The Tennessee Vols are making their presence felt in the NFL like never before. With the potential for three players to be selected in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, the Vols are already riding high on the success of a Super Bowl champion and multiple Pro Bowlers this season.
Adding to the excitement, former Vol Cade Mays has just inked a significant contract with the Detroit Lions. The Lions have signed Mays to a 3-year, $25 million deal, marking a major milestone for the former Tennessee center.
Mays’ journey is a testament to his resilience and talent. He began his college career at Georgia before transferring to Tennessee after the 2019 season.
At Tennessee, he made his mark as the starting right tackle and earned Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2021. Drafted in the 6th round by the Carolina Panthers, Mays has thrived since transitioning to the center position.
In 2025, Mays showcased his skills with a 69.4 PFF pass-blocking grade, ranking 13th among NFL centers. His discipline was on full display, committing just two penalties over 726 snaps and allowing zero sacks. With the Lions needing stability after the sudden retirement of star center Frank Ragnow, Mays is poised to be a key figure for offensive line coach Hank Fraley.
But Mays isn’t the only Vol celebrating a new deal. The Tennessee Titans have re-signed veteran long snapper Morgan Cox. At 39, Cox continues to excel, having earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2020 and appearing in five Pro Bowls.
As free agency heats up, expect more Tennessee alumni to secure lucrative contracts. This trend not only highlights the Vols’ ability to develop NFL-ready talent but also serves as a compelling recruiting tool for head coach Josh Heupel. When high school prospects see former Vols thriving in the league, it underscores the program’s commitment to player development and its track record of elevating talent to the professional level.