Four Tennessee products receive invitation to NFL draft combine

NFL draft combine invitations went out this week, and Tennessee will be well-represented. Four Volunteers prospects will be in Indianapolis next month for the event.

Defensive back Alontae Taylor, offensive lineman Cade Mays, defensive lineman Matthew Butler and wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. will all participate in the combine, which runs March 1-7 in Indianapolis. The four were key contributors for the Vols this season as they went 7-6 to earn a Music City Bowl appearance.

A fourth team All-SEC nominee, Taylor had 60 tackles and two interceptions this season, including a pick-six against Kentucky. It was by far the best statistical year of his four years in Knoxville and it put him in position for a combine invitation.

Jones was a top-10 receiver in the SEC this year, catching 62 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns to lead the Vols receiving room this season. He also did work on special teams, leading the league with 272 punt return yards and 628 kickoff return yards this season. That earned him SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year honors with Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams.

Butler increased his stock at the Shrine Bowl this week after totaling 47 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks for Tennessee this season. ESPN’s Jordan Reid described Butler as “the best player at the event” and said he had a strong showing in practices.

Mays started 10 games for Tennessee this year and earned second team All-SEC honors. He played all four offensive line positions over his career for the Vols.

The NFL Combine runs March 1-7 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, featuring 324 prospects from across college football — including plenty of talent from the SEC.

2022 NFL Scouting Combine: Invited prospects from SEC revealed, including four Tennessee players

Here’s who will represent the SEC at this year’s combine.

Alabama Crimson Tide (11)

• Christopher Allen, LB
• Jalyn Armour-Davis, DB
• Slade Bolden, WR
• Christian Harris, LB
• Joshua Jobe, DB
• Phidarian Mathis, DL
• John Metchie, WR
• Evan Neal, OL
• LaBryan Ray, DL
• Brian Robinson, RB
• Jameson Williams, WR

Arkansas Razorbacks (5)

• Montaric Brown, DB
• Treylon Burks, WR
• Myron Cunningham, OL
• John Ridgeway, DL
• Tre Williams, LB

Auburn Tigers (3)

• Zakoby McClain, LB
• Roger McCreary, DB
• Smoke Monday, DB

Florida Gators (4)

• Zach Carter, DL
• Kaiir Elam, DB
• Jeremiah Moon, LB
• Dameon Pierce, RB

Georgia Bulldogs (14)

• Jake Camarda, P
• Lewis Cine, DB
• James Cook, RB
• Jordan Davis, DL
• Nakobe Dean, LB
• Derion Kendrick, DB
• George Pickens, WR
• Jamaree Salyer, OL
• Justin Shaffer, OL
• Channing Tindall, LB
• Quay Walker, LB
• Travon Walker, DL
• Zamir White, RB
• Devonte Wyatt, DL

Kentucky Wildcats (7)

• Yusuf Corker, DB
• Luke Fortner, OL
• Darian Kinnard, OL
• Marquan McCall, DL
• Joshua Paschal, DL
• Wan’Dale Robinson, WR
• Dare Rosenthal, OL

LSU Tigers (9)

• Damone Clark, LB
• Ty Davis-Price, RB
• Austin Deculus, OL
• Neil Farrell, DL
• Cordale Flott, DB
• Chasen Hines, OL
• Ed Ingram, OL
• Derek Stingley Jr., DB
• Cade York, K

Mississippi State Bulldogs (3)

• Charles Cross, OL
• MJ Emerson, DB
• Makai Polk, WR

Missouri Tigers (2)

• Tyler Badie, RB
• Akayleb Evans, DB

Ole Miss Rebels (8)

• Ben Brown, OL
• Chance Campbell, LB
• Snoop Conner, RB
• Matt Corral, QB
• Dontario Drummond, WR
• Jerrion Ealy, RB
• Braylon Sanders, WR
• Sam Williams, DL

South Carolina Gamecocks (3)

• Kingsley Enagbare, DL
• Kevin Harris, RB
• ZaQuandre White, RB

Tennessee Volunteers (4)

• Matthew Butler, DL
• Velus Jones, WR
• Cade Mays, OL
• Alontae Taylor, DB

Texas A&M Aggies (9)

• Micheal Clemons, DL
• Kenyon Green, OL
• Aaron Hansford, LB
• Tyree Johnson, DL
• DeMarvin Leal, DL
• Leon O’Neal, DB
• Jayden Peevy, DL
• Isaiah Spiller, RB
• Jalen Wydermyer, TE