Mel Kiper Jr. Ranks Three Vols In NFL Draft Preview

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranked three Tennessee Volunteers in the position previews for the 2024 NFL Draft.

NFL Draft season is right around the corner. Tennessee has sent a host of players to the professional level under head coach Josh Heupel, and they could have more join those ranks this offseason. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked three former Tennessee Volunteers inside his positional big board. You can read his full article here on ESPN+.

Running back Jaylen Wright was the headliner, checking in as the No. 6 back in this class, according to Kiper. Wright drew a comparison to former Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford from The Athletic's Dane Brugler. Ford went over 1,000 all-purpose yards with the Cleveland Browns this season. Wright thrived with the Vols this year, becoming the program's first 1,000-yard rusher since the 2015 season.

Quarterback Joe Milton III has all the tools to become a successful player at the next level, but it's about putting it all together. NFL scouts are higher on Milton this offseason than last, but he still has some work to do. Kiper ranks Milton as his No. 9 quarterback ahead of the Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, which Milton will participate in. Finally, tight end McCallan Castles checked in as Kiper's No. 8 fullback/H-back in the class. Castles had a productive lone season on Rocky Top, logging 22 receptions for 283 yards and five touchdowns, catching a score in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Iowa.

Tennessee Volunteers QB Joe Milton III during the win over Vanderbilt. (Photo by Saul Young of the News Sentinel)

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