Since being named head coach at Tennessee in 2021, Josh Heupel has seen 17 players drafted and reach the NFL.
The 2026 class features four surefire picks in the first few rounds, with some additional players rounding out the late-round projections.
Here’s a rundown of the Vols’ projected picks for this Thursday’s NFL Draft.
Cornerback Jermod McCoy
One of the most interesting cases in not only the Vols’ class, but the entire draft, Jermod McCoy enters the draft having not played in a live game since the 2024 season.
After an ACL tear sidelined McCoy for his entire junior year, he has made noise and still holds a year of work in 2024 that is first-round-worthy.
McCoy finished his sophomore year with four interceptions, 44 tackles, 26 solo tackles and seven passes defended.
In ESPN Jordan Reid’s April 20 mock draft, he projected McCoy to land at No. 15 in the first round with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“Looked like Jermod out there today,” Heupel said after his Pro Day performance. “From his 40 to the vertical jump, he did a great job testing, which we all anticipated. Great to see him back at 100%. Dealing with the adversity of last year and everything that he had to do to get back, just really proud of how he handled that process and ultimately how he performed today and set himself up to have a great draft day.”
Wide receiver Chris Brazzell II
Projected to be Heupel’s fifth wide receiver selected during his tenure with the Vols, Chris Brazzell has the potential to become one of the most explosive wideout alumni yet.
During his Pro Day, Brazzell ran a 40-yard dash that clocked in at 4.37 seconds, while standing at 6-foot-4, 198 pounds.
His 4.37 time was tied for ninth among receivers for fastest time, but at that height, Brazzell brings a lot of skill to the table. During his 2025 season, Brazzell posted 62 receptions for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns.
Brazzell projects as a day two pick, with the majority of mock drafts eyeing him as a late second to early third round pick, though there’s a chance he may slot up on boards.
Cornerback Colton Hood
Projected as a late first to early second round pick, Colton Hood marks as the second defensive back from the Vols, more than likely to land in the early goings of this week’s draft.
Hood, a transfer from Colorado, made his mark on the defense in McCoy’s absence. Hood posted 50 total tackles, eight pass deflections and an interception.
“He’s a smart, tough, relentless competitor that cares about the people around him,” Heupel said. “You look at his performance today, at the Combine, he’s setting himself up to have a great career.”
A player who has landed in the top 15 in mock drafts all the way to mid-second round projections, Hood will undoubtedly hear his name called — it’s just a matter of how soon.
Edge rusher Joshua Josephs
An impact player for the Tennessee defense since his sophomore season in 2023, Joshua Josephs has grown both physically and mentally as a player in four seasons with the Vols.
Now, Josephs heads to the draft with 9.5 career sacks. He also tallied 33 total tackles in his senior season with three forced fumbles.
In terms of what his game can be compared to, another former Tennessee Vol comes to mind.
“Definitely got to say Byron Young,” Josephs said. “Because if you watch him, from his first year to his most recent year, he’s progressively gotten better. Especially with the use of his hands.”
Josephs is projected to hear his name called during round three of the draft, with Reid’s ESPN seven-round mock landing Josephs with Jacksonville for pick 88.
Other draftables
The Vols will still have some more names called in the final rounds of the draft, including the chance of Joey Aguilar, Miles Kitselman, Tyre West and Bryson Eason.
Aguilar has been projected to be picked No. 236 by the Green Bay Packers, according to Chad Reuter’s seven-round mock for NFL.com, while West was projected to be picked No. 228 by the Jets in Dane Brugler’s seven-round Athletic draft.
In Reid’s ESPN seven-round draft, Eason landed pick No. 180 to the Cowboys, and while Kitselman is ranked according to PFF’s big board, he has not landed any projected spots.
It marks eight possible players that may have their name called over the weekend, as the players’ new journeys start Thursday night.
