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VFLs in the NFL: Season in review for former Tennessee standouts

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VFLs in the NFL: Season in review for former Tennessee standouts


VFLs in the NFL: Season in review for former Tennessee standouts

The NFL regular season is over and the playoffs are about to be underway.

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This marks the end for some former Tennessee standouts while others continue the hunt for a Super Bowl.

Here is how each former Vol performed this year.

TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM

Trey Smith (OG) – Chiefs

The lone Pro Bowler out of Tennessee this year is Smith. The Chiefs’ starting right guard, Smith produced a PFF grade of 78.8. This was the sixth-best on Kansas City. The Chiefs are now the 1-seed in the AFC.

Alvin Kamara (RB) – Saints

In 14 games, Kamara was a workhouse like usual for the Saints. He hit 6,779 rushing yards which is the franchise record. His final line on the year was 950 rushing yards and six touchdowns with 68 receptions for 543 yards and two touchdowns.

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Jauan Jennings (WR) – 49ers

Jennings had a breakout year for the 49ers. With injuries decimating the wide receiver room, Jennings stepped up to produce 975 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 15 games played.

Darnell Wright (OT) – Bears

A former top-10 pick in his second year with the Bears, Wright was Chicago’s starter at right tackle. He finished the year with a PFF grade of 62.4.

Byron Young (OLB) – Rams

After an elite rookie year, Young continued his effective play as a sophomore. He finished with 62 tackles and 7.5 sacks with a forced fumble. Los Angeles won its division and is in the playoffs.

Joshua Palmer (WR) – Chargers

While battling through injury and appearing in just 15 games, Palmer had another solid year. He posted 39 catches for 584 yards and a touchdown with the Chargers who made a push to the playoffs.

Alontae Taylor (CB) – Saints

Emerging as one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL, Taylor had another year of personal success. On a bad Saints team, he managed 89 tackles, two forced fumbles and 16 passes defended. This came in appearances in all 17 games.

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Cedric Tillman (WR) – Browns

Before injury derailed his breakout season, Tillman was hitting his stride with the Browns. He put up 339 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games during his second year.

Derek Barnett (DE) – Texans

Capping off the season with a scoop-and-score touchdown, Barnett appeared in 16 games in his second year with the Texans. He produced 26 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles.

Jaylen McCollough (S) – Rams

McCollough ended up possibly being the best undrafted free agent in the class. In his rookie year, he was a big part of the playoff-bound Rams’ defense where he contributed 43 tackles and four interceptions.

Darrell Taylor (DE) – Bears

In his first year with the Bears, Taylor had another productive year. With Chicago, he produced 32 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

Shy Tuttle (DT) – Panthers

In year two with the Panthers, Tuttle appeared in 15 games. He posted 46 tackles and forced a fumble.

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Cade Mays (C) – Panthers

Mays made nine appearances and eight starts, all at center. He was given a PFF grade of 66.1 on the year.

Jaylen Wright (RB) – Dolphins

In his rookie year, Wright was a bit buried on the depth chart. He still put up 249 yards on 68 carries with the Dolphins.

Cordarrelle Patterson (RB) – Steelers

In his first year with the Steelers, Patterson saw as little run as he’s seen in his long career. He rushed the ball 32 times for 135 yards. He also caught 12 passes for 80. Pittsburgh earned a wildcard spot.

Hendon Hooker (QB) – Lions

Hooker played the role of Jared Goff’s backup this year in his first year fully healthy. He posted 62 passing yards in relief. Detroit is the top seed in the NFC.

Joe Milton III (QB) – Patriots

Milton didn’t play in a single game until the final one of the year. In a game that would’ve gave the Patriots the No. 1 overall pick with a loss, Milton led New England to a win with 241 passing yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 16 yards and a score on 10 carries.

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Joshua Dobbs (QB) – 49ers

Dobbs carved out a role as a career backup and continued it with the 49ers. He posted 361 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while making one start.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin (LB) – Lions

Considered one of the best special teamers in the NFL, Reeves-Maybin also is a reserve linebacker for the Lions. He posted 14 tackles and a forced fumble for the top NFC team in the conference.

Jalin Hyatt (WR) – Giants

It’s been tough sledding for Hyatt in his early career. In year two, he caught eight passes for 62 yards in limited action.

Theo Jackson (S) – Vikings

On the top wildcard team in the NFC, Jackson is a reserve safety for the Vikings. He earned 17 tackles and an interception in his third year.

Morgan Cox (LS) – Titans

Cox wasn’t able to reach his sixth Pro Bowl but he had another impressive season as Tennessee’s long snapper.

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John Kelly Jr. (RB) – Browns

Kelly was a member of the Browns’ active roster but did not record any stats this season. He also played two games with the Ravens.

Velus Jones Jr. (WR) – Panthers

After being let go by the Bears, Jones found a new home with the Panthers. He caught one pass for eight yards.

Dee Williams (PR/KR) – Giants

Williams began the year as the Seahawks’ returner but costly mistakes put him back on the market. The Giants scooped him up off waivers.

Ramel Keyton (WR) – Raiders

As an undrafted free agent, Keyton earned a spot on the Raiders’ active roster. He caught one pass for seven yards as a rookie.

Emmanuel Moseley (CB) – Lions

Moseley missed the season on the non-football injury list.

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Princeton Fant (TE) – Cowboys

Fant spent a lot of time on the practice squad but was on the active roster by the end of the year. He did not record any stats.

Michael Palardy (P) – Cardinals

Palardy revived his career with the Cardinals at the end of the year. In four games, he had a long of 54 yards and downed one punt inside the 20 in 13 attempts.

Matthew Butler (DT) – Raiders

Butler appeared in seven games with the Raiders this year. He produced nine tackles.

Micah Abernathy (S) – Falcons

Aberthany appeared in six games where he made three tackles with the Falcons.

Cameron Sutton (CB) – Steelers

After an alleged domestic violence led to a warrant issued for his arrest, Sutton was cut by the Lions while not turning himself in to police. He eventually turned himself in and was charged with misdemeanor battery. The Steelers signed him and he contributed 15 tackles and three passes defended.

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Practice Squad

– Kamal Hadden (CB) – Packers

– Jerome Carvin (OG) – Jaguars

– McCallan Castles (TE) – Chargers

– Marquez Callaway (WR) – Buccaneers

– Gabe Jeudy-Lally (CB) – Titans

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– Jabari Small (RB) – Titans



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Tennessee Senate passes ‘CVS bill,’ reshapes pharmacy business as CVS threatens closures

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Tennessee Senate passes ‘CVS bill,’ reshapes pharmacy business as CVS threatens closures


A bill moving through the Tennessee Legislature could reshape how pharmacies do business in the state, with CVS warning it could lead to widespread store closures.

The Tennessee Senate has passed legislation that would change the way pharmacies can operate. The proposal has been dubbed “the CVS bill” because it directly impacts the drugstore chain.

Under the bill, drugstores would no longer be allowed to negotiate prices directly with insurance providers or government programs. Instead, a third party would be required to step in.

The bill is now under debate in the House. CVS says the change would force more than 100 of its pharmacies to close across Tennessee, but lawmakers disagree.

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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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