Five Vols Who Might Leave Early For NFL

Nov 29, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Cameron Sutton (23) celebrates with teammates after returning a punt for a touchdown during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

There aren’t many downsides to recruiting elite talent.

But if you were forced to come up with one, it would be the fact that coaches are forced to replenish talent at a faster rate, due to star players leaving early for the NFL.

Butch Jones and the Volunteers are on the verge of experiencing that “downside” as early as after the 2015 season.

The players in Jones’ first Vol recruiting class will be eligible to make the jump to the NFL after this upcoming season. And several more could make the jump after the 2016 season.

Obviously the “downside” of players leaving early is something that all elite college football programs have to deal with. In fact, calling it a “downside” is a bit of a stretch. Without that elite talent, those programs would be middle-of-the-road schools just hoping to make a bowl game year in and year out.

Tennessee is on their way to being an elite program again and it’s evidenced by the talent found on the roster.

Here are five Vols from that current roster that we think could end up leaving Tennessee early for the NFL.