Tennessee Football's Pro Day Showcases Talent and Resilience

Coach Josh Heupel praises Vols players' performances and development ahead of the NFL Draft

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:37pm

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Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel spoke highly of his players' performances at the team's Pro Day on Tuesday, highlighting the growth and resilience of standouts like Jermod McCoy and Chris Brazzell II. Heupel discussed the program's ability to develop players and prepare them for the next level, noting the NFL's appreciation for the accountability and consistency instilled in Vols athletes.

Why it matters

Tennessee's Pro Day showcases the program's talent pipeline and its ability to transform players through its developmental approach. The success of Vols athletes transitioning to the NFL helps bolster the team's recruiting efforts, particularly in the transfer portal, as prospective players see the program's track record of preparing players for professional careers.

The details

Heupel praised the performances of several Vols players, including cornerback Jermod McCoy, who returned to the field after tearing his ACL more than a year ago, and quarterback Joey Aguilar, who threw well despite recent surgery. The coach also highlighted the impact of players like Colton Hood, who made the most of his one season with the Vols. Heupel emphasized the program's focus on accountability, football knowledge, and player development, which he believes sets Tennessee players up for success in the NFL.

  • Tennessee hosted its annual Pro Day on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
  • Alvin Kamara, a former Tennessee player, was back with the team on Monday, March 30, 2026.

The players

Jermod McCory

A Tennessee cornerback who returned to the field after tearing his ACL more than a year ago and performed well at Pro Day.

Joey Aguilar

A Tennessee quarterback who threw well at Pro Day despite recent surgery, with Heupel noting his best is still to come in the rehab process.

Colton Hood

A Tennessee player who made an impact in his one season with the Vols, with Heupel praising his approach and competitiveness.

Chris Brazzell II

A Tennessee player whose physical traits and play-making ability have him well-positioned for the NFL, according to Heupel.

Alvin Kamara

A former Tennessee player who was back with the team on the day before Pro Day, exemplifying the program's culture of players returning to pay it forward.

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What they’re saying

“Pro Day, it's a great time to see our guys kind of culminate and finish a career. Fourteen guys, their families, back here inside of our building. A lot of fun to see them go execute and compete and perform the way that they did today.”

— Josh Heupel, Tennessee Football Head Coach

“Looked like Jermod out there today. From his 40 to vertical jump, did a great job testing, which we all anticipated. Great to see him back at 100%. And dealing with the adversity of last year and everything that he had to do to get back, just really proud of how he handled that process.”

— Josh Heupel, Tennessee Football Head Coach

“We appreciate Colton being a part of this team and this program, too. An athlete that does it the right way. Coming in in May, learning what we're doing, learning what it means to be a Vol on a day-to-day basis, but then also how he impacted the guys around him. He's smart, tough, relentless competitor that cares about the people around him.”

— Josh Heupel, Tennessee Football Head Coach

What’s next

The NFL Draft will take place in the coming weeks, where Tennessee's pro prospects will look to hear their names called and continue their football careers at the professional level.

The takeaway

Tennessee's Pro Day showcased the program's ability to develop well-rounded players who embody the Vols' values of accountability, competitiveness, and team-first mentality. This track record of preparing athletes for the next level is a key asset in the program's recruiting efforts, particularly in the transfer portal, as prospective players see the benefits of joining the Tennessee football family.