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Tennessee football’s top 10 NFL Draft prospects for 2023

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917 /
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Oct 16, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Byron Young (6) on the field during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Byron Young (6) on the field during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

2. 839. Scouting Report. Edge rusher. Senior. Byron Young. Pick Analysis. player

6’3″ 245 pounds

Edge rushers targeted by Jeremy Pruitt to come to Tennessee football are the best positioned to make the pros. Byron Young would have played outside linebacker in Pruitt’s 3-4 scheme, which is what he committed to do out of Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Ga., which is in Baldwin County, back in 2020.

However, the South Carolina kid wasn’t able to get into the program until after last year began due to coursework issues. Once he got in there, though, he stole the starting job from Tyler Baron and Roman Harrison and turned into the Vols’ premiere edge rusher.

In just 10 games, Young tied for the team lead in tackles for a loss with 11.5, and he also had an interception, two pass deflections and 46 tackles, 20 of which were solo. Add in five and a half sacks, and the graduate of Carvers Bay High School in Hemingway, S.C., which is in Georgetown County, truly is an elite edge rusher.

This year, he’ll enter with a full offseason under his belt. That should allow him to thrive. If Pruitt wanted him, it means he’s in the mold of guys like Darrell Taylor, who has been the Vols’ highest draft pick dating back to 2017, and that should intrigue lots of NFL scouts.

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