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Where Tennessee players land in ESPN's updated NFL mock draft

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Where Tennessee players land in ESPN's updated NFL mock draft


Where Tennessee players land in ESPN’s updated NFL mock draft

The 2025 NFL Draft gets underway on Thursday, April 24.

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Prior to that, ESPN has released its updated seven-round mock draft. This features multiple Tennessee standouts who are making the jump to the next level.

Here’s where they wound up.

TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM

James Pearce Jr.: 2nd Round – Pick 43 (49ers)

Although many mock drafts still have James Pearce Jr. going in the first round, ESPN has him slipping to the second.

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ESPN has Pearce going to the 49ers toward the top of the second round, though. This would put him on a team that is looking to get back to competing for a Super Bowl after a down year. It would also give him the chance to play on the other side of one of the best edge rushers in the league, Nick Bosa.

Pearce earns this high mark after being rated a four-star prospect by Rivals and the No. 160 player in the 2022 class. He played three years at Tennessee with his role growing in each season.

What ESPN said:

“The 49ers need edge help opposite Nick Bosa, and Pearce’s 19.0% pressure rate was second in the FBS last season. His draft stock is all over the place, with the scouts I’ve talked to having Pearce going off the board anywhere from the late teens to the late second round.”

Dylan Sampson: Round 3 – Pick 88 (Jaguars)

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ESPN is seemingly high on Dylan Sampson. while some have him slipping past the third round, they have him early in the third.

This makes Sampson the sixth-picked back on ESPN’s mock draft. With a running back heavy class, this is a pretty impressive spot to be in. He’d also join a Jaguars room with Travis Etienne. With Tank Bigsby as the No. 2 guy at the moment, it’d give Sampson the shot to play a lot as a rookie.

Sampson was a three-star prospect in the 2022 class out of Louisiana. He was the No. 9 all-purpose back and No. 21 player in the state. He played all three seasons with the Vols and set the program single-season rushing yard record at 1,491 and single-season touchdown record at 22.

What ESPN said:

“With Travis Etienne Jr. in the final year of his contract, this would be a good place to pick Sampson. He’s an efficient zone runner with excellent contact balance.”

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Omarr Norman-Lott: Round 3 – Pick 97 (Vikings)

The next pick out of Tennessee is projected to be defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott. Another player who has the upside to be picked higher, a third-round selection would still be an impressive mark.

The Vikings have good defensive tackles at the top of the depth chart, but Norman-Lott could slide in to be a key piece in the rotation. Coming from the Vols who rotated a lot, he could be predisposed to being comfortable in this role.

Norman-Lott was a four-star in the 2020 class out of Sacramento, California. He was the No. 30 player in the state. He began his career at Arizona State before playing his final two years with the Vols.

What ESPN said:

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“The Vikings signed defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, but Norman-Lott would provide young depth along the defensive line as a designated pass rusher.”

Dont’e Thornton Jr.: Round 5 – Pick 141 (Titans)

In the fifth round, ESPN has Dont’e Thornton Jr. being taken off the board. He has a high ceiling but is a bit of a project player as he showed flashes with Tennessee but couldn’t find much consistency.

Thornton has top-end speed and elite size making him intriguing to many NFL teams, though. ESPN has the former Vol staying in the state of Tennessee. There, he would join a depleted wide receiver room with the chance to impress early.

Out of Baltimore, Thornton was a four-star prospect and No. 62 player in the 2021 class. Ranked as the No. 9 receiver in the class, he played at Oregon before finishing career with two years at Tennessee.

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Bru McCoy: Undrafted

In ESPN’s previous edition of the seven-round mock draft, it had Bru McCoy going in the fifth round. However, he slipped out of the list of projected picks less than a week before the draft begins.

McCoy brings a physicality a lot of receivers don’t have. If things go well, he could play a similar role to what Jauan Jennings, another former Vol, brings to the 49ers.

He was a five-star prospect out of high school and the No. 12 overall player in the 2019 class. He initially signed with Texas before joining USC and ultimately finishing his career at Tennessee for three seasons.



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Three NFL Draft Fits for Tennessee Football Cornerback Jermod McCoy

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Three NFL Draft Fits for Tennessee Football Cornerback Jermod McCoy


Tennessee football star Jermod McCoy is the player who will likely hear his name called first from the Tennessee program in the upcoming NFL Draft. There are many teams he would fit well, but these three teams are the teams I believe he is the best fit with at this moment.

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1. Dallas Cowboys

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (DB20) speaks to media members during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a cornerback in the draft class, and they are likely to spend one of their first two picks on one. They are selecting at No. 12 and No. 20 in the draft as of now, and McCoy could hear his name called. He would be joining a decent group of cornerbacks, but he would be an immediate starter, likely alongside a later selection that they make with a cornerback.

It would be shocking if the Cowboys pass on him if they select at 12 and he is still on the board. McCoy would be an immediate starter and would be someone who could shut down a whole side of the field for the Cowboys early in his career.

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2. Miami Dolphins

Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) jogs during warm-ups before a NCAA football game between Tennessee Volunteers and New Mexico State Aggies at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 15, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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The Miami Dolphins is one of the better fits for Jermod McCoy, and it would make the most sense, as the Dolphins could use almost every position after a major haul of their players. They are in a major rebuilding phase and drafting at No. 11 leaves many to believe that McCoy could be in play.

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McCoy would likely be their No. 1 cornerbakc the day he got to the franchise, and would have the chance to dominate the way he did in his one season on the field with the Vols. This selection would depend on who drops out of the first ten selections. If he is one of the better players remaining (highly likely) he very well could hear his name called at pick 11.

3. New York Jets

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Jermod McCoy runs during Tennessee Football Pro Day 2026, at University of Tennessee on March 31, 2026. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The New York Jets have the chance to be very good when it comes to the draft, as they are drafting at both No. 2 and No. 16. I believe they will be looking to get a cornerback with their No. 16 pick, which would make a lot of sense considering they had to get rid of Sauce Gardner.

McCoy would be the perfect replacement, as they could find themselves in one of the better situations on the defensive side of the football. He can shutdown a side of the field, and I would bet that he would be a great fit with the Jets because of that exactly.

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Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children

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Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — At a ballpark built for noise, there is space for something quieter.

During the Nashville Sounds’ “Beyond the Label Day,” kids are learning, playing and experiencing baseball in a way that works for them. Autism Tennessee volunteers stepped in to guide kids through sensory play designed to calm and focus.

From spinning toys to textured fidgets, these tools help turn overwhelming moments into manageable ones. Children engaged with the activities, pointing out shapes like a circle, noticing items like candies, and expressing how nice the experience was.

Adam English, general manager of the Nashville Sounds, said making space for everyone is the goal, even as the stadium announcer calls another Sounds strikeout.

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“It’s important for us to raise awareness about autism, but also just make sure that First Horizon Park is an inclusive place for everybody” English said.

The Sounds stadium even has a sensory room for families at every game.

“There’s huge baseball fans that sometimes shy away because of loud crowds and we want to make sure every game out here available” English said.

For Autism Tennessee leaders like Jessica Moore, days like this are about more than awareness. They are about belonging.

“Typically events like this can be super overwhelming… so this is just a way for people to feel like they can come and still be successful” Moore said.

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What are your thoughts on making sports venues more inclusive for all fans? Watch the video to see the sensory room in action, and share your experiences with me at kim.rafferty@NewsChannel5.com.

In this article, we used artificial intelligence to help us convert a video news report originally written by Kim Rafferty. When using this tool, both Kim Rafferty and the NewsChannel 5 editorial team verified all the facts in the article to make sure it is fair and accurate before we published it. We care about your trust in us and where you get your news, and using this tool allows us to convert our news coverage into different formats so we can quickly reach you where you like to consume information. It also lets our journalists spend more time looking into your story ideas, listening to you and digging into the stories that matter.

Checking in on Cole: Gallatin rallies around teen battling brain tumor with prayer vigil

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Austin Pollack brings us an update on a remarkable young man facing great odds, and his family has one simple request: pray for Cole. I believe in the power of prayer and hope you’ll join me in lifting up Cole and his family.

– Carrie Sharp





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Tennessee baseball vs Ole Miss score, live updates, start time, Game 3

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Tennessee baseball vs Ole Miss score, live updates, start time, Game 3


Tennessee baseball will look to salvage the final game of the SEC series against Ole Miss.

The Vols (25-14, 7-10 SEC) play Game against the No. 23 Rebels (29-11, 10-7) on April 19 (1 p.m. ET, SEC Network+) at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Ole Miss has been on a roll. The 8-1 win on April 18 against the Vols moved the Rebels to eight straight wins. It got an ace-level start from Cade Townsend and a grand slam from Tristan Bissetta to secure Game 2.

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Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.16 ERA) will start for the Rebels. Evan Blanco (3-2, 3.67 ERA) will be on the mound for Tennessee.

Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss live updates

What channel is Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss on today?

  • TV channel: SEC Network+
  • Live stream: ESPN app

Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss game times

  • Game 3: April 19 (1 p.m. ET)

Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss probable pitchers

  • Tennessee: LHP Evan Blanco (3-2, 3.67 ERA)
  • Ole Miss: RHP Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.16 ERA)



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