Corey Levin got his wish.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga offensive lineman and three-time All-American was selected in the sixth round of the NFL draft Saturday by the Tennessee Titans. He becomes the first Moc drafted since Davis Tull was a fifth-round selection of the New Orleans Saints in 2015.
In addition, wide receiver C.J. Board signed a free-agent deal with the Baltimore Ravens.
Levin told the Times Free Press last week that he would love an opportunity to play in Nashville. His fiancee, Anna Beth Miller, is from the Nashville area, and Levin – a huge fan of the NHL’s Nashville Predators – said that once his playing career was over, regardless of where, he’d like to relocate to Nashville.
Now he won’t have far to go.
He projects as a guard but told Titans Online reporter Jim Wyatt that he also worked out at center during the pre-draft process.
“I know we just got rid of Chance Warmack and there’s a lot of spots on the depth chart in the interior, and I know Ben Jones is a great center that you guys got from the Texans,” Levin said. “(Taylor) Lewan is a great captain on that O-line, and there’s a lot of good guys to work with. You guys have a great culture there, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.
“I’ve grown to know (the Titans) and kind of pay close attention to them. It was one of my dreams to come and play for the Titans. That’s close to home, and everyone can come watch me play on Sundays if I put in the work and get there.”
Levin had 51 starts in his Mocs career, with 45 consecutive. Three of the top five rushing performances in UTC history came with him on the line. He was a two-time Jacobs Blocking Award winner, given to the top offensive lineman in the Southern Conference.
Board quietly ended his career as one of the top wide receivers in school history. He started 47 games and finished sixth all-time in receptions (146) and fifth in yards (2,032) and caught passes in 30 straight games, the third-longest streak in school history. He was a second-team All-SoCon selection as a receiver in 2014 and as a punt returner in 2015.
He ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash during UTC’s pro day and showed off a 39-inch vertical jump, which caught the eye of a number of scouts. He said Saturday that he liked the situation the Ravens presented him, which led to his decision.
“They were pretty consistent staying in contact with me,” Board said, “and they also present a good opportunity for me.”
Virgin to Texans
Dee Virgin, a defensive back who spent four seasons with the Mocs, signed a free-agent deal with the Houston Texans.
Virgin was a two-time All-SoCon selection at UTC. He was dismissed for a violation of team rules in the spring of 2016 and played the 2016 season at NCAA Division II member West Alabama, where he had 43 tackles (5.5 for loss) and three interceptions.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.