5. Corey Vereen
One Tennessee defensive end, Derek Barnett, is one sack away from being the all-time sack leader in Vol history. But his teammate, Corey Vereen, needs a solid bowl performance much more than Barnett.
Regardless of how Barnett’s Music City Bowl game goes, he’ll be a top 10 pick in this upcoming NFL Draft. Vereen, however, doesn’t have that kind of guarantee. Vereen has put in a career year in his senior year this season, registering a career-high six sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss in 12 games this year. Not only has he been productive, but he’s shown he can be durable and keep himself healthy in a year where the Vols suffered a plethora of injuries.
Vereen’s draft stock has undoubtedly risen this season, and a strong bowl game would only help his chances of getting drafted in April.
