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Former Vols put best foot forward at Tennessee's pro day

On3 imageby:Brent Hubbs•about 17 hours•

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© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Tennessee held their annual pro day on Tuesday with plenty of attention on a hand full of Vols highlighted by Dylan Sampson, James Pearce and Donte Thornton. 

Pearce and Thornton got everyone’s attention at the NFL Combine two weeks ago when they both impressed with their 40 time. 

Pearce ran a 4.47-40 in Indianapolis and Thornton ran a 4.30-40. 

For Thornton, the goal on Tuesday was the build off the forty time that generated him plenty of buzz. 

“My phone is definitely ringing a good amount right now,” Thornton said. “Definitely a noticeable difference.” 

Thornton’s focus on at his pro day at Tennessee was to be able to show how his game translates to the NFL.

“I wanted to show everyone that I can run pro style routes,” Thornton said. “Every teams main talking point was asking with the offense we run at Tennessee, could I run those pro style routes. I think I showed that today. I had to be very intentional in preparing for that. Playing two seasons here, we don’t have the wide route tree that most pro style offenses have.” 

For Sampson, Tuesday was about a forty time after not running at the combine. Sampson ran a sub-4.5 and believed he showed diversity in his game that ultimately helps his stock in an ever changing NFL game. 

“I wanted come out and show that I could run. My game speed is real speed,” Sampson said. “I also wanted to show my receiving capabilities that I could run routes and catch the ball naturally. I think in this day and age there’s a lot of things I can be utilized to do. I think I translate well to the NFL in the right place.

“The game is changing I think for the better. There are more athletes, more speed. You have defensive linemen running 4.4. You need to be able to get away from them and be elusive. I think as a running back being dynamic means more years, more contracts you can have just by doing things outside of the core. I feel good about where the game is going and I think it’s set up for players like me.” 

Pearce has had the highest NFL stock of any Vols for the last year. His stock has also been questioned as much as anyone’s over the last month. Pearce knows it’s part of the process and one he’s trying to embrace.

“It’s not my personality,” Pearce said of opening up to people.  “It’s a business. I want to get to know them as well to see who fits me even though it’s their choice. I want to get to know them the same way they want to get to know me. 

“It’s part of the business. It’s about being a pro. I can’t complain about something I dream for.”

From now till the draft, Pearce will have more meetings with teams individually and his goal is simple. 

“I just have to keep showing that I’m the best edge in the draft,” Pearce said. “They just want to know you. It’s nothing off the wall. They just want to get to know what kind of player and person I am. They ask others about me but they want to hear it from me as well.” 

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said he has seen Pearce grow significantly on and off the field over the last three years. 

“Young men when they come into our building are at varying levels of maturity. It’s our job to accelerate them as fast as we can. James has done a really good job. The football understanding grew really quickly. He has continues to grow as a man and a person,” Heupel said. 

The NFL draft is set for Thursday, April 25-Saturday, April 26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. 

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