Pro Day is attended by Vols football players, highlighting the program’s excellence.

The Tennessee Volunteers football program has long been a cornerstone of college football, with a rich history of success, storied rivalries, and passionate fan support. However, in recent years, under head coach Josh Heupel, the program has experienced a resurgence that has placed it back into the national conversation. A key component of Tennessee’s resurgence has been the continued development of its players, who have shown they not only excel on the field but also perform exceptionally well at events like Pro Day. Tennessee’s Pro Day has become an annual highlight, showcasing the talent and potential of its players as they prepare for the next step in their football careers—whether that’s in the NFL or other professional leagues.

In 2025, Tennessee’s Pro Day served as another powerful testament to the program’s growing excellence under Heupel’s leadership. The event, attended by numerous scouts, coaches, and NFL personnel, was a clear demonstration of how Tennessee football has evolved in recent years and how its players are among the best in the country. This article will explore the significance of Pro Day for Tennessee football, the players who participated, and what the event means for the program’s future.

The Importance of Pro Day

Pro Day is a vital event in the college football calendar, especially for players who hope to continue their careers in the NFL. It serves as an opportunity for draft-eligible players to showcase their physical abilities, skills, and measurements in front of NFL scouts and team representatives. Unlike the NFL Combine, which is held in Indianapolis each year, Pro Day allows players to perform these drills in familiar surroundings—on their own college campus. This comfort level is often beneficial for players who want to put their best foot forward in front of professional scouts.

For Tennessee, Pro Day is not only an opportunity for individual players to shine but also a chance for the program to demonstrate its growing reputation as a top-tier football program. When Vols players perform well on Pro Day, it reflects positively on the coaching staff and the development systems in place at the university. Each year, more and more scouts and NFL executives are taking notice of what Tennessee is building under Heupel. The success of Tennessee players at Pro Day is a testament to the program’s commitment to developing elite talent.

In recent years, Tennessee’s Pro Day has become a major event, drawing attention not just for the individual athletes performing but for the overall growth of the program. It’s an event that highlights the strides the team has made on the field and the caliber of player it is now producing. The 2025 Pro Day, in particular, showcased the fruits of Heupel’s system—players who are excelling not just in the fast-paced, high-scoring offense, but also in their ability to compete at the highest levels of football.

Players Who Stood Out at 2025 Pro Day

Each year, Pro Day brings out some of the most talented players from Tennessee’s roster. In 2025, several players stood out, impressing scouts and NFL personnel with their athleticism, strength, and versatility. These players exemplified the type of talent that Tennessee has been able to develop under Heupel’s coaching staff.

Hendon Hooker: Quarterback

Perhaps the most high-profile player attending Tennessee’s 2025 Pro Day was quarterback Hendon Hooker. Hooker, who had been a star for the Volunteers, had already established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in college football. Under Heupel’s offense, Hooker had flourished, showcasing a combination of impressive arm strength, poise, and mobility. He had led Tennessee to one of the most potent offenses in the nation, with a high-powered passing game that earned him national recognition.

At Pro Day, Hooker demonstrated why he was a highly sought-after prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft. His throwing session was a standout, with Hooker exhibiting the ability to make all the necessary throws—deep passes, intermediate routes, and touch throws. He also showed impressive accuracy and ball placement, especially in short to mid-range throws, which are crucial for success in the NFL. Hooker’s mobility was another key component that drew attention, as he showcased his ability to escape pressure and move well outside of the pocket, a trait that has become increasingly valuable in the NFL.

Although he may have been slightly overlooked in previous years, Hooker’s 2025 Pro Day performance solidified his status as a legitimate NFL prospect. Scouts were impressed not only with his physical traits but also with his maturity and leadership. Hooker’s ability to command Tennessee’s offense with efficiency and precision during his college career made him one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the draft class. Pro Day was another platform for him to shine, and he certainly made a lasting impression.

Jalin Hyatt: Wide Receiver

Another standout at Tennessee’s 2025 Pro Day was wide receiver Jalin Hyatt. Hyatt, who had emerged as one of the top playmakers in college football, demonstrated his elite speed and route-running ability throughout the 2024 season. His dynamic playmaking ability and deep-threat potential made him one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the SEC, and scouts were eager to see how his skills would translate to the NFL.

At Pro Day, Hyatt did not disappoint. He displayed exceptional speed in the 40-yard dash, clocking in one of the fastest times of the day. His agility drills showed off his ability to change directions quickly, and his route-running impressed scouts who noted his smooth transitions and ability to create separation from defenders. Hyatt also showcased his ability to make difficult catches in contested situations, proving that he has the skill set to thrive in both the open field and in tighter windows.

Hyatt’s success at Pro Day reinforced what was already clear: he is a future NFL star. His size, speed, and hands make him a potential difference-maker at the next level, and teams are eager to see how he will adapt to the professional game. Hyatt’s Pro Day performance only heightened his stock, and he is widely expected to be a first- or second-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Darnell Wright: Offensive Tackle

Darnell Wright, Tennessee’s star offensive tackle, was another key player at Pro Day. Wright had been a dominant force on the Vols’ offensive line for several years, helping to protect Hooker and open up lanes for the running game. As one of the top offensive line prospects in the 2025 draft class, Wright was the subject of much attention from NFL scouts looking for a versatile, powerful lineman who could contribute immediately.

Wright’s performance at Pro Day was impressive, showcasing his physicality, quickness, and technical ability. He participated in a variety of drills designed to test his strength, agility, and movement skills. Wright excelled in the bench press, registering an impressive number of reps, and his footwork drills revealed his ability to move fluidly for a player of his size. Scouts were particularly impressed with his ability to reset his hands quickly in pass protection, which is critical for success against the elite pass rushers in the NFL.

Wright’s size and skill set make him a potential cornerstone for any NFL offensive line, and his performance at Pro Day only solidified his place as one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the draft. His combination of strength, mobility, and technique makes him a likely first-round pick, and Tennessee’s Pro Day was the perfect platform for him to showcase his talents.

Byron Young: Defensive End

On the defensive side of the ball, Byron Young was a standout at Tennessee’s 2025 Pro Day. Young had been a key part of Tennessee’s defense during the 2024 season, and his ability to disrupt opposing offenses made him one of the top defensive line prospects in the draft class. At Pro Day, he showed off his speed, explosiveness, and technique, all of which are critical traits for a pass rusher in the NFL.

Young’s performance in the 40-yard dash was particularly impressive, as he clocked in with a time that rivaled some of the fastest defensive ends in the draft class. His ability to explode off the line of scrimmage was evident in his drills, and his hands and footwork in pass-rushing drills showed his ability to shed blockers and get to the quarterback. Scouts also noted Young’s strength, as he was able to power through blocking pads with ease, demonstrating the kind of physicality that makes him a promising NFL prospect.

Young’s combination of speed, power, and technique makes him a potential game-changer on the defensive line, and his Pro Day performance solidified his stock as a top-tier pass rusher in the draft. NFL teams will be eager to see how he performs in the professional ranks, and Tennessee’s Pro Day helped put him on the map as one of the top defensive prospects in the class.

The Impact of Pro Day on Tennessee’s Football Program

The success of Tennessee’s players at Pro Day is a clear reflection of the program’s ongoing excellence and growth. As the program continues to develop top-tier talent, Pro Day becomes an important platform for showcasing the strides the Vols have made under Coach Heupel. It also serves as a recruiting tool, demonstrating to potential future players that Tennessee is a program that develops NFL-caliber talent.

For Heupel, the success of his players at Pro Day is a validation of the work that’s been done since he took over as head coach. His ability to attract, develop, and showcase top talent is a key part of what has made Tennessee football relevant once again on the national stage. The performances of players like Hendon Hooker, Jalin Hyatt, Darnell Wright, and Byron Young demonstrate that the Vols are not just a program with a rich history—they are now a consistent producer of NFL-ready talent.