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Multiple former Tennessee players sign with NFL teams as undrafted free agents

4A3DA472-0F39-4C89-9987-5851509375C0by:Matt Ray•04/26/25•

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Omari Thomas
(Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK) Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) is seen on the field during a football game between Tennessee and UTSA at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

The 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and four Tennessee Volunteers heard their name called throughout the weekend, including James Pearce Jr. in the first round to the Atlanta Falcons, Omarr Norman-Lott in the second round to the Chiefs, Dont’e Thornton in the fourth round to the Raiders, and Dylan Sampson in the fourth round to the Cleveland Browns.

Now, with the draft officially in the books, a number of Tennessee prospects are set to sign with teams as undrafted free agents.

As Volquest reported on Saturday evening, former Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas has signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent.

Thomas recorded 23 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and a sack in 2025. In his five year career in Knoxville, he played in 61 games, recording 115 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 5 sacks.

Fellow Tennessee defensive lineman Elijah Simmons is also heading to the league on an undrafted free agent deal. He has signed a deal with the Arizona Cardinals.

Simmons recorded 11 tackles and 0.5 sacks last fall for the Vols as an interior defensive lineman. Over his six year career on Rocky Top, he played in 55 games and posted 59 tackles, 7 TFLS, and 0.5 sacks.

Also joining them on the defensive side of the football is former walk-on safety Will Brooks. After a stellar season at Tennessee last fall, Brooks signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on an undrafted free agent deal.

Brooks started in all 13 games for the Vols last fall and seemed to always make crucial plays. He recorded 59 tackles and had four interceptions on the season, including the game-winning interception against Alabama.

At this time, those three are the only former Vols known to have signed a deal with an NFL team.

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