2026 NFL Scouting Combine: Draft Projection Tiers and Testing Outlook for Tennessee Invitees
- Ellie Williamson
- 8 hours ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
INDIANAPOLIS — With the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine set for Feb. 23–March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium, Tennessee will send six prospects into a week that often reshapes draft boards.
Below is a tiered projection snapshot based on positional value, recent production, and typical historical testing benchmarks at each position.
* Final draft positioning will ultimately be determined by team evaluations, medicals and interviews
For Tennessee football, this year’s combine will feature a group of former Volunteers hoping to elevate their draft standing in front of scouts from all 32 franchises.
What to Watch in Indianapolis
At the combine, prospects will take part in standard performance drills such as the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, bench press and three-cone drill, as well as position-specific exercises that help scouts assess competitive traits in real time. Medical evaluations and team interviews are often conducted privately. These times are regarded as equally important as measurable results.
For Tennessee players, the combine presents a chance to confirm positional strengths against peers from across college football and potentially boost their standing ahead of private workouts, team visits and pro days. Tennessee will have a scheduled pro day held at the Neyland Thompson Sports Complex prior to the Draft.
Broader Draft Context
The 2026 combine is seen by many NFL personnel as a key data point for clubs finalizing their draft boards. While combine performance alone won’t determine a player’s draft fate, drills and team interactions can sharpen evaluations and influence where a player is selected in April.
NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah met with media last week to preview his outlook:
“This draft class is unique in the fact that there’s a notable dropoff at multiple positions after the first tier of players, followed by a large group of prospects that are likely only separated by team preference.” - Daniel Jeremiah
For Volunteers fans and draft followers, the next week of testing in Indianapolis will offer an early glimpse into where Tennessee’s top prospects stack up against a national class.
While the combine alone will not determine a draft position, a composed and technically sharp week in Indianapolis can reinforce viability or strengthen standings. The mental component of combine week often proves as influential as the physical evaluation held there.
Tennessee Volunteers Invited to the 2026 Combine
A breakout wide receiver who topped 1,000 yards in 2025 and declared for the draft. His size, contested-catch ability and production mark him as one of Tennessee’s most visible offensive prospects.
A tight with receiving upside and positional versatility, Kitselman’s performance in Indianapolis could solidify where he lands on draft boards from Day 2 to later rounds.
Veteran interior defender with size and experience against high-level competition. The combine will test his explosiveness and athletic traits beyond what film conveys.
A versatile defensive lineman whose pass-rush flashes draw attention; his 2026 combine will highlight how his 2025 production translates against top competition.
Hood earned acclaim for his coverage skills in 2025 and enters the combine as one of the more highly ranked cornerbacks nationally, with first-round range in many mock drafts.
A top-tier defensive back whose absence last season due to a knee injury has raised questions; the combine offers a platform to reaffirm his athletic testing and readiness.
A veteran college quarterback who entered the 2026 pre-draft cycle after beginning his career at the junior college level and later transferring to the FBS ranks. He has shown the ability to distribute the ball efficiently in spread concepts and execute vertical shots when protection allows. His arm strength is considered solid but not elite relative to top-tier NFL prospects
This group reflects a range of draft profiles. It represents another chapter in Tennessee’s longstanding presence in the NFL talent pipeline.
Tier 1: Early-Round Consideration (Rounds 1–2)
Why here: Corners with length, ball production and SEC tape traditionally carry premium value.
What could elevate him: Elite testing relative to the cornerback group. Historically, top-15 corners often pair strong tape with top-quartile speed numbers.
Why here: High ceiling prospect whose medical evaluations will be pivotal.
What could elevate him: Clean medical reports plus competitive speed numbers.
Why here: Productive receiver with size and catch-point ability.
What could elevate him: Strong separation drills and fluid route-running during on-field work.
Tier 2: Day 3 Range (Rounds 4–7)
Why here: Versatility along the defensive front; teams will weigh athletic ceiling.
What could elevate him: Top-quartile explosiveness among defensive linemen.
Why here: Interior depth prospect with size and experience.
What could elevate him: Showing lateral quickness in positional drills.
Why here: Hybrid tight end with receiving upside.
What could elevate him: Versatility — lining up inline, slot and H-back during drills.
A Late Confirmation To The Combine:
Joey Aguilar | Quarterback
Quarterback Joey Aguilar enters the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine as a developmental prospect seeking to strengthen his draft profile through precision, poise and football intelligence.
For quarterbacks, the combine places greater emphasis on interviews and controlled throwing sessions than on traditional athletic testing. Aguilar’s scripted on-field workout will include timing routes, deep boundary throws and layered intermediate concepts designed to evaluate ball placement, touch and velocity. Scouts will focus on footwork efficiency, release mechanics and consistency from platform.
Equally important will be the formal team interviews conducted at Lucas Oil Stadium and surrounding meeting spaces. Quarterbacks are routinely tested on protection identification, coverage recognition and recall of offensive terminology. Teams also evaluate leadership presence, communication skills and command of situational football.
For Aguilar, key evaluation points include:
Consistent base and repeatable mechanics
Accuracy on intermediate and deep-out throws
Decision-making process during whiteboard sessions
Overall command and confidence in structured interviews
Historical Context: Combine Impact and Tennessee’s Track Record
Since becoming centralized in 1987, the combine has evolved into one of the NFL’s most influential evaluation tools. Among former Volunteers who benefited from strong combine performances:
Eric Berry — A dominant 2010 showing helped solidify his top-five draft status before becoming a multi-time Pro Bowler.
Alvin Kamara — His testing numbers reinforced his versatility, preceding a third-round selection and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Justin Coleman — Strong agility metrics aided his path to a sustained NFL career despite going undrafted.
League-wide, elite athletic testing has frequently aligned with early draft selections, particularly at premium positions such as cornerback and wide receiver. However, history also shows that interviews, medical evaluations and scheme fit carry equal weight.
What Indianapolis Means for Tennessee’s Class
For Tennessee’s 2026 invitees, the combine is less about reinventing evaluations and more about confirming them. Hood and McCoy have the most to gain in terms of early-round positioning, while Brazzell’s route precision and Josephs’ explosiveness could determine Day 2 vs. Day 3 outcomes. With the draft scheduled for April 23-25, performances inside Lucas Oil Stadium may provide the clearest early indicator of how many Volunteers hear their names called in the first two nights.
How to watch:
TPL Tennessee has hosted several of these Volunteers while on Rocky Top. Get to know them and revist their tine here: https://m.youtube.com/@TPLTennessee
Comments