Only two former Vols – cornerback Justin Coleman and linebacker A.J. Johnson – were initially invited to the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine, being held right now in Indianapolis. Johnson later had his invitation rescinded by the NFL after being indicted last week on a rape charge.
That means Coleman will be UT’s lone representative, marking one of the lowest turnouts for the Vols in recent history. A late-round-to-free agent prospect, Coleman isn’t guaranteed to get picked, and Johnson’s status is tenuous at best right now, leaving at least the possibility of having no Tennessee players drafted – something that hasn’t happened since 1963.
But while this year’s Combine and Draft will be light on UT flavor, that likely won’t be the case the next few seasons. Tennessee’s overall influx of young talent will soon be in position to think about the NFL – whether that’s after exhausting eligibility with the Vols or declaring early for the NFL Draft.
Here’s a look at some 2016 draft-eligible UT names that could easily be in the Combine this time next year.
