Tennessee’s success on the football field during Josh Heupel’s first two seasons appears to be translating into more NFL draft attention as well.
The Senior Bowl announced Monday that Volunteers senior right tackle Darnell Wright had accepted an invitation to play in the coveted all-star game, which will be held Feb. 4, 2023, at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the University of South Alabama campus in Mobile. Three other Vols — quarterback Hendon Hooker, receiver Cedric Tillman and edge rusher Byron Young — also have received Senior Bowl invites, with Young being the first to reveal that he would play.
Hooker obviously will be unable to compete due to the torn left anterior cruciate ligament he sustained late in the 63-38 loss at South Carolina on Nov. 19.
“I’m really happy and proud of the way Darnell performed on the field to earn this honor,” Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee posted on Twitter, “but more importantly the man he has continued to become every day.”
Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy responded to Elarbee’s tweet by posting, “You did a great job with Darnell. He made a huge jump this year.”