KNOXVILLE - All but one of the National Football League's 32 teams had a representative on the Tennessee campus today as 22 former Tennessee players went through the program's annual pro day.
Defensive back Rashaan Gaulden, running back John Kelly and defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie are leaving Tennessee after their junior seasons for the NFL draft and appear to be the most likely picks from the group who worked out today.
Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden (7) celebrates after recovering a Southern Mississippi fumble during an NCAA football game at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Kahlil McKenzieThe three ran through drills at the NFL combine earlier this month along with graduating punter Trevor Daniel.
But there are also a handful of players who were seniors on the 2017 team not invited to the combine who hope to get a shot with an NFL franchise.
The pro day event offered them an opportunity to audition.
"I wanted to show my speed," former Baylor School linebacker Colton Jumper told reporters. "That's really what a linebacker needs to have, especially these days. And I felt like I showed that. I came in and got done what needed to be done. I've been training for about two months now on this stuff, so if you don't have it by now, you're not going to have it down."
Former Tennessee kick returner and reserve safety Evan Berry worked out with wide receivers instead of defensive backs on Monday.
"I was planning on doing both earlier on, but I decided that I wanted to put my all of my focus into one thing and do that to the best of my ability without having to worry about two things at once," Berry told reporters. "I chose what I really felt comfortable with and what I really wanted to do, and that's how I narrowed it down."
Tight end Ethan Wolf played in January's East-West Shrine Game that showcases college football seniors, but he was not invited to the NFL combine even after catching 50 passes and seven touchdowns in his Tennessee career.
Today gave him another chance to prove himself.
"Each and every one of us is just trying to come out here and put all of our hard work on display," Wolf told reporters. "Again, you know more later on, but right now you just get all the reps you can. I feel like a lot of guys out here did well."
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb and on Facebook at facebook.com/volsupdate.