Live Updates: Following Vols' at the NFL Combine
The NFL Combine is underway in Indianapolis (Ind.) and several former Tennessee Volunteer standouts are set to compete over the nest few days. Volquest will share live updates as participants work through the combine. Tennessee is currently coming off of an 11-2 season which culminated with a victory in the Orange Bowl over Clemson, all of which the players participating this week at the combine played a vital role in that success.
Byron Young and Darnell Wright have already saw their stock increase this off-season, as they both had a strong week in front of scouts in Mobile (Ala.). Hendon Hooker was also invited to the event and spoke with teams throughout the week, so this will serve as a second opportunity for those guys to continue to climb boards. For Banks, Tillman, Hyatt and Brooks, this week will serve as a crucial part of their draft process.
Tennessee’s Cedric Tillman will be ‘a name people will be talking about’ after NFL Combine
Why Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt is a ‘high floor’ draft pick for NFL teams
How scouts are looking at Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker in the NFL Draft
Tennessee’s Byron Young posts blazing 40 time, insane numbers at NFL Combine
Participant List
EDGE- Byron Young
LB- Jeremy Banks
Punter- Paxton Brooks
WR- Jalin Hyatt
QB- Hendon Hooker (will not participate in drills)
Combine Schedule
Thursday, March 2nd- 3pm ET- Defensive Line/Linebackers
Friday, March 3rd- 3pm ET- Defensive backs
Saturday, March 4th- 1pm ET- Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Sunday, March 5th- 1pm ET- Offensive Line/Running Backs
How to Watch
If you want to watch the NFL Combine for yourself, there are several ways to do so. From your computer or phone, you can watch via the NFL Network. ESPN will have multiple shows dedicated throughout the week, featuring cover of the event, including NFL Live, which will air on ESPN each day and is live and on-site in Indianapolis.
Sunday Live Updates
Sunday will center around Darnell Wright, who many are giving an outside chance to move up into the top-50 of the Draft.
Wright has already measured in to start his day.
Darnell Wright Measurements
Ht- 6-5
Wt.- 333
Arm (length)- 33 3/4″
Hand size- 9″
Jalin Hyatt has measured in to get his day started.
Saturday Live Updates
There will be plenty of action in Indianpolis on Saturday. Darnell Wright has been at the podium this morning, while Cedric Tillman and Jalin Hyatt are set for their on-field workouts starting at 1 pm ET.
Jalin Hyatt’s official forty time on his first run came back at 4.40.
#Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker, who tore his ACL in November, received positive medical reports here in Indy, sources say. He's three months after the operation and on track to be ready for the season opener.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2023
Hyatt has one drop, but was near perfect on the straight line “Gauntlet” drill.
Hyatt made a nice grab over his shoulder in his first on-field rep. He drew high praise from the broadcasters.
Jalin Hyatt turned in a 4.42 on his second attempt. He now waits for official results which could see a jump.
.@Vol_Football WR Jalin Hyatt continues his strong day with a 4.41u.
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2023
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/TFbDH32kVr
Jalin Hyatt just posted a 40” vertical jump.
That’s a 4️⃣0️⃣.0️⃣ vertical for @jalinhyatt ❗️
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) March 4, 2023
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetworkpic.twitter.com/repSjTvcCX
Jalin Hyatt just hit an 11’3 broad jump.
🔥🔥🔥 @jalinhyatt with the 1️⃣1️⃣’3️⃣ broad!
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) March 4, 2023
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/PkmUkuQHcf
Cedric Tillman has now measured in to get his day started.
Cedric Tillman Measurements
Ht- 6′
Wt.- 176
Arm (length)- 32.5″
Hand size- 9″
Jalin Hyatt has measured in to get his day started.
Jalin Hyatt Measurements
Ht- 6-3
Wt.- 213
Arm (length)- 32 3/4″
Hand size- 10″
Jalin Hyatt
— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) March 4, 2023
Height: 6'
Weight: 176 pounds
Arm Length: 32 1/2"
Hand Size: 9"#RatedRookie | #NFLDraft
Former Tennessee OT Darnell Wright pulls out his phone to answer a question about how many teams he's met with.
— Andrew Gillis (@Andrew_Gillis70) March 4, 2023
Cincinnati was on that list, but it would've been more efficient if he just listed the teams who he hasn't met with. pic.twitter.com/EHm27tdOcQ
OL Darnell Wright says he has met with the #Eagles and discusses what he looks for in his next coach. @AATSports_ @AATBirds #NFLCombine2023 pic.twitter.com/uwSDMF9WoV
— Joe Castro (@PhillyPhillyTP) March 4, 2023
Here is Tennessee OT Darnell Wright breaking down how he approached matchups with Will Anderson and BJ Ojulari last season. Great stuff from one of the fastest risers in this class. pic.twitter.com/kV2XXb7Gni
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 4, 2023
Friday Live Updates
The combine is back underway in Indianapolis. Paxton Brooks is scheduled for his on-field work, while Jeremy Banks and Byron Young will both do the bench press (225lbs) workout.
Jeremy Banks repped 225 x25, while Byron Young repped 225 x22.
Hendon Hooker, Cedric Tillman, and Jalin Hyatt have been at the podium meeting with the media throughout the day, while going through other exams.So far they have addressed several topics, including Hooker’s injury, who they have met with and more.
Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker was asked about ppl saying he’s a product of an easy offense. He smiled and said “I can’t help that defenders can’t guard my receivers.”
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) March 3, 2023
Went on to explain some of the details of the offense and how there’s a lot more that goes into it: pic.twitter.com/pIvlbNaVCf
.@Vol_Football receiver @jalinhyatt was asked at the NFL Combine who is WR1 in this year’s draft class.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) March 3, 2023
He sells himself …
🎥 pic.twitter.com/F61c1vkmK0
Vols WR Cedric Tillman says he is 100% healthy right now and excited to test for teams this week pic.twitter.com/wb0HXfwFc8
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) March 3, 2023
Jalin Hyatt lit up when I asked him what he’s excited to prove in the NFL that he didn’t really get to show in Josh Heupel’s offense for the #Vols pic.twitter.com/5trhNRDAep
— Lucas Panzica (@lucaspanzica) March 3, 2023
Jalin Hyatt talks about what they saw on film to attack Alabama’s defense before a 5 TD, 200+ yard performance pic.twitter.com/xrb9IcCxbt
— Lucas Panzica (@lucaspanzica) March 3, 2023
Tennessee WR Cedric Tillman talks about his friendship with Velus Jones and overcoming the challenges of the NFL: pic.twitter.com/eUxVK0QuiG
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) March 3, 2023
#Vols WR Cedric Tillman on why he stayed at Tennessee in 2021 to play with Josh Heupel pic.twitter.com/y7UQvFpAAQ
— Lucas Panzica (@lucaspanzica) March 3, 2023
Thursday Live Updates
Today is finished for these guys. They will be back tomorrow for more interviews and the bench press. Paxton Brooks will have his kicking workout, while Cedric Tillman, Hendon Hooker, and Jalin Hyatt will have various interviews.
Jeremy Banks had solid reps during his bag drill workouts. His official 40-time also came in at 4.53 on his second run.
Tennessee LB Jeremy Banks
— NFL Combine Tracker (@CombineTracker) March 3, 2023
40: 4.53 (OFFICIAL)
Jeremy Banks had a strong wave drill, earning praise from the NFL Network broadcasters, but he did not catch the pass to finish out.
Jeremy Banks ran a 4.59 on his second 40-yard dash attempt. Next up for Bank will be his field drill work.
Jeremy Banks did not have a good run on his first attempt as he stumbled a couple of times and posted a 4.74 on his first try. He still has his second attempt.
🧵LB Vertical Jump at #NFLCombine:
— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) March 2, 2023
Anfernee Orji: 38.5"
Jack Campbell: 37.5"
Jeremy Banks: 37.5"
Yasir Abdullah: 36.5"
Owen Pappoe: 35.5"
Daiyan Henley: 35"
Dorian Williams: 33.5"
Cam Jones: 33"
Noah Sewell: 33"
Charlie Thomas: 32.5"
Henry To'oTo'o: 32"
Micah Baskerville: 31"
Jeremy Banks has now started testing. He posted a 37.5″ vertical jump and a 10’7″ broad jump.
Jeremy Banks Measurements
Ht- 6-1
Wt.- 232
Arm (length)- 32″
Hand size- 9 1/2″
Byron Young’s official 40-time came in at a 4.43. making him the second fasted EDGE in the Draft.
Fastest EDGE 40 times so far:
— Shane P. Hallam (@ShanePHallam) March 2, 2023
Nolan Smith: 4.39
Byron Young (TEN): 4.43
Robert Beal: 4.48
Adetomiwa Adebawore: 4.49
YaYa Diaby: 4.51
Isaiah Foskey: 4.58
Lukas Van Ness: 4.58
Nick Hampton: 4.58
Isaiah Land: 4.62
Young turned in nice outings in both of his bag drill workouts. He was praised by NFL Network broadcasters for his violent hands.
Byron Young will go through on-field drills next after impressing during the 40-yard dash. Young drew plenty of praise during his performance in the wave drill.
Young has posted a 4.51 forty yard dash on his first attempt. He followed this up with a 4.48 on his second 40-yard dash.
💨@byron_97 is MOVING ‼️
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) March 2, 2023
4.51 40 yard dash
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/gE7sjhDZB7
Byron Young from Tennessee. 4.48 (u) in 2nd attempt #NFLNetwork #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/XQbp6sZwsm
— Cody Winstead (@CodyWins25) March 2, 2023
Byron Young has posted a 38-inch vertical jump which is second only in the DL group to Nolan Smith. He posted a 11′ broad jump.
Byron Young Measurements
Ht- 6-2 3/8″
Wt.- 250
Arm (length)- 33 1/2″
Hand size- 9 1/4″