Seven Tennessee players invited to 2023 NFL scouting combine

The NFL announced 319 prospects who have been invited to the 2023 NFL scouting combine. Vols Wire looks at the seven Vols who received an invite to the NFL scouting combine.

The Volunteers will have seven representatives at the 2023 NFL scouting combine.

The NFL announced 319 prospects who received invites on Wednesday. The NFL scouting combine will be held Feb. 28-March 6 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Quarterback Hendon Hooker, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, wide receiver Cedric Tillman, offensive tackle Darnell Wright, edge rusher Byron Young, punter Paxton Brooks, and linebacker Jeremy Banks will represent the Vols.

Hooker was selected as the 2022 SEC Offensive Player of the Year by USA TODAY and was an All-America selection by three different publications (CBS Sports, 247Sports, Associated Press).

Hyatt won Tennessee’s first Biletnikoff Award this season after recording 1,267 receiving yards and leading the country with 15 receiving touchdowns.

Tillman was limited in 2022 due to a high-ankle sprain, but totaled 417 receiving yards and three touchdowns in six games. His 1,081 receiving yards in 2021 rank fifth in Tennessee history.

Wright earned unanimous first-team All-SEC honors and was named a semifinalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award this season. He allowed zero sacks on over 850 snaps for the Vols as a senior.

Young finished his two-year career with the Vols with 23.5 tackles for a loss and 12.5 sacks. He earned first-team All-SEC honors this season after being named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week twice.

Banks finished his career at Tennessee with 219 total tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, three interceptions, and 10 pass breakups. He became the first Vol to finish the season with 100-plus tackles since 2015 (128 tackles in 2021).

Brooks played in over 60 career games and started four straight seasons for the Vols at punter. His career average of 42.47 yards per punt ranks sixth all-time in Tennessee history.

Tennessee makes top-16 for 4-star lineman Nigel Smith II

Tennessee offers 3-star safety Dashawn McBryde

Contact/Follow us @VolsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Tennessee news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Zach McKinnell on Twitter @zachmckinnell