Tracking all the moves.
Tennessee sent four players to the league during the 2025 NFL Draft. Edge rusher James Pearce went at the tail end of the first round to the Atlanta Falcons. Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott went late in the second round to the Kansas City Chiefs. Running Back Dylan Sampson found a home with the Cleveland Browns in the fourth, while receiver Dont’e Thornton went out west to the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth.
As always, a handful of longtime Tennessee contributors did not hear their names called, but they’ll find opportunities elsewhere.
Longtime starting defensive tackle Omari Thomas quickly found a chance with the New Orleans Saints. Thomas checks in at 6-4, 325 pounds and has been in the rotation for four seasons now. The run-stuffing tackle was a former four-star prospect.
The journey continues in NOLA! ✍️@901_sxvxge ➡️ @Saints
#Saints pic.twitter.com/uIIlsqkB2P— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) April 27, 2025
Another run-stuffing defensive tackle will get his shot in the desert. Elijah Simmons, the 6-2, 340 pound nose, will join the revamped Arizona Cardinals defensive line. Simmons got some late round hype late in the process, but ultimately didn’t go on day three.
Big E is Arizona bound! @901_hollywood_e ➡️ @AZCardinals #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/XIqzcdIwKY
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) April 27, 2025
Walk-on safety Will Brooks will get his chance with Norman-Lott and Trey Smith out in Kansas City. The senior safety made several game-changing plays for Tennessee in 2024 after emerging out of nowhere out of pure necessity in 2023. Brooks had a game-sealing pick against Alabama and a massive pick six against NC State this season.
Opportunity awaits in KC!@willbrooks27 ➡️ @Chiefs#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/pMH8lRjvZo
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) April 27, 2025
Surprisingly, receiver Bru McCoy, guard Javontez Spraggins and center Cooper Mays have not found opportunities yet. We’ll update as news comes out throughout the day.