Tennessee football 2020 mock NFL Draft: Vols landing spot projections

LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 28: Daniel Bituli #35 and Nigel Warrior #18 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate a recovered fumble against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 28: Daniel Bituli #35 and Nigel Warrior #18 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate a recovered fumble against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images
Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images

Prospects with no draft projections

Tyler Byrd

Wide Receiver

5’11” 210 pounds; Naples, Fla.

He never really was able to get it going with Tennessee football, but Tyler Byrd has speed, and he scored a crucial touchdown for the Vols this past year. Remember, he was a four-star recruit at one point. Although he won’t be drafted, Byrd could end up being a surprise signee who works out.

Marquez Callaway

Wide Receiver

6’1″ 205 pounds; Warner Robins, Ga.

After a bit of an underwhelming 40-time at the combine, Marquez Callaway was bound to fall off the draft boards without the size and production. He needed blazing speed and didn’t show it. However, he’s got great hands, is very fundamental and was still a solid producer. His ability to double as an elite punt returner means he’ll land somewhere, even if he isn’t drafted.

Landon Knoll

Linebacker

6’3″ 216 pounds; Old Hickory, Tenn.

Okay, this is the one unrealistic prospect on this list. However, Landon Knoll was one of the players eligible to be in the Vols’ 2020 NFL Draft class, so we put him in. A linebacker on Rocky Top, Knoll was a walk-on who spent his career as a reserve, only really seeing action on special teams.

Riley Lovingood

Long Snapper

6’0″ 216 pounds; Hendersonville, Tenn.

Although he won’t be drafted and was another walk-on, don’t count out Riley Lovingood. There’s a very good chance he ends up somewhere as a long snapper. The guy was solid for Tennessee football over the past four years in that role, and he could follow in the footsteps of Morgan Cox, who is a 10-year snapper with the Baltimore Ravens and has become a Pro Bowler.

Nigel Warrior

Safety

6’0″ 190 pounds; College Park, Ga.

By far the most overlooked prospect in this year’s NFL Draft from Rocky Top, Nigel Warrior was snubbed without even receiving a combine invite. As a result, he likely won’t get drafted. However, his production down the stretch of this season, along with his family name as the son of Dale Carter, will grant him a look from some team. And his fundamentals may pull him through.

Dominick Wood-Anderson

Tight End

6’4″ 261 pounds; San Diego, Calif.

From a stats perspective, Dominick Wood-Anderson is the reverse Nigel Warrior. He didn’t fill up the numbers, but he has incredible size for a tight end, something you can’t teach. As a result, he did get a combine invite. Although he probably won’t get drafted, his potential is through the roof, so somebody will take a look at him with a ton of interest.