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Six Tennessee Vols headed to the NFL combine

On3 imageby:Brent Hubbs•about 10 hours•

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(Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Tennessee football will be well represented at the NFL Combine starting on February 24th in Indianapolis. 

Six players from Josh Heupel’s program will help make up the 329 invited prospects to the NFL key scouting event ahead of April’s draft. 

Three of Rodney Garner’s defensive linemen will get to put their best foot forward in James Pearce, Elijah Simmons and Omarr Norman-Lott. 

Pearce became a household name in NFL circles during the 2023 season after recording 10 sacks and 14.5 TFL’s. In 2024, with all the focus on him, Pearce recorded 7.5 sacks and 13 TFL’s. Pearce’s draft stock has slid some the last few weeks ahead of the combine after some pegged him as a top 10 pick this time last year. 

The Charlotte native will have a chance to prove himself on the field in Indianapolis. The interview process will also be important to Pearce who was very visible off the field in his career at Tennessee. 

Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott turned heads at the Reece’s Senior Bowl in practice before an injury sidelined him for the game. His work in Mobile put him on everyone’s radar. In two seasons on Rocky Top, Norman-Lott recorded 9.5 sacks and 10 TFL’s. NFL teams like his quick twitch as an inside guy. 

Garner’s third lineman invited to the combine is Elijah Simmons. The bowling ball Simmons has the NFL’s attention because of his leverage and ability to move for his size. Simmons’ biggest issue has been the inability to stay healthy and manage his weight. If healthy and in shape he has a chance to grab some attention in Indianapolis. And an NFL scout said, “he’s just an intriguing prospect”. 

On the offensive side, receivers Bru McCoy and Donte Thornton Jr. got invites. As did running back Dylan Sampson. 

Sampson had a historical season in 2024, setting the single season rushing record at Tennessee.

The measurable and combine numbers will be important for the Louisiana native who is a part of a deep class of running backs. With the depth of backs in this class, getting one of the 31 running back invites was really important to Sampson to kickoff the draft process. 

McCoy will spend the week answering medical questions and all eyes will be on his speed times. McCoy’s leadership and physicality are a plus of him. His athletic agility and speed after the ankle injury are the question he has to answer.

From a measurable stand point, Thornton should excel at the combine. He runs well and has good size and strength. So, Thornton should be able to help himself in Indianapolis. The question with Thornton is going to be how versatile he can be as a route runner and if he can stay healthy. 

Like Norman-Lott, both McCoy and Thornton didn’t finish their week of work at their respective all-star games due to being banged up. 

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