Five Former Tennessee Football Players to Play in Senior Bowl on Saturday

A group of four defenders and one offensive player will represent Tennessee football on Saturday in Mobile at the Senior Bowl.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Five former Tennessee football players from the 2025 season will compete in the annual Senior Bowl on Saturday in Mobile, Alabama. The group includes defensive linemen Bryson Eason and Tyre West, defensive backs Colton Hood and Jalen McMurray, and running back Star Thomas.

Why it matters

The Senior Bowl is a prestigious all-star game that allows top college football players to showcase their talents in front of NFL scouts. Having five former Volunteers participating is a testament to the program's ability to develop talent and prepare players for the next level.

The details

The five former Tennessee players competing in the Senior Bowl are: defensive linemen Bryson Eason and Tyre West, defensive backs Colton Hood and Jalen McMurray, and running back Star Thomas. They will look to impress NFL scouts and bolster their draft stock ahead of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

  • The Senior Bowl will take place on Saturday, January 30, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
  • Tyre West was a late addition to the Senior Bowl roster, joining on Wednesday.

The players

Colton Hood

A redshirt sophomore cornerback who had 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 9 passes defended in 12 games for Tennessee in 2025.

Tyre West

A senior defensive end who recorded 23 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks in 12 games for the Volunteers in 2025.

Star Thomas

A senior running back who rushed for 596 yards and 7 touchdowns, and added 116 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, in 13 games for Tennessee in 2025.

Bryson Eason

A redshirt senior defensive tackle who had 31 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3 passes defended in 13 games for the Volunteers in 2025.

Jalen McMurray

A defensive back who played both cornerback and the STAR position for Tennessee in 2025.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Senior Bowl will be televised on the NFL Network, with former Vol Charles Davis serving as a booth analyst for the game.

The takeaway

Tennessee's strong representation at the Senior Bowl demonstrates the program's ability to develop NFL-caliber talent, which should help raise the profile of the Volunteers' football program and attract top recruits in the future.