Tennessee
2024 NFL Draft: Tennessee Titans Need a Left Tackle; If Not Notre Dame Giant Joe Alt, Then Who?
NASHVILLE — Desperate for a franchise left tackle, the Tennessee Titans have options if they choose to address that position of need with the No. 7 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Most mock drafts so far have the Titans picking Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt, considered by most experts as the top tackle in the draft. But what if the Los Angeles Chargers, two picks ahead of Tennessee at No. 5, take Alt? What if the Titans trade down and add draft picks?
As it happens, offensive tackle is one of the deepest positions in the draft, with most draft boards predicting from five to seven tackles selected in the first round. If Alt is gone, the Titans might consider Alabama’s JC Latham, another favorite in mock drafts, or Georgia’s Amarius Mims.
It’s no secret the Titans need better pass protection. General manager Ran Carthon has already added reinforcements in free agency — wide receiver Calvin Ridley, running back Tony Pollard, center Lloyd Cushenberry — to support second-year quarterback Levis. But he still needs a big guy who has his back. Is that Joe Alt or someone else?
Here’s a list of some of the best tackles available in April 25-27 draft.
Joe Alt
Notre Dame
Height: 6-9
Weight: 321
Details: Pro Football Focus (PFF), the sports analytics platform that evaluates every player and every play, graded Alt 90.7 last season and 91.4 the previous season. In 2023, he allowed one sack, two quarterback hits, and two hurries on 368 passing snaps for the Irish. Alt is the No. 5-ranked player — for all positions — on PFF’s draft board.
Projected round: first.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu
Penn State
Height: 6-6
Weight: 319
Details: According to Pro Football Focus, Fashanu allowed no sacks and only 10 pressures on 382 passing snaps last season. He was a consensus first-team All-American last season and was the Big Ten offensive lineman of the year. Fashanu is No. 18 on PFF’s overall draft board.
Projected round: first.
Taliese Fuaga
Oregon State
Height: 6-6
Weight: 332
Details: “Fuaga’s hand work is exceptional in pass pro and will need to remain so, because of his lack of desired range for recovering when beaten,” Lance Zierlein said on NFL.com. “A team could slide him to guard to improve its interior protection, but he’s best-suited at right tackle, where he should become a good starter.” Fuaga is No. 12 on PFF’s overall draft board.
Projected round: first.
Troy Fautanu
Washington
Height: 6-4
Weight: 317
Details: Fautanu allowed three sacks in his college career on 1,255 pass-blocking snaps. Experts believe his flexibility, agility, and coordination make him capable of playing all five offensive line positions. Fautanu is No. 14 on PFF’s overall draft board.
Projected round: first.
JC Latham
Alabama
Height: 6-6
Weight: 360
Details: “Latham is in the mold of an offensive lineman who does not come around often,” Pro Football Focus wrote. “He will be just 21 during his rookie season, yet he has two years of starting experience in the SEC. Despite drawing 18 penalties over the past two years and having room to improve in some anticipation parts of the position, Latham is a first-round trench player due to his rare combination of size, speed and refinement.” Latham is No. 19 on PFF’s overall draft board.
Projected round: first.
Amarius Mims
Georgia
Height: 6-7
Weight: 340
Details: “It is very rare to see him clearly beaten by a rusher, and he has the recovery talent to do something about it when it happens,” Zierlein wrote on NFL.com. “Mims has more development to go, but he’s a Day 1 prospect with the traits and talent to be considered at either tackle position. He has a high ceiling, but questions due to his lack of experience could temper early expectations.” Mims is No. 22 on PFF’s overall draft board.
Projected round: first.
Tyler Guyton
Oklahoma
Height: 6-7
Weight: 328
Details: “Guyton is a young, inexperienced and green tackle prospect with elite physical tools and flashes of dominance that can get him on the field right away,” said Bleacher Report’s NFL scouting department. “He can eventually bloom into a high-end starter in the NFL, but he will need to be brought along slowly in a conservative scheme and veteran O-line room before bridging that gap.” Guyton is No. 30 on PFF’s overall draft board.
Projected round: late first or second.
Graham Barton
Duke
Height: 6-5
Weight: 314
Details: “He has a mean streak in the run game with the leg drive to bury defenders,” PFF wrote. “He is a good athlete off the ball and in space to be a successful second-level blocker. Barton struggles against power and will need to improve his anchor against interior defenders. He is experienced at tackle, but his foot speed and length are issues there.” Barton is No. 25 on PFF’s overall draft board.
Projected round: late first or second.
Jordan Morgan
Arizona
Height: 6-5
Weight: 312
Details: “He’s an elite athlete with impeccable leveraging skills, balance, and bend — and he didn’t lose any mobility in 2023 after returning from an ACL tear. There are still areas where Morgan can improve,” Pro Football Network wrote. “He’s still fleshing out his run-blocking arsenal past pure zone concepts. Meanwhile, as a pass protector, he’s still learning how to win and recover with independent hand usage, and his non-elite length limits his margin for error.” Morgan is No. 40 on PFF’s overall draft board.
Projected round: late first or second.
Kingsley Suamataia
Brigham Young
Height: 6-4
Weight: 333
Details: “Suamataia has the physical tools of a starting tackle with an unrefined skill set that is built on flashes rather than proven consistency,” Bleacher Report’s Brandon Thorn wrote. “But he’ll be only 21 when he gets drafted, and he has the runway to add polish to his game and bridge that gap within his first contract in an RPO/play-action based system that can help bring him along slowly.” Suamataia is No. 45 on PFF’s overall draft board.
Projected round: late first or second.
Related Titans stories
- REBUILD ON FAST TRACK: The Tennessee Titans have “needs all over the field, so credit to GM Ran Carthon for recognizing the deficiencies and addressing them decisively in his first year without former coach Mike Vrabel,” Jeremy Fowler wrote on ESPN.com. CLICK HERE
- NEW FACES IN AFC SOUTH: The free-agent market is still open. The NFL Draft is April 25-27. The Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans have been trading haymakers with their significant player acquisitions. CLICK HERE
- LEARNING CURVE ON KICKOFFS: The NFL changed its kickoff rules to encourage more returns. Tennessee Titans GM Ran Carthon says “the preseason is going to be very important for us … to figure out how we’re going to be able to execute that play for us to start the game, because it’s really going to be the first offensive snap.” CLICK HERE
Tennessee
Vanderbilt Basketball Guard Leaves Program Ahead of Tennessee Matchup – Knoxville Today
Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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Vanderbilt basketball guard Frankie Collins is leaving the program, head coach Mark Byington announced on Tuesday night. The news comes just days before the Commodores are set to face off against Tennessee in the regular season finale, with the Volunteers looking to clinch a top-four seed and double-bye in the SEC Tournament.
Why it matters
Collins was Vanderbilt’s most highly touted transfer last offseason, but injuries limited him to just nine games this season. His departure leaves the Commodores shorthanded heading into a crucial matchup against their in-state rival Tennessee, who are seeking to complete a regular season sweep.
The details
The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 7.8 points, 4.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game this season, but suffered a meniscus injury in December that sidelined him for the majority of the year. With the emergence of sophomore point guard Tyler Tanner and Oklahoma transfer Duke Miles, Collins never quite found his footing in the Vanderbilt lineup.
- Frankie Collins left the Vanderbilt program on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
- Vanderbilt is scheduled to face Tennessee on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
The players
Frankie Collins
A 6-foot-1 guard who was Vanderbilt’s most highly touted transfer last offseason, coming to Nashville after spending the 2024-25 season at TCU and the three prior years at Arizona State and Michigan.
Mark Byington
The head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores basketball team.
Tyler Tanner
The sophomore point guard who emerged as a key player for Vanderbilt this season.
Duke Miles
An Oklahoma transfer shooting guard who joined the Vanderbilt roster this season.
Rick Barnes
The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team.
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What they’re saying
“Frankie has left Nashville, and he’s not gonna be on the team. It’s gonna be good for both sides of it. We wish him well. So we’ll roll with the guys we got.”
— Mark Byington, Head Coach, Vanderbilt Commodores (rockytopinsider.com)
What’s next
With a victory over Vanderbilt, Tennessee will clinch a top four-seed and a double-bye in next week’s SEC Tournament. Vanderbilt could potentially earn a double-bye themselves with a win and a little extra help.
The takeaway
The loss of Frankie Collins leaves Vanderbilt shorthanded heading into a crucial matchup against in-state rival Tennessee, who are seeking to complete a regular season sweep. The Commodores will have to rely on the emergence of players like Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles to try and pull off the upset and keep their own postseason hopes alive.
Tennessee
Tennessee Lands Three in Top 60 Picks of ESPN’s Post-Combine Mock Draft – Atlanta Today
Published on Mar. 3, 2026
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According to ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft, three former Tennessee Volunteers players are projected to be selected in the top 60 picks of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood are both projected to be first-round picks, while wide receiver Chris Brazzell II is projected to be a second-round selection.
Why it matters
The strong NFL Draft projections for Tennessee players highlight the continued talent development and success of the Volunteers football program under head coach Josh Heupel. If these projections hold true, it would mark the first time Tennessee has had two first-round picks and three players selected in the top 60 overall during Heupel’s tenure.
The details
Cornerback Jermod McCoy is projected to be selected 29th overall by the Los Angeles Rams, despite not participating in on-field workouts at the NFL Combine due to a previous ACL injury. Teammate Colton Hood is projected to be the final pick of the first round, going 32nd overall to the Seattle Seahawks. Wide receiver Chris Brazzell II impressed at the Combine with a 4.37 40-yard dash and is projected to be a second-round pick, going 60th overall to the Buffalo Bills.
- The NFL Combine was held in late February 2026.
- Tennessee’s Pro Day workouts are scheduled for the end of March 2026.
- The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April-May 2026.
The players
Jermod McCoy
A cornerback for the Tennessee Volunteers who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, despite missing the 2025 season due to an ACL injury.
Colton Hood
A cornerback for the Tennessee Volunteers who is projected to be a first-round pick, going 32nd overall to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Chris Brazzell II
A wide receiver for the Tennessee Volunteers who impressed at the NFL Combine with a 4.37 40-yard dash and is projected to be a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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What they’re saying
“If we’re going strictly by talent, McCoy is a top-10 prospect in this class. But he hasn’t played a game since 2024, missing all of last season after suffering an ACL tear in January 2025. We’re still not sure where he’s at in his recovery, as he did not participate in testing or drills at the combine. This gives the Rams — who haven’t drafted a corner in the first round since 2006 or before Day 3 since 2019 — the potential to get a steal here. McCoy is an easy mover who has squeaky-clean technique.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
“The reigning champions have a clear need at corner, as Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen are both scheduled to be free agents. Hood is a scheme-versatile player who can thrive in press man while also having the fluidity to excel in zone. A former all-state center fielder in high school, Hood’s ball skills frequently show up on tape (10 pass breakups and an interception last season). With his poised technique and wrap-up-and-finish tackling, he would fit well on the outside of Mike Macdonald’s secondary.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
“The Bills need someone who can separate on the outside, and Brazzell is an ‘X’ receiver who can be a deep vertical threat. He can also sink his weight and run a true route tree, making him a good fit with quarterback Josh Allen.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
What’s next
Tennessee’s Pro Day workouts are scheduled for the end of March 2026, where McCoy plans to participate in on-field drills to further showcase his recovery from the ACL injury. Strong performances at the Pro Day could potentially push McCoy back up draft boards into the top half of the first round.
The takeaway
The strong NFL Draft projections for Tennessee players demonstrate the continued talent development and success of the Volunteers football program under head coach Josh Heupel. If these projections hold true, it would mark a significant milestone for the program, with Tennessee potentially having two first-round picks and three players selected in the top 60 overall for the first time during Heupel’s tenure.
Tennessee
Big Orange Caravan to hit Kingsport April 30th
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WCYB) — Tennessee Athletics’ “Big Orange Caravan” presented by Pilot will roll into the Tri-Cities on April 30, bringing some of the university’s most recognizable faces to Kingsport.
The statewide tour, a collaboration between Tennessee Athletics and the UT Knoxville Office of Alumni Affairs, features Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White, men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes, women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell, head football coach Josh Heupel and “Voice of the Vols” Mike Keith.
The Tri-Cities stop is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, at Meadowview Convention Center, 1901 Meadowview Parkway, Kingsport, Tennessee. Doors open at 5 p.m., followed by a meet-and-greet session with the headliners from 5:30-6:15 p.m. The program begins at 6:15 p.m.
Hosted by Keith, the evening will include stories, program insight and a question-and-answer session with Tennessee’s athletics leaders and coaches. The UT Spirit Squads also will be in attendance.
Tickets are $30, plus taxes and fees, and include light food options. A cash bar, along with additional light food and appetizers, will be available.
Of each ticket sold, $5 will benefit the local UT Alumni chapter’s scholarship endowment and $10 will go toward the My All Campaign.
The Tri-Cities event is the final stop of the three-city spring tour. The caravan opens in Chattanooga on April 28 before heading to Nashville on April 29. As announced last spring, Chattanooga and Memphis will alternate as tour stops each year.
The Big Orange Caravan is designed to connect Tennessee coaches and administrators with fans across the state, offering behind-the-scenes insight and celebrating the support of the Volunteer community.
Tickets for the Tri-Cities stop can be purchased at https://www.gofevo.com/event/BOCTriCities26
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