Everything That Was Said About Tennessee Vols at The NFL Scouting Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine is one of the most highly anticipated events for college football players looking to make the jump to the professional ranks. For teams, it’s an opportunity to evaluate top talent in a controlled environment, while players get their first chance to impress NFL decision-makers and showcase their athleticism and skills. For the University of Tennessee and its football program, the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine presented an important moment to highlight some of their top draft prospects. With the Volunteers becoming an increasingly competitive force in college football under head coach Josh Heupel, the attention on Tennessee players in Indianapolis was more significant than ever.

Several Tennessee Vols made their way to the combine, hoping to secure their place in the upcoming NFL Draft, and the buzz around them was palpable. From their physical measurements to their performance in drills, there was a lot to discuss about the Vols’ prospects. Here’s a breakdown of everything that was said about Tennessee’s players at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.

1. Tennessee’s Rising Draft Class: A New Era of Volunteer Talent

The first thing that stood out about the Tennessee players at the combine was the emerging reputation of the school’s program. For many years, Tennessee was known for its dominance in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but more recently, the Vols had struggled to reach the same heights. Under head coach Josh Heupel, however, the program has made a noticeable resurgence. This year, the Tennessee Vols sent a few marquee prospects to the combine, and NFL evaluators were paying close attention to how these athletes would perform.

With Heupel’s high-powered offense and the Vols’ return to national prominence, players coming out of Tennessee are no longer seen as risky or overlooked options. Instead, they’re viewed as polished, modern athletes, especially those from Heupel’s system, which is known for its speed, skill, and precision. Evaluators at the combine highlighted the fact that Tennessee’s recent success on the field was starting to translate into NFL prospects being taken seriously by scouts and general managers.

The strength of Tennessee’s 2025 draft class was apparent not only in their athletic profiles but in the skill sets they displayed during the combine drills. One of the most talked-about aspects of Tennessee’s players was their combination of speed, strength, and agility, traits that were critical for standing out in a draft class stacked with top-tier talent.

2. Quarterback Joe Milton III: The Arm Talent that Cannot Be Denied

Arguably the most intriguing and discussed Tennessee prospect at the combine was quarterback Joe Milton III. The 6’5”, 242-pound signal-caller’s combination of size and arm strength had made him a standout in college, and scouts were eager to see how his raw physical attributes translated in Indianapolis.

Milton’s arm strength was widely acknowledged as his defining feature. Throughout the combine, NFL personnel could not stop discussing the sheer velocity of his throws, which were some of the strongest observed among the quarterback prospects. His ability to throw deep balls with precision and power impressed evaluators, leading many to believe he could be a future starter in the league, despite a somewhat inconsistent college career.

While his mechanics and consistency were areas of focus during the combine, it was clear that Milton’s physical tools could be molded into something special with the right NFL coaching. Many scouts emphasized that Milton was a high-risk, high-reward type of quarterback, but his potential ceiling was undeniable. One NFL scout noted, “He has one of the strongest arms in the draft, and that’s something you can’t teach. Now, it’s about getting him to play more consistently and refining his decision-making.”

However, his performance in drills was somewhat inconsistent. While Milton wowed with his arm strength, some evaluators questioned his accuracy, particularly on intermediate routes. His footwork and his ability to go through progressions under pressure were also things that scouts felt he needed to work on. But the physical gifts were so impressive that the general consensus was that Joe Milton III had the potential to develop into a starting quarterback at the NFL level if he found the right system.

3. Jalin Hyatt: A Speed Demon Ready to Make an Impact

Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt was another Tennessee prospect who generated significant buzz at the combine. Hyatt had been a key playmaker in Tennessee’s offense, and his production in 2024 was among the best in the country, finishing the season with over 1,200 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns. But what set him apart was his raw speed, something that stood out even more when he got to Indianapolis.

Hyatt’s 40-yard dash time of 4.29 seconds was one of the fastest times at the combine, cementing his status as one of the most explosive players in the draft class. NFL scouts immediately began to compare him to other speedsters in recent memory, praising his ability to stretch the field and create separation from defenders. His speed and ability to track deep balls were emphasized by coaches and scouts alike, with one saying, “Hyatt has elite top-end speed. The way he creates separation with ease downfield is exactly what NFL teams are looking for.”

But it wasn’t just his speed that made Hyatt stand out; it was his route-running and the quickness with which he could change direction, making him a lethal threat both on vertical routes and in short, quick-hit schemes. Hyatt’s ability to separate off the line of scrimmage was another thing that impressed evaluators, who noted that he had a great feel for the game and was capable of running a more nuanced route tree than many expected.

One knock on Hyatt during his time at Tennessee was that his production came largely from the high-powered system Heupel employed, and some doubted whether his numbers could translate to the NFL. However, his combine performance assuaged many of those concerns, as scouts believed his traits were transferable to the pro game. There was little doubt that Hyatt’s speed, combined with his improving technical skills, would make him a highly sought-after receiver in the draft.

4. Brodie Croyle: A Defensive Playmaker in the Spotlight

While the spotlight was on Tennessee’s offensive players, defensive prospects like Brodie Croyle also made an impression at the combine. The 6’2”, 220-pound linebacker had been an anchor for the Vols’ defense, and he demonstrated the physicality and versatility that made him one of the best defensive players in the SEC. Croyle’s combination of size, speed, and aggression was on full display during the defensive drills.

What stood out most about Croyle during the combine was his explosiveness off the line of scrimmage and his ability to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Scouts commented on his ability to quickly diagnose plays and react to the ball, showing a level of instincts that many college players struggle with. His versatility was also praised, as Croyle was capable of playing both inside and outside linebacker, making him an appealing option for teams in need of a versatile defensive player.

“There’s no question that Croyle has a knack for getting to the ball,” said one NFL scout. “His quickness and instincts are impressive, and I think he could make an immediate impact in a variety of schemes.”

However, like many prospects at the combine, Croyle’s consistency in coverage was something that scouts pointed to as an area for improvement. There were moments when he struggled to maintain coverage against faster and more skilled route runners, which raised concerns about his ability to contribute in passing situations at the next level. Still, his raw ability made him an intriguing prospect.

5. Tennessee’s Culture and Coaching Staff Draws Praise

One of the recurring themes throughout the combine, especially when discussing Tennessee’s prospects, was the positive influence of Josh Heupel’s coaching staff. Several scouts and evaluators spoke highly of the Vols’ program, noting that players seemed well-prepared for the combine both physically and mentally. Heupel’s high-tempo offense, which had gained national attention for its explosive plays, was credited with pushing Tennessee’s players to reach their maximum potential.

“The way Tennessee’s players perform on the field, and the way they handle themselves in a setting like the combine, speaks volumes about the coaching staff and the culture they’ve built,” said an NFL executive. “They’re well-prepared, they have a strong work ethic, and they have a mindset of winning that comes from the top down.”

This sentiment about Tennessee’s coaching staff was echoed by players who attended the combine. Many mentioned how Heupel’s staff had taught them to handle high-pressure situations and focus on consistent improvement, both of which were evident in their performances at the combine.

6. Closing Thoughts: Tennessee Vols on the Rise

As the NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up, the Tennessee Volunteers left a lasting impression on scouts, coaches, and evaluators. From Joe Milton III’s arm strength to Jalin Hyatt’s blazing speed, the Vols demonstrated that they were no longer just a program with potential—they were a program with NFL-ready talent. The buzz surrounding their prospects reflected Tennessee’s resurgence in the college football world, as their players stood out as legitimate contenders for high draft positions.

While some questions remained about specific players’ abilities to transition to the next level, the overall consensus was that Tennessee’s future in the NFL was bright. With Heupel leading the charge and producing top-tier athletes year after year, the Vols look primed to continue developing talent that can succeed in the NFL for years to come.