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Tennessee football: Top 10 former Vols in NFL for 2022 season

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith (73) walks off the field for the final time after a SEC game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Texas A&M Aggies held at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, December 19, 2020.Kns Vols Football Texas A M Bp
Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith (73) walks off the field for the final time after a SEC game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Texas A&M Aggies held at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, December 19, 2020.Kns Vols Football Texas A M Bp /
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Marquez Callaway, of the New Orleans Saints, makes a catch during pre-game practice, at MetLife Stadium. Sunday, December 12, 2021Jets Host Saints
Marquez Callaway, of the New Orleans Saints, makes a catch during pre-game practice, at MetLife Stadium. Sunday, December 12, 2021Jets Host Saints /

15. 7. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Wide receiver. New Orleans Saints. Marquez Callaway. player

3rd year in NFL

Wide receiver U appears to slowly be coming back for Tennessee football. Jauan Jennings and Josh Palmer each saw a good bit of action last year with the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers respectively, and they appear destined for breakout campaigns this year. Meanwhile, rookie Velus Jones Jr. is expected to start for the Chicago Bears this year.

All of those guys were drafted, though. Leading the resurgence is Marquez Callaway, who was in the same NFL Draft class as Jennings, back in 2020, but has emerged as a breakout player. The numbers don’t show it, but Callaway has slowly turned into a lethal force for a New Orleans Saints franchise that has undergone major transitions.

Last year, he started 11 games, appeared in all 17 of them and caught 46 passes for 698 yards and six touchdowns. That may not seem like a lot, but considering the fact that the Saints moved on from Drew Brees and then lost Jameis Winston for the year, Callaway was actually pretty impressive with what he was able to do.

More transitions are on the way, too, as the Saints have now moved to a defensive-oriented head coach, promoting Dennis Allen to replace Sean Payton. Pete Carmichael Jr. is still there as offensive coordinator, though, so if the offense stays the same, Callaway should take another huge step forward.

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