Kahlil McKenzie drafted by St. Louis

Former Vol Kahlil McKenzie drafted by St. Louis.

The United Football League held its super dispersal draft.

Former Vol Kahlil McKenzie was drafted in the seventh-round as an offensive lineman by the St. Louis Battlehawks.

He played for the Vols from 2015-17.

He was a sixth-round selection (No. 198 overall) in the 2018 NFL draft by Kansas City. McKenzie also played for Cincinnati (2020) and Baltimore (2021-22) in the NFL.

He played for the XFL’s Los Angeles Wildcats (2020) and Vegas Vipers (2022).

Players selected in the super dispersal draft will have an opportunity to be amongst 75 roster spots allotted to each team for training camp, which begins Feb. 24 in Arlington, Texas.

The 2024 season is the first for the UFL. The UFL formed after the United States Football League and XFL merged in Nov. 2023.

UFL’s 2024 season will kick off on March 30 between Birmingham (2023 USFL champion) and Arlington (2023 XFL champion). The season will feature eight teams, 40 regular-season games and three postseason contests.

ABC, ESPN, Fox and FS1 are UFL’s television partners.

Highest rated football recruits in Tennessee history

A look at the highest rated recruits in Tennessee football history.

Third-year head coach Josh Heupel is on pace for a top 10 2024 recruiting class.

Tennessee has 19 commitments for its 2024 recruiting class ahead of the upcoming season. The Vols’ 2024 class ranks No. 8 nationally and No. 5 in the Southeastern Conference.

Tennessee’s 2024 recruiting class is headlined by five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews. Matthews ranks as the No. 13 overall prospect in 2024. He is the Vols’ ninth-highest rated commit all time.

PHOTOS: Tennessee football head coaches through the years

Prior to the 2023 season, Vols Wire looks at Tennessee’s highest rated recruits all time. The list below excludes players who committed to Tennessee and did not sign with the Vols.

Chiefs RG Trey Smith recalls his NFL draft experience

#Chiefs RG Trey Smith recalled his stressful NFL draft experience back in 2021 on a recent podcast appearance. | from @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line has gone through an upgrade over the past two seasons since the disastrous finish to the 2020 NFL season in Super Bowl LV. Each addition, whether in the draft or free agency, has impacted the team’s success since and will continue to impact the team as they pursue another Lombardi Trophy in 2023.

Chiefs RG Trey Smith continues to improve as a starter and has overcome adversity early in his career to get to this point. Smith was recently a guest on the “For the Record” podcast with host Tennessee Volunteer and former Chiefs draft pick Kahlil McKenzie to discuss the moment he was drafted.

“My agent and I were thinking probably the third round latest, blah, blah,”  said Smith. “Never get a call. So now I’m freaking out, my man; ‘Maybe my medical history has made it to where I’ll never play in the league. They’ll never give me a shot,’ and (my agent is) like, ‘Dude, just chill out. Stay calm.’ Look at Creed (Humphrey). Like he just landed in Kansas City, a great spot, great organization, like everything will probably work out. You’re gonna be fine. Five minutes later, I’m not even kidding. I get a call from Kansas City. I’m like, ‘Why are they calling me?’ Because I always thought I was gonna go to another team.”

In 2018, Smith was diagnosed with a blood clot condition in his lungs, leading to many concerns during the 2021 NFL draft from teams who could select him. The Chiefs were one of the few teams that were comfortable and confident in his health.

“I’ve already worked this out; you’re wasting my time and this point. He’s like, ‘We’re gonna make you the newest member of the Kansas City Chiefs,’” said Smith. “I’m like, ‘Whoa.’ It didn’t really hit. And so Clark Hunt got on the phone. He’s,like, ‘Really welcome. We’re happy to have you here. Add you as a piece. Blah, blah.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, so now I need to lock in with Coach Reid, obviously, Coach Heck.’ So like, after that moment, OK. I just wanted to study the Chiefs, like I watched him win the Super Bowl in 2019 as a student worker at Tennessee.”

Smith was drafted in the sixth round and has since been healthy and viewed as one of the steals of that year’s draft. He’s embraced the Kansas City community over his two seasons with the Chiefs.

“Being able to play there, the city of Kansas City, like, honestly, it’s a perfect fit,” said Smith. “It’s not too big to where it’s almost overwhelming. I can get away. It’s great. I’m a people person. So my Interactions matter on a daily day-to-day basis. If I walk into a gas station, I open the door; ‘I want to thank you’ or like, you know, just saying what’s up. The people on the street, the people are very nice and courteous, but like, I love Kansas City, man. And I think I couldn’t have landed in a better spot and especially early in my career to develop.”

The Chiefs are constantly improving the team in the draft, and heading into 2023, adding another offensive lineman is on the table. Smith has earned his starter’s status with his performance and could be on track for a future Pro Bowl or All-Pro selection for Kansas City.

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Chiefs RG Trey Smith reflected on journey to Super Bowl LVII victory with Kahlil McKenzie

Trey Smith reflected on the journey to Super Bowl LVII’s win during an appearance on former #Chiefs draft pick Kahlil McKenzie’s “For the Record” podcast. | from @EdEastonJr

The young players added in the draft over the last few seasons have been vital to the Kansas City Chiefs’ success. The vision of both general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid has aligned promising talent with proven veterans, leading to Super Bowl success.

Chiefs RG Trey Smith has become a steady force in protecting Patrick Mahomes and clearing paths for big plays in the run game. The University of Tennessee standout was recently a guest on the “For the Record” podcast with host, Tennessee Volunteer, and former Chiefs draft pick Kahlil McKenzie to discuss the Chiefs’ mindset heading into the 2022 NFL season.

“Going to the Chiefs this past year, being able to play in that organization and being able to sort of see that championship culture,” said Smith. “So when I first got there, obviously the first year, we didn’t win it. This past year we did. But you know, listen to EB (Eric Bieniemy), like, I remember, one of the first days we get there, he talks about the championship standard and our ultimate goals: Win the AFC, get home field advantage, go win the Super Bowl.”

Smith has started 33-of-33 possible games he’s been eligible for with the Chiefs in his two seasons in the NFL. He’s immediately impacted and improved the offensive line alongside Pro Bowl veterans.

“Hearing those things, talking about it, and then bringing it to fruition where it’s like, ‘OK, no matter what happens, we have the same goal, same focus in mind that we’re trying to get to,” said Smith. “It was so cool seeing all that like come together, being able to win the Super Bowl. It’s like, dude, in all my years of sports, I’ve never won a championship. And I would always tell my friends, I’m like, ‘Yeah, man, I’ve been playing all this time. I haven’t won anything. Not middle school, like I hadn’t won a thing. So like to get a Super Bowl, man. It was like it all came together, and being able to see my family, my pops, my sister, my girl, you know? It was awesome.”

Smith was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team in 2021 and has progressed well throughout his tenure in Kansas City. Rest assured that he’s not satisfied with a single championship. The mindset to win every season being instilled into the roster from Day 1 is a clear message to anyone joining the team this offseason that Super Bowl titles are the only goal.

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Ravens release former Vols’ guard

Baltimore Ravens release former Vols’ guard.

Baltimore released former Vol guard Kahlil McKenzie.

He was released as the Ravens finalized their 53-man active roster ahead of the 2022 season.

McKenzie played for the Vols from 2015-17.

McKenzie was selected by Kansas City in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft (No. 198 overall).

He entered the NFL as a defensive tackle and moved to the offensive line.

McKenzie signed with the Ravens’ practice squad Sept. 8, 2021 and was elevated to its active roster as a COVID-19 replacement.

McKenzie has recorded 11 tackles as a defensive lineman with Kansas City and Cincinnati during his NFL career.

NFL preseason Week 3: Former Tennessee Vols’ stats

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Ravens sign eight players to Reserve/Future deals

The Ravens signed eight players to Reserve/Future deals

The Baltimore Ravens have begun their 2022 offseason after finishing 2021 8-9 and missing the postseason for the first time since 2017. Their 16-13 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers was a disappointing end to a very trying year, but now Baltimore has the opportunity to get better and come back stronger next season.

On Monday, the Ravens announced that they had signed eight players to Reserve/Future deals in wide receivers Binjimen Victor and Jaylon Moore, tight end Tony Poljan, center James Murray, tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith, guard/defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie, and defensive backs Robert Jackson and Kevin Toliver.

Reserve/Future deals don’t count against the salary cap until the new league year begins. Some of the players signed played in key moments for Baltimore in 2021, including Jackson, who was called upon multiple times due to the fact that the Ravens’ secondary was so decimated.

Players signed to Reserve/Future deals last offseason included quarterback Tyler Huntley and cornerback Chris Westry.

Ravens protect four players on practice squad ahead of Week 18

The Ravens protected four players on their practice squad ahead of their Week 18 matchup with the Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens have gotten plenty of solid contributions from their practice squad over the course of the 2021 season. They’ve needed to rely on their practice squad more than some teams, as they’ve dealt with countless injuries as well as a COVID-19 outbreak.

On Tuesday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic put out who Baltimore protected from their practice squad ahead of their Week 18 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The four that the team ended up protecting are tight end Tony Poljan, guard/defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie, defensive tackle Isaiah Mack and defensive back Robert Jackson.

Poljan could be called up as tight end depth, although the team does already have Mark Andrews, Nick Boyle and Josh Oliver at the position. McKenzie has positional versatility, being able to play at guard and defensive tackle, while Mack had a great game in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals when called upon. Jackson has been called up multiple times to help in the secondary, playing significant snaps during some games.

Ravens make three practice squad moves on Tuesday, protect four players ahead of Week 17

The Ravens made three moves relating to their practice squad on Tuesday while also protecting four other players

The Baltimore Ravens have needed to find needless contributors from their practice squad over the course of the 2021 season. Injuries, COVID and even more have decimated the Baltimore roster, so they’ve needed to find other ways to put players out on the field.

On Tuesday, the Ravens made three practice squad moves in adding center James Murray to the group while releasing quarterback Kenji Bahar and defensive back Blake Countess. They also protected offensive tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith, defensive lineman Kahlil McKenzie and Isaiah Mack, as well as defensive back Robert Jackson.

Murray worked out for Baltimore last week, and now finds himself in Baltimore. Bahar was signed in an emergency situation, and has been in and out of the Ravens’ organization countless times over the course of the year. Countess signed with the team a few weeks ago.

Jones-Smith would provide some offensive tackle depth for the Baltimore offense, while both McKenzie and Mack played some good snaps against the Cincinnati Bengals. Jackson has been relied upon to play a lot in a decimated secondary, so him being protected is not surprising.

Ravens protect four players on practice squad ahead of Week 16

The Ravens protected four players on their practice squad ahead of their Week 16 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals

The Baltimore Ravens have relied on their practice squad in a big way during the 2021 season. They have needed players to step up with so many injuries and they’ve done just that, providing quality snaps.

On Tuesday, the Ravens protected four players from their practice squad in offensive tackle David Sharpe, guard/defensive lineman Kahlil McKenzie, inside linebacker Joe Thomas and cornerback Robert Jackson. Each will be key in providing depth if called up for Baltimore’s Week 16 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Ravens protect four players on practice squad ahead of Week 13

The Ravens protected four players on their practice squad ahead of their Week 13 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens have done plenty of practice squad shuffling over the course of the 2021 season. They have used their elevations every week in order to get more contributors onto their roster for game day, and they have paid off, sometimes in a big way.

On Tuesday, Baltimore protected four players on their practice squad ahead of their Week 13 game with the Pittsburgh Steelers in quarterback Chris Streveler, offensive lineman David Sharpe, guard/defensive lineman Kahlil McKenzie, and defensive back Kevin Toliver.

Streveler was signed to the Ravens’ practice squad on Monday in place of fellow quarterback Kenji Bahar. Sharpe and McKenzie can provide some offensive line depth, with McKenzie also being able to play defensive line. Toliver could be a key piece in the secondary depending on how thin they are at the position come Sunday.