2023 NFL draft: Five projections for former Vols
Pro Football Focus released an updated three-round 2023 NFL mock draft on March 16.
Offensive tackle Darnell Wright is projected as the No. 19 overall selection by Tampa Bay.
Wright earned first-team All-SEC honors after starting 13 games for the Vols in 2022. He was a semifinalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award and was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice last season. He started his career by being named to the 2019 Freshman All-SEC Team.
Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is projected as the No. 53 overall selection by the Chargers.
Hyatt became the first player in Tennessee history to win the Biletnikoff Award last season. He set a school-record with 15 receiving touchdowns in 2022. He also earned consensus first-team All-American honors after his junior season.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker is projected as the No. 55 overall selection by Detroit.
Hooker became the first Tennessee player to be named SEC Offensive Player of the Year since 1997. He finished fifth in Heisman Memorial Trophy voting and was a finalist for the Maxwell Award. He set a school record with a 68.8 completion percentage in two seasons with the Vols.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman is projected as the No. 68 overall selection by Denver.
Tillman earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2021 after becoming Tennessee’s first 1,000-yard receiver since 2012. He is tied for 10th-most career receiving touchdowns (17) in school history. Tillman set the school record for consecutive games with a touchdown reception.
Edge rusher Byron Young is projected as the No. 93 overall selection by Carolina.
Young earned first-team All-SEC honors and was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week twice last season. He finished his Tennessee career with 23.5 tackles for a loss and 12.5 sacks. Young was one of the top performers among his positional group at the 2023 NFL scouting combine.
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