Tennessee saw four of its players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Edge rusher James Pearce was picked late in the first round by the Atlanta Falcons. Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott followed in the late second round, landing with the Kansas City Chiefs. Running back Dylan Sampson was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round, while receiver Dont’e Thornton headed west to join the Las Vegas Raiders, also in the fourth round.
As usual, several veteran Tennessee players went undrafted but are already finding opportunities elsewhere.
Veteran defensive tackle Omari Thomas quickly secured a deal with the New Orleans Saints. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing 325 pounds, Thomas was a key part of Tennessee’s rotation for four seasons and was once a highly touted four-star recruit known for his run-stopping ability.
Another stout defensive lineman, Elijah Simmons, will get his shot with the Arizona Cardinals. Simmons, a 6’2″, 340-pound nose tackle, generated some late-round buzz but ultimately went undrafted before signing with Arizona’s rebuilt defensive front.
Walk-on safety Will Brooks is also heading to Kansas City, joining Norman-Lott and former Vols standout Trey Smith. Brooks became a key playmaker for Tennessee in 2024, emerging in 2023 due to roster necessity. This past season, he notched a game-clinching interception against Alabama and returned a pick-six versus NC State.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Bru McCoy, guard Javontez Spraggins, and center Cooper Mays remain unsigned for now. We’ll continue to provide updates as more signings are announced throughout the day.
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