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Tennessee football’s 10 underclassmen most likely to leave early for 2023 NFL Draft

By Caleb Calhoun

Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63) and Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) rest after a play during a game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021.Kns Tennessee Bowling Green Football
Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63) and Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) rest after a play during a game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021.Kns Tennessee Bowling Green Football /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Offensive lineman. 4. player. 839. Junior. Cooper Mays

6’3″ 296 pounds

His brother just left this past year for the NFL Draft. Now, Cooper Mays has a chance to impress NFL scouts. Honestly, the best selling point for the graduate of Knoxville Catholic High School in Knox County, Tenn., is how much Tennessee football struggled on the offensive line when he wasn’t in at center last year.

However, that’s also Mays’ biggest drawback, as questions about his health are going to be rampant now. He needs a year to be able to play fully healthy so NFL scouts can be confident in his reliability if they take a chance on him as an underclassmen.

Still, Mays is the first guy on this list who is likely guaranteed a starting role. Playing more is naturally going to give you a chance to draw more attention to yourself among NFL scouts, and that’s enough for Mays to be up here.

Production is another key ingredient, and Mays was able to prove his value last year. Now, his big focus needs to be staying healthy, and if he’s able to do that, he may be able to come out early next year. He may not have his brother’s hype, but another year in this system should allow him to take a huge leap.

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