Progress Reports for the 2023 Vols Draft Class
By Clayton Kilgore
It’s getting closer.
NFL training camps are underway, college teams are reporting to fall camp, and there’s live tackle football tomorrow. Indeed, my friends, football is getting closer with every passing day.
What better time to catch up with some of the former Vols that now represent the Power T at the next level?
First, some numbers to digest: In back-to-back drafts (2015 and 2016) zero Tennessee players were picked. In 2019, zero picks. The football program was in… a different place. It wasn’t great for a stretch, but what didn’t kill us has made us stronger.
Progress was made as two names were called in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Finally, the levee broke in 2022 and five Vols were selected.
The following April, five more Vols were picked for the second consecutive year. Ten draft picks in two years - Vols in the NFL are officially a thing again.
That brings us to the aforementioned five players from 2023’s draft class entering their second season in the NFL.
With an entire year of experience under their belt, we’ll take a look at where they are, how they fared as rookies, and their outlook moving forward.
Darnell Wright- Round 1, 10th overall to the Chicago Bears
Credit: Bears Talk
This was an automatic “plug & play” pick from the jump.
It wasn’t an especially savory landing spot last year as the Chicago offense sputtered at times, but Wright was rock steady nonetheless.
He started all 17 games, allowing 7 sacks and being named to the NFL All Rookie Team. Now he’s tasked with protecting 2024’s newest first round selection and future of the franchise, Caleb Williams.
The Bears committed to their offense this offseason, adding a number of new weapons in Keenan Allen, D’Andre Swift, and Rome Odunze, so there’s plenty to be excited about.
Darnell’s Instagram handle is hilariously accurate (@darnell_is_a_baller) and he’s locked in as the anchor on the right side of the offensive line again in 2024.
Hendon Hooker- Round 3, 68th overall to the Detroit Lions
Credit: Pride of Detroit
Coming off a knee injury, his draft stock took a bit of a hit, but he was still the 5th quarterback off the board and the Lions saw something in him that they liked. He was always intended to rehab his knee, back up Jared Goff, and get to 100% during his rookie season.
The most recent reports are that he was dealing with a dislocated ring finger on his throwing hand during spring OTAs and that was negatively affecting his passing.
There’s still no NFL action to report on as of right now, but if he can stay healthy, he should be QB2 in Detroit again in 2024 barring any other surprises.
Jalin Hyatt- Round 3, 73rd overall to the New York Giants
Credit: Los Angeles Rams PR
Byron Young fits the mold of a hybrid edge/linebacker with elite speed and versatility. At 6’5” 250 lbs. running a 4.43 forty yard dash, the Rams had what they wanted and his preseason play was enough to earn him a starting spot.
He capitalized on the opportunity and played a whopping 85% of defensive snaps as a rookie, starting 16 games and finishing with 8 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and 42 solo tackles.
Without Aaron Donald around to occupy blockers in 2024, Byron Young will have to step up but he’s a fixture on their defensive line for the foreseeable future.
