All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Ranking all four Vols by NFL Combine performance in 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Mar 5, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee defensive lineman Matthew Butler (DL02) goes through drills during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee defensive lineman Matthew Butler (DL02) goes through drills during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) greets fans during the Vol Walk ahead of an SEC football game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Kentucky Football
Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) greets fans during the Vol Walk ahead of an SEC football game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Kentucky Football /

Scouting Report. Defensive back. Manchester, Tenn.. player. 839. Pick Analysis. Alontae Taylor. 1

6’0″ 199 pounds; 32.25″ arms; 9.125″ hands

Combine results according to NFL.com:

  • 40-time: 4.36 seconds
  • Vertical jump: 34.5 inches
  • Broad jump: 128 inches

Although all the talk surrounded Velus Jones Jr. with his blazing speed in the 40-yard dash, Alontae Taylor had the most complete NFL Combine performance of anybody for Tennessee football. Taylor already had a selling point. Just look at how bad the Vols’ secondary was when he opted out of the Music City Bowl to prepare for the draft.

That decision was clearly the right one, though, as he was clearly ready for the combine. Although he wasn’t as quick as Jones, Taylor’s 4.36 40-time as tied for 10th among everybody at the event, and that speed was actually something we didn’t all expect from him.

At his expected height and four pounds heavier than his expected weight, Taylor also meets the minimum physical attributes. His broad jump was tied for third best among cornerbacks, and he had the best vertical of any former Vol at the event.

What stands out about Taylor is that despite his experience playing cornerback, he is drawing interest at safety. That versatility along with his performance at this event makes him the biggest winner among former Tennessee football players. There’s a reason he was UT’s highest graded defensive player in 2021 with two picks, a pick-six, a forced fumble and eight pass deflections.

Home/Vols Football