The 2026 NFL Draft ended with five Tennessee Volunteers players being selected, along with seven undrafted free agent signings. This marks the third time the Vols have had at least five players drafted under head coach Josh Heupel since 2022.
Additionally, Tennessee had two cornerbacks taken in this year’s draft, which was more than any SEC team. The only other program with multiple cornerbacks selected was Washington.
Surprisingly, the Volunteers also had four defensive players selected in the draft, the most since 2007. Not bad for a team that finished No. 91 in total defense last season.
Here is a list of every former Vol who found a new home in 2026:
NFL Draft Picks
Colton Hood, CB, New York Giants – Round 2, Pick 37
Colton Hood was the first player selected for the Vols in the draft. Prior to transferring to Tennessee in 2025, Hood primarily served as a backup cornerback behind Travis Hunter at Colorado, and he began his career at Auburn.
In his lone season in orange, the standout cornerback appeared in 12 games, recording 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception, eight pass breakups, and two defensive touchdowns. Hood’s on-field play earned him second-team All-SEC honors (AP), and he was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
Heading into the draft, Hood was widely projected to be a mid- to late-first-round pick; however, he fell to the New York Giants in the second round. Although he was drafted later than expected, he will likely receive considerable playing time, given that he was selected by a team that ranked 28th in total defense last season.
Chris Brazzell II, WR, Carolina Panthers – Round 3, Pick 83
In 2025, Chris Brazzell II was part of one of the most dynamic wide receiver corps in the country, which included three players who surpassed 800 receiving yards.
Not only did Brazzell lead the Volunteers in receiving, but he also led the SEC in receiving touchdowns (nine) and finished second in the conference in yards (1,017). That same year, Brazzell was a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist and earned first-team All-SEC honors.
The 6-foot-5 wide receiver was once viewed as a potential first-round pick after running a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and recording a 38.5-inch vertical jump. However, Brazzell was selected in the third round by the Carolina Panthers. Interestingly, the Panthers were Brazzell’s favorite team growing up, so he likely will not complain.
Outside of Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina did not have a receiver with at least 400 yards, so there is a real possibility that Brazzell could start in his rookie season.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Las Vegas Raiders – Round 4, Pick 101
Jermod McCoy played only one season for the Vols (2024) before suffering a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. Even without seeing the field for more than a year, McCoy was considered a surefire first-round pick until reports surfaced that he could require an additional knee surgery to repair a cartilage defect.
These reports led to McCoy falling to the fourth round of the NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders, becoming one of the biggest surprises of the draft. Prior to his injury, McCoy was a second-team All-American and a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist as a sophomore in 2024. That year, he recorded 44 tackles, four interceptions, and nine pass breakups.
Before transferring to Tennessee, McCoy started five games as a true freshman at Oregon State. During that season, he led the team with nine pass deflections, two interceptions, and 31 tackles.
Considering how successful McCoy was in just two seasons of college football, he could become one of the biggest steals of the 2026 NFL Draft if he fully recovers from his injuries.
Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Washington Commanders – Round 5, Pick 147
Joshua Josephs is arguably one of the most underrated Tennessee players in this draft class. He spent four seasons with the Volunteers, primarily serving as a rotational defensive end until the 2024 season. The talented edge rusher had the misfortune of sharing reps for three seasons with James Pearce Jr., who was once projected to be a first overall pick in 2025.
Because most attention was focused on Pearce during those seasons, Josephs was often overlooked. However, he arguably had his best season as a junior in 2024 while playing alongside Pearce. That year, he set career highs in tackles for loss (nine) and total tackles (39).
Not only is Josephs effective at making plays behind the line of scrimmage, but he is also a versatile playmaker for a defensive lineman. Throughout his four-year career, he recorded nearly as many pass deflections (nine) as sacks (9.5). He also totaled six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown.
Josephs was projected to be selected anywhere from the third to fifth rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. Ultimately, he was taken in the fifth round by the Washington Commanders. Despite being a late-round pick, do not be surprised if Josephs earns meaningful reps in the coming seasons and eventually becomes a starter.
Tyre West, DL, Detroit Lions – Round 7, Pick 222
Outside of McCoy’s fall to the fourth round, defensive lineman Tyre West being selected in the seventh round by the Detroit Lions was arguably the most surprising development. Not only was he not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but most projections had West as an undrafted free agent. However, he ultimately found a home with Detroit in the seventh round.
Similar to Josephs, West served as a rotational lineman for much of his four-year career at Tennessee. One thing scouts likely noticed was his consistent statistical improvement each season. Over his first three seasons, he averaged 14 tackles, 4.3 tackles for loss, and two sacks. During his senior season in 2025, West recorded career highs in tackles (23), tackles for loss (7.5), and sacks (four).
It could be challenging for West to make the Lions’ 53-man roster given his draft position, but Tennessee is known for rotating multiple defensive linemen, so there is a chance he could benefit from increased playing time.
Undrafted Free Agent Signings
- Joey Aguilar, QB → Jacksonville Jaguars
- Dominic Bailey, DL → Houston Texans
- Jalen McMurray, DB → Tennessee Titans
- William Wright, DB → Denver Broncos
- Bryson Eason, DL → San Francisco 49ers
- Miles Kitselman, TE → Detroit Lions
- Jaxson Moi, DL → Los Angeles Rams
