Tennessee Volunteers Have Two NFL Draft Prospects
A 5-7 season with a loss to Kentucky wasn’t how Derek Dooley and the Tennessee Volunteers drew up the 2011 season, but major injuries and pre-season attrition exposed a lack of talent in Knoxville that couldn’t be overcome. It was a particularly disappointing season for Tennessee’s seniors, who won’t be remembered as one of the great classes in Tennessee’s history, but they should be remembered as one of the most persistent.
The ones who survived and made it through the 2011 season had played for three different coaching staffs entirely, and in some cases they had played for as many as five different position coaches. Tennessee only graduates three senior starters, and two of the three stand a solid chance of hearing their name called in April’s NFL Draft.
Here is an early look at draft projections and scouting reports for draft-eligible Tennessee Volunteers.
(Rankings courtesy of CBS Sports)
Tauren Poole- #124 Overall, #12 RB
Tauren Poole had a checkered career at Tennessee. He showed flashes as a one-cut back who ran downhill and powered his way to yards after contact, but he was extremely inconsistent. Some of that had to do with an inexperienced offensive line, but Poole displayed a lack of patience that also contributed to Tennessee’s rushing woes. Poole has a thick lower body and enough athleticism to play at the next level, but he’ll have to be more patient while letting his blocks develop.
Grade: Fourth-Fifth Round
Malik Jackson- #129 Overall, #12 DE
Malik Jackson was a small consolation prize for Tennessee fans when he transferred in from USC, but he wound up being far-and-away the Vols biggest asset defensively over the past two seasons. Jackson is a selfless guy who played the majority of his snaps on the interior to fill a need for the Vols, despite the fact that he is going to play mostly on the outside as a professional. He plays strong at the point of attack, but he will need to develop more lower-body strength.
Grade: Third-Fourth Round
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