Five Former Tennessee Football Players Compete in 2026 Senior Bowl

The annual all-star game features some of the top upperclassmen in the country ahead of the NFL Draft.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 10:31am

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Five former Tennessee football players will compete in the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl this Saturday in Mobile, Alabama. The group represents the second-most players from any program in the country and the most UT representatives since 2002. The Tennessee players competing are cornerback Colton Hood, defensive tackle Bryson Eason, defensive back Jalen McMurray, defensive end Tyre West, and running back Star Thomas.

Why it matters

The Senior Bowl is a key part of the NFL Draft evaluation process, allowing top college players to showcase their talents in front of pro scouts. Tennessee's strong representation in the game highlights the program's ability to develop NFL-caliber talent, which can help boost the Volunteers' recruiting efforts and national profile.

The details

The five Tennessee players will compete for the 'National' team in the Senior Bowl. Cornerback Colton Hood had 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 9 passes defended in 2025. Defensive tackle Bryson Eason recorded 31 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3 passes defended last season. Defensive back Jalen McMurray, defensive end Tyre West, and running back Star Thomas round out the Volunteer contingent.

  • The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. CT.

The players

Colton Hood

A redshirt sophomore cornerback from McDonough, Georgia who had 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 9 passes defended in 2025.

Bryson Eason

A redshirt senior defensive tackle from Memphis, Tennessee who recorded 31 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3 passes defended in 2025.

Jalen McMurray

A defensive back from Tennessee who will compete for the National team in the 2026 Senior Bowl.

Tyre West

A senior defensive end from Tifton, Georgia who had 23 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks in 2025.

Star Thomas

A senior running back from Homer, Louisiana who rushed for 596 yards and 7 touchdowns while adding 116 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns in 2025.

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What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in late April, several months after the Senior Bowl, giving scouts and teams additional time to evaluate the prospects who participated in the all-star game.

The takeaway

Tennessee's strong representation in the 2026 Senior Bowl, with five former players competing, highlights the program's ability to develop NFL-caliber talent. This exposure can help boost the Volunteers' recruiting efforts and national profile as they look to continue their success on the field.