Tennessee defensive back Kamal Hadden declares for 2024 NFL Draft

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•12/17/23
Volquest Answers your Tennessee Football Recruiting Questions in this Week's Mailbag | Vols

Tennessee defensive back Kamal Hadden will enter the 2024 NFL Draft, he announced on his Twitter account on Sunday afternoon.

Hadden spent three years contributing for the Volunteers, where he racked up 87 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, six interceptions and 18 pass breakups.

“I will be entering my name into the 2024 NFL Draft,” Hadden wrote on Twitter. “Thank you Vol Nation. It’s been an honor to play in front of you and you will always be part of my journey.”

Hadden did, unfortunately, deal with injuries that cut his 2023 season short. He had to undergo shoulder surgery midway through the year.

Still, even in the shortened season Hadden managed to turn in a career-best three interceptions and 11 pass breakups, emerging as a top-notch defensive back.

Prior to enrolling at Tennessee, Hadden was a three-star prospect and the No. 24 overall JUCO prospect in the nation. He was the No. 4 JUCO cornerback and the No. 6 overall JUCO player in the state of Kansas, though he originally hailed from River Rouge (MI) River Rouge.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.