Football Double Header on Rocky Top With Scrimmage and Vols Pro day

(utsports.com) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – NFL scouts and personnel got an all-access look at Tennessee football on Wednesday beginning with the Volunteers’ first spring scrimmage in Neyland Stadium before shifting to Pro Day in the Anderson Training Center.

All 32 NFL teams were in attendance and watched 15 VFLs participate in Pro Day. They also got a taste of the 2024 Vols in full pads during a two-hour scrimmage that saw UT work all three phases. Head coach Josh Heupel praised the group of young players who went through their first scrimmage.

“Mike (Matthews) made a big play down the sideline today,” Heupel said. “I thought he competed hard throughout the course of the day. I thought some of our young DBs showed up just tackling in space. As we go through spring ball, those fundamentals are extremely important. Boo Carter did a great job making plays in space.”

Heupel announced that sophomore running back Cam Seldon will miss the remainder of the spring after undergoing shoulder surgery on Tuesday. Seldon’s absence allowed junior Dylan Sampson, true freshman Khalifa Keith and redshirt freshman DeSean Bishop to take the bulk of the reps in the backfield.

Pro Day standouts included tight end McCallan Castles, who at 6-foot-4, 244 pounds, posted a 10-foot-6 broad jump and a 37.5-inch vertical jump. Those marks would have registered first and third, respectively among tight ends at this year’s NFL Combine.

Cornerback Kamal Hadden, a Combine invite, notched marks of 34.5 inches in the vertical and a 10-foot-2 broad jump. The next best vertical jump figures came from running back Jabari Small and defensive back Gabe Jeudy-Lally, who each posted 36 inches.

Jaylen Wright, who many experts consider one of the top two running backs in this year’s draft, took part in his position group workout and stood on his strong NFL Combine numbers in the 40-yard dash (4.38), broad jump (11-2) and vertical jump (38 inches).

Quarterback Joe Milton III was unofficially clocked at 4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Milton then made his way around the route tree, throwing to wide receiver Ramel Keyton, tight end Jacob Warren, Castles and the running backs inside. Milton punctuated the day when the action shifted outside for his final five throws. He launched multiple 80-yard deep balls in stride to receivers.

Multiple VFLs were on hand to watch the action, including Baltimore Ravens quarterback coach Tee Martin, Miami Dolphins personnel executive Reggie McKenzie and Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker.

The 2024 Vols will review the film from the spring scrimmage on Thursday before breaking for the Easter holiday. Tennessee returns to the practice field with four workouts next week.