Three Tennessee football players were selected in the NFL Draft last week.

Cause for celebration, or concern?

The four qualifying teams for last season’s College Football Playoff combined for 44 draft picks. 

That suggests that if Tennessee wants to go from competitive program to national championship program under Josh Heupel, he needs to start producing more NFL talent.

And yet, consider that Tennessee finished 9-4 despite not having a single player selected within the draft’s first three rounds. That speaks to Heupel’s coaching ability.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams unpack Tennessee’s production in the draft and why they think Jaylen Wright will become UT's most productive NFL player from this draft class.

They also preview next year’s draft class, highlighted by edge rusher James Pierce, who profiles as a potential No. 1 overall pick.

And, they consider this question: Is Tennessee’s draft performance cause for concern?

 Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Three <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/04/25/tennessee-nfl-draft-picks-2024-undrafted-free-agents/73436509007/" aria-label="Link Tennessee football players were selected in the NFL Draft">Tennessee football players were selected in the NFL Draft</a> last week.
Cause for celebration, or concern?
The four qualifying teams for last season’s College Football Playoff combined for 44 draft picks. 
That suggests that if Tennessee wants to go from competitive program to national championship program under <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/05/01/cam-seldon-injury-update-tennessee-football-josh-heupel/73445158007/" aria-label="Link Josh Heupel">Josh Heupel</a>, he needs to start producing more NFL talent.
And yet, consider that Tennessee finished 9-4 despite not having a single player selected within the draft’s first three rounds. That speaks to Heupel’s coaching ability.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a>, Adam Sparks and John Adams unpack Tennessee’s production in the draft and why they think Jaylen Wright will become UT's most productive NFL player from this draft class.
They also <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/04/27/tennessee-football-nfl-draft-prospects-2025-roster/73444816007/" aria-label="Link preview next year’s draft class">preview next year’s draft class</a>, highlighted by edge rusher James Pierce, who profiles as a potential No. 1 overall pick.
And, they consider this question: Is Tennessee’s draft performance cause for concern?
 Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

The Volunteer State is a Tennessee Vols sports podcast covering sports topics from the University of Tennessee featuring The Knoxville News Sentinel's John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer. The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee.

The Volunteer State is a Tennessee Vols sports podcast covering sports topics from the University of Tennessee featuring The Knoxville News Sentinel's John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer. The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee.

A Tennessee Vols podcast from the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee.

The Volunteer State

The Volunteer State is a Tennessee Vols sports podcast covering sports topics from the University of Tennessee featuring The Knoxville News Sentinel's John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer.