The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft is officially in the rearview mirror and former Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt are still on the draft board heading into the second round.
Hooker was one of the big question marks entering the draft as experts had him mocked in both the first and the second rounds fairly consistently. Hyatt, on the other hand, was a fringe first-round player heading into the draft with more leaning toward a potential second-round projection.
In five mock drafts that Rocky Top Insider looked at throughout the final week, Hendon Hooker had projections at No. 16, No. 23, No. 30, No. 37, and No. 61.
More from RTI: Darnell Wright Becomes First Vol Drafted in the First Round
Quarterbacks were quickly taken off the board to begin the draft. Alabama’s Bryce Young led things off with a selection to the Carolina Panthers and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud followed quickly after with the second overall pick to the Houston Texans.
After the Texans traded for the third pick and took Alabama OLB Will Anderson Jr., the Colts surprised some by picking Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson over Kentucky quarterback Will Levis with the No. 4 overall pick.
The quick run on quarterbacks stopped with Richardson as both Levis and Hooker will have to wait until day two to hear their names called. Levis was in the main waiting room at the draft in Kansas City while Hendon Hooker was at a more comfortable location surrounded by friends and family.
It took a little while for the receivers to make their run, but it did happen toward the middle of the round. Four straight wide receivers were taken from No. 20 to No. 23 in the first round: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston, Zay Flowers, and Jordan Addison. Hyatt is expected to be selected at some point on Friday night, likely during the second round of action.
More from RTI: Last Minute Buzz on Tennessee’s NFL Draft Prospects
ESPN and ABC’s broadcasts showed Hooker’s setup throughout the night. The first shot had Hooker and head coach Josh Heupel speaking to one another on the couch. Then, a little later on, the camera showed Hooker flanked by former teammates Joe Milton III and Tyler Baron.
Earlier in the draft, Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright became the highest Volunteer drafted since Eric Berry in 2010 when the Chicago Bears selected him with the 10th overall pick. Wright joins former Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr in the Windy City after he was drafted in the third round of the 2022 draft.
The Vikings, Seahawks, Raiders, and Titans all could be potential landing spots for Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker in the second round. Jalin Hyatt, meanwhile, could very well land in Buffalo, Dallas, or with the New York Giants. There are still plenty of options remaining for the Tennessee players waiting to hear their names called.
The second and third rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft will take place on Friday, Apr. 28, at 7:00 p.m. ET.
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) April 28, 2023
