Top 25 NFL Draft Rankings: No. 11 Tennessee primed for more wins, picks
Derek Barnett DE / Tennessee Volunteers
CLASS: Junior HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 257 40-YARD DASH: 4.76
SPONSORED BY ABERCROMBIE & FITCH
The Blues
Over his two seasons in Knoxville, Barnett has graded as one of the more consistent defensive ends in college football. The former four-star Nashville product burst onto the scene in 2014 as the first true freshman defensive lineman to start the season opener in a Tennessee uniform. He set new freshman school records with 20.5 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks, playing in all 13 games. Barnett followed up with a team-best 10.0 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss last season as a sophomore, earning All-SEC honors from the league coaches. He enters 2016 only a dozen sacks shy of Reggie White's school record and should thrive under the tutelage of new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop.
Lining up primarily at right defensive end, Barnett uses excellent pad level, body position and take-on strength to leverage blocks, using his upper body power to detach and make plays. He is stout vs. the run with above average awareness and hustle, which is also reflected on the stat sheet with 141 total tackles in two years at Tennessee. While Barnett has posted double-digit sacks each of the last two seasons, the tape doesn't show a dynamic pass rusher. He has only average first-step burst and lacks ideal flexibility for the position to bend and win the corner consistently with speed. Although he doesn't flash explosive traits, Barnett does control his momentum well in short spaces, which aids him on inside moves and clean up sacks when the pocket starts to crumble. Does he belong in the same conversation as Texas A&M's Myles Garrett? No, Garrett is easily the far superior NFL prospect due to his gifts as a pass rusher. But Barnett is excellent vs. the run and his well-rounded skill-set still makes him an appealing prospect worthy of first round consideration.
Cameron Sutton DB / Tennessee Volunteers
CLASS: Senior HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 186 40-YARD DASH: 4.50
Entering his fourth season as a starter, Sutton has been a mainstay at cornerback for the Volunteers since he arrived in Knoxville. After a productive freshman season, Sutton set career-bests as a sophomore in 2014 with 16 passes defended and three interceptions. His numbers dropped last season as a junior with only 28 tackles, seven passes defended and one interception, but Sutton returns to Tennessee in 2016 for a one final season to impress NFL scouts.
Although he isn't an elite size/speed specimen, Sutton is a composed athlete with smooth body control and adequate length to match up physically with receivers. He has a bad habit of playing too much on his heels with inconsistent transition technique, but he is able to quickly collect himself and plant-and-drive on plays in front of him. He needs to improve as a run defender with inconsistent angles and wild tackling mechanics, which leads to several misses on film. Sutton is too often caught out of position when attempting to break down, making it tough for him to finish. He does add value as a return man with three punt returns for touchdowns the past two seasons, averaging 16.0 yards per return. With 38 starts under his belt, Sutton brings a veteran and confident presence to the field with reliable ball skills, but he needs to cut down on the negative plays as a senior.
Jalen Hurd RB / Tennessee Volunteers
CLASS: Junior HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 230 40-YARD DASH: 4.57
Another ball carrier who gets lost in the shuffle when discussing the potential depth of the 2017 running back class, Hurd doesn't have the traditional look for the position, but he has been productive for the Vols' offense. After leading the team in rushing as a true freshman, Hurd rushed for a career-best 1,288 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, adding 22 receptions for 190 yards and two receiving scores. He recorded six 100-yard rushing games last season and was one of only two players to rush for 90+ yards vs. Alabama, who ranked No. 1 in college football in run defense. Hurd enters the 2016 season 891 yards shy of the Volunteers all-time rushing record.
When he steps off the bus, Hurd looks more like a linebacker or tight end with his athletic, big-boned frame. He has fluid hips and collects his feet to quickly turn north-south and weave through the defense. Hurd reads blocks well on the move and runs with the toughness and physical mentality needed to bounce off contact. But like most backs his size, his pad level can be an issue and his large body makes him an easy target for defenders to square up. Hurd is a coordinated athlete, but lacks the elusive traits to routinely make defenders miss in space or tight quarters. In Tennessee's offense, he is asked to do much more than simply tote the rock, showing soft hands as a receiver (57 career catches). Hurd also gets after it as a blocker with balance and power in pass protection. He will receive plenty of comparisons to last year's Heisman winner Derrick Henry, who measured a hair shy of 6-foot-3, but Hurd's skill-set is more unique. Hurd might be at his best as part of a two-back system in the NFL that allows him to serve as more of an H-Back, running, receiving and blocking.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin LB / Tennessee Volunteers
CLASS: Senior HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 225 40-YARD DASH: 4.72
It is tough to watch Tennessee's defense and not notice the #21 jersey flying all over the field. Reeves-Maybin became the Volunteers starting weakside linebacker as a sophomore in 2014 and posted triple-digit tackles each of the last two seasons, including a career-best 105 stops last year. He also led the team in tackles for loss last year (14.0) in 2015, adding 6.0 sacks, four passes defended and two forced fumbles. Unfortunately, he missed most of spring practice due to a shoulder injury, which required a sling on his left arm, but Reeves-Maybin is expected to be full-go at some point this summer and return to his weakside linebacker spot in the fall.
Reeves-Maybin has sideline-to-sideline range and uses closing burst and accurate angles to keep ball carriers contained on the edges. He reads the action quickly to attack the run and make stops on the other side of the line of scrimmage, shooting gaps and keeping himself free from blocks. However, Reeves-Maybin is undersized by NFL standards with narrow shoulders, shorter arms and limited growth potential. He understands how to leverage the field and break down as a tackler, but lacks ideal power for the next level and needs to be a more consistent finisher, especially vs. bigger backs. Although he tends to get grabby in coverage and his eyes get stuck in the backfield, Reeves-Maybin has the movement skills to handle cover responsibilities and stay on the field for all three downs. His lack of size and power potential will likely keep him out of the top-50 picks, but if he improves his consistency in coverage and as a finisher, Reeves-Maybin can secure second day status as a draft pick in the 2017 class
Derek Barnett DE / Tennessee Volunteers
CLASS: Junior HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 257 40-YARD DASH: 4.76
SPONSORED BY ABERCROMBIE & FITCH
The Blues
Over his two seasons in Knoxville, Barnett has graded as one of the more consistent defensive ends in college football. The former four-star Nashville product burst onto the scene in 2014 as the first true freshman defensive lineman to start the season opener in a Tennessee uniform. He set new freshman school records with 20.5 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks, playing in all 13 games. Barnett followed up with a team-best 10.0 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss last season as a sophomore, earning All-SEC honors from the league coaches. He enters 2016 only a dozen sacks shy of Reggie White's school record and should thrive under the tutelage of new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop.
Lining up primarily at right defensive end, Barnett uses excellent pad level, body position and take-on strength to leverage blocks, using his upper body power to detach and make plays. He is stout vs. the run with above average awareness and hustle, which is also reflected on the stat sheet with 141 total tackles in two years at Tennessee. While Barnett has posted double-digit sacks each of the last two seasons, the tape doesn't show a dynamic pass rusher. He has only average first-step burst and lacks ideal flexibility for the position to bend and win the corner consistently with speed. Although he doesn't flash explosive traits, Barnett does control his momentum well in short spaces, which aids him on inside moves and clean up sacks when the pocket starts to crumble. Does he belong in the same conversation as Texas A&M's Myles Garrett? No, Garrett is easily the far superior NFL prospect due to his gifts as a pass rusher. But Barnett is excellent vs. the run and his well-rounded skill-set still makes him an appealing prospect worthy of first round consideration.
Cameron Sutton DB / Tennessee Volunteers
CLASS: Senior HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 186 40-YARD DASH: 4.50
Entering his fourth season as a starter, Sutton has been a mainstay at cornerback for the Volunteers since he arrived in Knoxville. After a productive freshman season, Sutton set career-bests as a sophomore in 2014 with 16 passes defended and three interceptions. His numbers dropped last season as a junior with only 28 tackles, seven passes defended and one interception, but Sutton returns to Tennessee in 2016 for a one final season to impress NFL scouts.
Although he isn't an elite size/speed specimen, Sutton is a composed athlete with smooth body control and adequate length to match up physically with receivers. He has a bad habit of playing too much on his heels with inconsistent transition technique, but he is able to quickly collect himself and plant-and-drive on plays in front of him. He needs to improve as a run defender with inconsistent angles and wild tackling mechanics, which leads to several misses on film. Sutton is too often caught out of position when attempting to break down, making it tough for him to finish. He does add value as a return man with three punt returns for touchdowns the past two seasons, averaging 16.0 yards per return. With 38 starts under his belt, Sutton brings a veteran and confident presence to the field with reliable ball skills, but he needs to cut down on the negative plays as a senior.
Jalen Hurd RB / Tennessee Volunteers
CLASS: Junior HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 230 40-YARD DASH: 4.57
Another ball carrier who gets lost in the shuffle when discussing the potential depth of the 2017 running back class, Hurd doesn't have the traditional look for the position, but he has been productive for the Vols' offense. After leading the team in rushing as a true freshman, Hurd rushed for a career-best 1,288 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, adding 22 receptions for 190 yards and two receiving scores. He recorded six 100-yard rushing games last season and was one of only two players to rush for 90+ yards vs. Alabama, who ranked No. 1 in college football in run defense. Hurd enters the 2016 season 891 yards shy of the Volunteers all-time rushing record.
When he steps off the bus, Hurd looks more like a linebacker or tight end with his athletic, big-boned frame. He has fluid hips and collects his feet to quickly turn north-south and weave through the defense. Hurd reads blocks well on the move and runs with the toughness and physical mentality needed to bounce off contact. But like most backs his size, his pad level can be an issue and his large body makes him an easy target for defenders to square up. Hurd is a coordinated athlete, but lacks the elusive traits to routinely make defenders miss in space or tight quarters. In Tennessee's offense, he is asked to do much more than simply tote the rock, showing soft hands as a receiver (57 career catches). Hurd also gets after it as a blocker with balance and power in pass protection. He will receive plenty of comparisons to last year's Heisman winner Derrick Henry, who measured a hair shy of 6-foot-3, but Hurd's skill-set is more unique. Hurd might be at his best as part of a two-back system in the NFL that allows him to serve as more of an H-Back, running, receiving and blocking.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin LB / Tennessee Volunteers
CLASS: Senior HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 225 40-YARD DASH: 4.72
It is tough to watch Tennessee's defense and not notice the #21 jersey flying all over the field. Reeves-Maybin became the Volunteers starting weakside linebacker as a sophomore in 2014 and posted triple-digit tackles each of the last two seasons, including a career-best 105 stops last year. He also led the team in tackles for loss last year (14.0) in 2015, adding 6.0 sacks, four passes defended and two forced fumbles. Unfortunately, he missed most of spring practice due to a shoulder injury, which required a sling on his left arm, but Reeves-Maybin is expected to be full-go at some point this summer and return to his weakside linebacker spot in the fall.
Reeves-Maybin has sideline-to-sideline range and uses closing burst and accurate angles to keep ball carriers contained on the edges. He reads the action quickly to attack the run and make stops on the other side of the line of scrimmage, shooting gaps and keeping himself free from blocks. However, Reeves-Maybin is undersized by NFL standards with narrow shoulders, shorter arms and limited growth potential. He understands how to leverage the field and break down as a tackler, but lacks ideal power for the next level and needs to be a more consistent finisher, especially vs. bigger backs. Although he tends to get grabby in coverage and his eyes get stuck in the backfield, Reeves-Maybin has the movement skills to handle cover responsibilities and stay on the field for all three downs. His lack of size and power potential will likely keep him out of the top-50 picks, but if he improves his consistency in coverage and as a finisher, Reeves-Maybin can secure second day status as a draft pick in the 2017 class
