With 13 weeks of NFL action in the books, a host of former Tennessee Volunteers are making their presence felt across the league. From clutch touchdowns to disruptive plays in the trenches, the VFL (Vol For Life) pipeline continues to churn out impact players. Let’s take a look around the league and break down how each Tennessee alum performed in Week 13.
Derek Barnett - DE, Texans
UT: 2014-16 | NFL: Year 9
at Colts - W 20-16
Barnett logged a tackle for loss in Houston’s win over the Colts, showing he can still flash that burst off the edge.
While his role has shifted over the years, the veteran defensive end remains a savvy rotational piece who knows how to pick his spots and make an impact.
Matthew Butler - DT, Dolphins
UT: 2017-21 | NFL: Year 4
vs. Saints - W 21-17
Butler didn’t see the field this week, but Miami’s defensive front held strong in a tight win over New Orleans.
Morgan Cox - LS, Titans
UT: 2005-09 | NFL: Year 16
vs. Jaguars - L 25-3
The longtime long snapper continues to be a model of consistency, even in a tough loss for Tennessee. At this point in his career, Cox is one of the most experienced specialists in the league.
Josh Dobbs - QB, Patriots
UT: 2013-16 | NFL: Year 9
vs. Giants (MNF) - W 33-15
Dobbs didn’t suit up this week, but the Patriots cruised to a Monday night win without needing his services.
Kamal Hadden - CB, Packers
UT: 2021-23 | NFL: Year 2
vs. Lions (Thanksgiving) - W 31-24
Hadden was inactive, but Green Bay’s secondary held up in a big-time holiday win over their division rivals.
Jalin Hyatt - WR, Giants
UT: 2020-22 | NFL: Year 3
at Patriots (MNF) - L 33-15
Hyatt didn’t play in the Monday night matchup, as the Giants’ offense struggled to find rhythm.
Theo Jackson - S, Vikings
UT: 2017-21 | NFL: Year 4
at Seahawks - L 26-0
Jackson missed the game due to injury, as Minnesota’s defense had a rough outing in Seattle.
Jauan Jennings - WR, 49ers
UT: 2015-19 | NFL: Year 5
at Browns - W 26-8
Jennings made the most of his touches, hauling in four catches for 39 yards and a touchdown.
The score came at a pivotal moment and showcased exactly what Jennings brings to the table - physicality, toughness, and a knack for making plays when they matter most. He continues to be a reliable third-down and red zone option in San Francisco’s loaded offense.
Velus Jones Jr. - RB, Seahawks
UT: 2020-21 | NFL: Year 4
vs. Vikings - W 26-0
Jones didn’t see the field this week, but Seattle rolled to a dominant shutout win.
Alvin Kamara - RB, Saints
UT: 2015-16 | NFL: Year 9
at Dolphins - L 21-17
Kamara was sidelined with an injury, and the Saints missed his dynamic presence out of the backfield in a close loss.
Cade Mays - IOL, Panthers
UT: 2020-21 | NFL: Year 4
vs. Rams - W 31-28
Mays was unavailable due to injury, as Carolina pulled off a tight win.
Jaylen McCollough - S, Rams
UT: 2019-23 | NFL: Year 2
at Panthers - L 31-28
McCollough made his presence known with five tackles, including two solo stops.
He’s finding his footing in the Rams’ secondary and showing he can contribute in the run game and in coverage.
Joe Milton III - QB, Cowboys
UT: 2021-23 | NFL: Year 2
vs. Chiefs (Thanksgiving) - W 31-28
Milton didn’t play, but the Cowboys came out on top in a Thanksgiving thriller.
Omarr Norman-Lott - DT, Chiefs
UT: 2023-24 | NFL: Year 1
at Cowboys (Thanksgiving) - L 31-28
Norman-Lott remains out for the season due to injury.
Josh Palmer - WR, Bills
UT: 2017-20 | NFL: Year 5
at Steelers - W 26-7
Palmer didn’t suit up due to injury, but Buffalo’s offense didn’t miss a beat in a convincing win.
James Pearce Jr. - OLB, Falcons
UT: 2022-24 | NFL: Year 1
at Jets - L 27-24
Pearce continues to shine in his rookie campaign.
He racked up two tackles - both solo - and added a sack, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit. That’s the kind of stat line that jumps off the page, and it’s clear the Falcons have something special in the young pass rusher.
His speed off the edge is already giving opposing tackles fits.
Dylan Sampson - RB, Browns
UT: 2022-24 | NFL: Year 1
vs. 49ers - L 26-8
Sampson saw limited action but made the most of it, rushing four times for 23 yards.
He’s showing flashes of the burst and vision that made him a standout in Knoxville.
Elijah Simmons - DT, Buccaneers
UT: 2019-24 | NFL: Year 1
vs. Cardinals - W 20-17
Simmons was sidelined with an injury as Tampa Bay edged out Arizona.
Trey Smith - OG, Chiefs
UT: 2017-20 | NFL: Year 5
at Cowboys (Thanksgiving) - L 31-28
Smith was inactive due to injury, a tough blow for a Kansas City offensive line that could’ve used his physicality in a close loss.
Alontae Taylor - CB, Saints
UT: 2018-21 | NFL: Year 4
at Dolphins - L 21-17
Taylor recorded two solo tackles in a hard-fought loss.
He’s been a steady presence in New Orleans’ secondary and continues to bring physicality and range to the back end.
Darrell Taylor - OLB, Texans
UT: 2015-19 | NFL: Year 5
at Colts - W 20-16
Taylor didn’t play due to injury, but Houston’s defense held strong in a gritty divisional win.
Dont’e Thornton Jr. - WR, Raiders
UT: 2023-24 | NFL: Year 1
at Chargers - L 31-14
Thornton hauled in one catch for 11 yards.
It’s a small step, but the rookie wideout is starting to carve out a role in Las Vegas.
Cedric Tillman - WR, Browns
UT: 2018-22 | NFL: Year 3
vs. 49ers - L 26-8
Tillman was targeted once but didn’t record a catch in a tough outing for Cleveland’s offense.
Shy Tuttle - DT, Titans
UT: 2015-18 | NFL: Year 7
vs. Jaguars - L 25-3
Tuttle missed the game due to injury as the Titans struggled to contain Jacksonville’s ground game.
Darnell Wright - OT, Bears
UT: 2019-22 | NFL: Year 3
at Eagles (Friday) - W 24-15
Wright was a workhorse at right tackle, logging 87 snaps and earning a solid 73.7 PFF grade.
That’s the kind of performance that anchors an offensive line. He’s quickly becoming a cornerstone piece in Chicago’s rebuild.
Jaylen Wright - RB, Dolphins
UT: 2021-23 | NFL: Year 2
vs. Saints - W 21-17
Wright got a few touches and picked up 16 yards on three carries. He brings a change-of-pace element to Miami’s backfield and continues to develop in a crowded rotation.
Byron Young - OLB, Rams
UT: 2021-22 | NFL: Year 3
at Panthers - L 31-28
Young had a monster day: eight tackles, five of them solo, plus a sack, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback