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Tennessee football: Where experts have all four Vols in 2021 NFL Draft

By Caleb Calhoun

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 7: Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers on the sidelines during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 24-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 7: Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers on the sidelines during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 24-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee defensive back Bryce Thompson (20) before TennesseeÕs game against Georgia in Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.Kns Utvgeorgia1005 Bp Jpg
Tennessee defensive back Bryce Thompson (20) before TennesseeÕs game against Georgia in Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.Kns Utvgeorgia1005 Bp Jpg /

Bryce Thompson. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Defensive back. Irmo, S.C.. 3. player. 839

5’11” 190 pounds

The only early departure for Tennessee football in the 2021 NFL Draft, Bryce Thompson never lived up to his Freshman All-American campaign. However, he did have eight interceptions over three years, including three in a game.

In terms of his NFL Draft stock, he shows up in the CBS Sports seven-round mock draft for all 32 teams. Tyler Sullivan actually has him going to the New England Patriots with the 177th overall pick in the fifth round, which is a bit high considering other projections. After all, he doesn’t even appear in other major seven-round mock drafts.

Thompson does have some recognition in individual rankings, though. Todd McShay of ESPN ranks him at No. 231 with a 40 overall grade in his top 350 prospects for the draft. Since there are 259 overall draft picks, that would mean he should be drafted. Mel Kiper of ESPN, meanwhile, has him ranked as the No. 48 overall cornerback.

All of this suggests Thompson is somewhere in the fifth to seventh round range but could go undrafted. That’s better than not having any draft projections, but he’s in the worst position of any former Vol expecting to hear his name called this week. We’re about to find out if he made the right decision to leave early.

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