Tennessee’s trio of drafted players will don new numbers during their rookie season in the National Football League.
Jaylen Wright, who wore No. 20 and No. 0 for the Vols during his three-year career in Knoxville, will wear jersey No. 25 according to The Palm Beach Post’s Joe Schad. Numbers are subject to change, though, just like going from spring ball to fall ball at the collegiate level.
Wright was taken by the Dolphins with the 120th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft as Tennessee’s first player off the board. Wright joins a Miami offense that resembles Josh Heupel’s offense with the up-tempo, fast-paced, speed-based playcalling. The former Vol should fit right in.
Jaylen Wright
- Southern Durham High School: No. 12
- Tennessee (2021-2022): No. 20
- Tennessee (2023): No. 0
- Miami Dolphins: No. 25
The New England Patriots announced that quarterback Joe Milton will wear the No. 19 jersey while fellow quarterback draftee Drake Maye will wear No. 10.
Milton wore No. 7 at Olympia High School before switching to No. 5 during his three-year stint at Michigan. When Milton arrived to Tennessee before the 2021 season, though, he switched to No. 7.
Milton was selected by the Patriots with the No. 193 overall pick in the sixth round of the draft.
Joe Milton III
- Olympia High School: No. 7
- Michigan (2018-2020): No. 5
- Tennessee (2021-2023): No. 7
- New England Patriots: No. 19
Draft pick digits. pic.twitter.com/JeFlzRxedx
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 10, 2024
Former Tennessee cornerback Kamal Hadden will be returning to a high school number for his first year with the Kansas City Chiefs. Hadden, selected with the No. 211 overall pick, will wear the No. 17 according to John Dillon of ChiefsWire. Hadden wore both No. 7 and No. 17 in high school, No. 29 at community college, and No. 13/No. 5 during his three years at Tennessee.
Hadden is only the fourth non-receiver to wear the No. 17 in Kansas City, which was last worn by former Georgia Bulldogs WR Mecole Hardman.
Kamal Hadden
- River Rouge High School: No. 17/No. 7
- Independence Community College (2019): No. 29
- Tennessee (2021-2022): No. 13
- Tennessee (2023): No. 5
- Kansas City Chiefs: No. 17
