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Tennessee football: Vols S Nigel Warrior signs with Baltimore Ravens

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 30: Nigel Warrior #18 of the Tennessee Volunteers looks to the sideline during a break in the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 30: Nigel Warrior #18 of the Tennessee Volunteers looks to the sideline during a break in the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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Although he wasn’t taken in the NFL Draft, Tennessee football safety Nigel Warrior will get his shot. The Baltimore Ravens signed the Volunteers safety.

He was the most  productive player by the numbers for Tennessee football this past year, holding things together early to offset suspensions and injuries on defense. However, the son of UT legend and NFL Pro Bowler Dale Carter didn’t get the respect he deserved.

Apparently, Nigel Warrior’s four interceptions and understanding of the game wasn’t enough for him to be an NFL Draft pick. After all, he wasn’t even invited to the combine despite having the most widespread positive grades from Pro Football Focus.

As a result, the 6’0″ 190-pound defensive back will have to make his way in the pros by being an undrafted free agent. Well, he got his shot shortly after the NFL Draft ended, as the Baltimore Ravens signed him to a contract. Tennessee football’s Twitter account confirmed the signing.

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Warrior struggled with consistency throughout his first three years on Rocky Top. However, he committed to play in a nickel-based 4-3 defense led by Bob Shoop. As a result, switching to Jeremy Pruitt’s 3-4 two years in had to be a major transition.

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Still, after a couple of early issues, including a horrible game against the Georgia State Panthers and a major lapse in one play against the BYU Cougars, Warrior blossomed down the stretch of this past year.

That level of blossoming has now given him a chance with Baltimore. Warrior is going to a franchise that values defensive players. It also has a history of valuing undrafted free agents from Rocky Top. Remember, Morgan Cox, the Ravens’ long snapper, was an undrafted free agent from the Vols, and he’s a 10-year veteran who has made multiple Pro Bowls.

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Simply put, Warrior is going to a good situation. John Harbaugh will give the Tennessee football legacy player a fair shake, and that’s all anybody can ask for. Given the fact the PFF gave him the highest rating when it comes to being able to defend the run and the pass, he should be in great shape going forward.

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