea of his own selection.
The 6-5, 260-pound defensive end has the size and foundational tools. But he needs to play more consistently, adjust to the physicality of strongside defensive end and make more dynamic plays.
If that happens this season, he could test the waters in the draft. If not, he could return for his final season of eligibility and enter the 2025 draft. But Baron appears to be on a path to the pros sooner than later.
Aaron Beasley
Aaron Beasley may have a high ceiling. After all, he didn’t play linebacker until his second year with the Vols. But this is the year when he needs to reach his potential for a chance at being drafted.
Beasley has produced. He had 84 tackles in 2021 and led the team with 76 tackles and 13 tackles-for-loss in 2022. He’s undersized at 6-1, 225 pounds, so flashing big-play ability as a blitzer and pass coverage linebacker could help his case.
Cooper Mays
In 2022, UT offensive lineman Cade Mays was drafted in the sixth round. He played 11 games and made two starts for the Carolina Panthers as a rookie. He still had one season of eligibility remaining but opted to enter the draft at 23 years old.
His brother, Cooper, could do the same. If he entered the 2024 draft, he would be 23 and still have one season of eligibility remaining.
Cooper is a 6-3, 305-pound center with high football IQ and a nasty streak that NFL teams covet. If he plays well and stays healthy this season, he could have a big decision to make next year.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. Twitter @AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 2024 NFL Draft: Joe Milton leads 10 prospects for Tennessee football
