All of the remarks made on the Tennessee Vols during the NFL Scouting Combine

The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis has put several Tennessee Volunteers in the spotlight as they look to impress NFL teams ahead of the draft. With standout performances, intriguing measurables, and plenty of buzz from coaches, scouts, and analysts, the Vols have made a strong impression at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Tennessee’s program has produced top-tier NFL talent in recent years, and this year is no different. With players like Joe Milton III, Jaylen Wright, and Kamal Hadden, among others, participating in the Combine, there’s plenty of discussion about how they translate to the next level.

Here’s a full breakdown of every remark, quote, and analysis on Tennessee Vols prospects from the NFL Combine.

Joe Milton III (QB) – A Freak Athlete with a Cannon Arm

Measurements:

• Height: 6’5”
• Weight: 235 lbs
• Hand Size: 10 3/8” (largest of all QBs)

One of the most talked-about Tennessee players at the Combine, Joe Milton III has been turning heads with his physical traits and arm strength. Scouts and analysts have repeatedly compared him to Josh Allen and Anthony Richardson due to his raw athleticism and cannon-like arm.

Key Quotes on Milton:

🔹 NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah:
“Joe Milton has maybe the best arm talent in this draft. He can throw a football 80 yards with ease, but the challenge is consistency. If a team believes they can develop him, he’s an intriguing Day 2 or Day 3 pick.”

🔹 ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.:
“Milton is a project, but his upside is off the charts. If you’re an NFL team with a veteran QB and you want a guy to mold, he’s a fascinating option.”

🔹 Anonymous NFC Scout (via The Athletic):
“He’s got the best arm in the class, no doubt. But can he make the right reads consistently? That’s the biggest question.”

Combine Performance:

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.55 seconds (excellent for his size)
• Throwing Session: Showed effortless deep ball ability, but scouts wanted to see better touch on shorter routes

Milton is seen as a high-upside developmental QB who could go in the mid-to-late rounds, with a team potentially taking a chance on his elite traits.

Jaylen Wright (RB) – The Fastest Running Back?

Measurements:

• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 210 lbs

Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright was already projected as one of the best speed backs in the draft, and he solidified his status at the Combine. Wright’s ability to hit home runs in Tennessee’s offense was well known, but his 40-yard dash time put him in elite company.

Key Quotes on Wright:

🔹 NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks:
“Jaylen Wright is a guy who can absolutely take the top off a defense. His explosiveness jumps off the tape, and now he’s proving it with these testing numbers.”

🔹 ESPN’s Matt Miller:
“Speed sells in the NFL, and Wright is going to make a lot of teams interested with his wheels. He’s a perfect fit for an outside-zone scheme where he can get in space and take off.”

🔹 AFC Running Backs Coach (via NFL.com):
“He’s not just a speed back. He runs with more power than you’d expect for his frame. He’s going to be a big riser in this class.”

Combine Performance:

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.37 seconds (one of the fastest times for a RB)
• Vertical Jump: 38 inches (elite explosiveness)
• Broad Jump: 10’7”

Wright’s stock is rising fast, with some projecting him as a Day 2 pick (Rounds 2-3) due to his combination of speed, vision, and surprising power.

Kamal Hadden (CB) – A Sleeper with Big Upside

Measurements:

• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 190 lbs

Kamal Hadden was having a breakout season in 2023 before suffering a season-ending injury. Despite missing time, NFL teams remain interested in his length, physicality, and ball skills. His Combine performance was critical in showing that he’s fully recovered.

Key Quotes on Hadden:

🔹 NFL Network’s Charles Davis (former Tennessee Vol):
“If Kamal Hadden hadn’t gotten hurt, he’d be getting a lot more buzz. He’s got length, instincts, and a nose for the football.”

🔹 Anonymous AFC Scout (via Bleacher Report):
“If he tests well and clears medicals, he’s a Day 2 guy. If there are concerns about durability, he might slip, but the talent is real.”

🔹 ESPN’s Jordan Reid:
“Hadden fits what today’s NFL wants in a press corner. He can disrupt routes at the line and has the ball skills to make quarterbacks pay.”

Combine Performance:

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.50 seconds
• Vertical Jump: 36 inches
• Broad Jump: 10’4”

Hadden is seen as a mid-round pick (Rounds 3-5), with potential to be a starter in the right scheme.

Other Tennessee Players at the Combine

Javontez Spraggins (OL) – A Nasty Interior Lineman

Spraggins impressed with his strength and physicality, but some scouts believe he needs to refine his technique in pass protection.

🔹 Combine Performance:

• Bench Press: 28 reps (among the best for OL)
• Movement Drills: Showed power but needs to improve footwork.

McCallan Castles (TE) – An Underrated Athlete

The former transfer from UC Davis showed better-than-expected athleticism and solid blocking ability, making him an intriguing late-round tight end option.

🔹 Combine Performance:

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.70 seconds
• 3-Cone Drill: 7.10 seconds (showing good agility for a TE)

Final Takeaways: How the Vols Are Viewed by the NFL

Tennessee’s NFL Combine performance generated a lot of positive buzz, with Joe Milton III and Jaylen Wright leading the way. Milton’s elite arm and athleticism make him a high-upside developmental QB, while Wright’s elite speed makes him a potential early-round pick.

Hadden and Spraggins are mid-round prospects who could find themselves rising based on team needs, while Castles is a late-round sleeper who could carve out a role.

Potential Landing Spots for Top Vols

• Joe Milton III: Steelers, Colts, Seahawks (teams looking for developmental QBs)
• Jaylen Wright: Dolphins, Ravens, Bills (teams needing explosive RBs)
• Kamal Hadden: 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys (teams needing long press corners)
• Javontez Spraggins: Titans, Bears, Bengals (teams needing physical interior OL)

With Pro Days and team visits still to come, the Vols’ draft stock could rise even further. Tennessee continues to produce NFL-caliber talent, and this year’s Combine performance solidified that trend.

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