paxton brooks – Syndication Server

Paxton Brooks to play for DC Defenders

Former Vol Paxton Brooks to play for DC Defenders.

Former Tennessee punter Paxton Brooks will for the DC Defenders of the United Football League.

Brooks played for the Vols from 2018-22, serving as a punter and kickoff specialist under head coaches Jeremy Pruitt and Josh Heupel.

Brooks, a native of Lexington, South Carolina, was a four-year starter for Tennessee. He played 61 games and averaged 42.23 yards per punt, which ranks eighth all-time in the SEC.

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 begins March 30 as Birmingham (2023 USFL champion) plays Arlington (2023 XFL champion).

The UFL has eight teams in 2024, featuring 40 regular-season games and three postseason contests.

READ: Former Vols on 2024 UFL rosters

Former Vol signs letter of intent with XFL

Former Vol signs letter of intent to play in the XFL.

Former Tennessee kicker and punter Paxton Brooks signed a letter of intent to play in the XFL during the upcoming season.

Brooks played for the Vols from 2018-22 for head coaches Jeremy Pruitt and Josh Heupel. He came to Tennessee from Airport High School in West Columbia, South Carolina.

Brooks was invited to the 2023 National Football League scouting combine.

He was a four-time member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll and a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2022 at Tennessee.

Brooks appeared in 61 games for the Vols. He averaged 42.3 yards per punt, ranking eighth all time in program history.

Tennessee football’s free agent signings tracker after 2023 NFL draft

Tennessee football’s free agent signings tracker after the 2023 NFL draft.

The 2023 NFL draft was held Thursday-Saturday in the plaza outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.

Five former Vols were selected in the 2023 NFL draft.

Tennessee football’s 2023 NFL draft picks:

Round 1 (No. 10 overall), Darnell Wright, offensive line, Chicago Bears
Round 3 (No. 68 overall), Hendon Hooker, quarterback, Detroit Lions
Round 3 (No. 73 overall), Jalin Hyatt, wide receiver, New York Giants
Round 3 (No. 74 overall), Cedric Tillman, wide receiver, Cleveland Browns
Round 3 (No. 77 overall), Byron Young, edge rusher, Los Angeles Rams

Following the 2023 NFL draft, 384 Tennessee players have been selected all time, dating to 1936.

Below are Tennessee players who were not selected in the 2023 NFL draft and signed undrafted free agent contracts.

PHOTOS: Former Vols at the 2023 NFL scouting combine

PHOTOS: A look at former Vols at the 2023 NFL scouting combine

Seven former Vols participated in the 2023 NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Quarterback Hendon Hooker, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, wide receiver Cedric Tillman, offensive tackle Darnell Wright, edge rusher Byron Young, linebacker Jeremy Banks and punter Paxton Brooks were the seven representatives for Tennessee.

Young earned NFL scouting combine top performer honors from USA TODAY after ranking top-two among edge rushers in multiple drills. Banks was named to the 2023 All-Combine Team for NFL.com, while Wright was named an honorable mention.

Hyatt posted the best broad jump (11’3″) among all wide receivers and ranked third-best among all participants at the 2023 NFL scouting combine. His 4.40-second 40-yard dash was top-15 among all positions at the NFL scouting combine.

Below are photos of the seven former Tennessee players at the 2023 NFL scouting combine.

2023 NFL scouting combine: Schedule for seven Vols

2023 NFL scouting combine: A look at the schedule for seven Vols

The 2023 NFL scouting combine is taking place Feb. 28-March 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Wright and Hyatt have received first-round NFL draft projections throughout the offseason. Young and Wright both participated in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, while Banks competed in the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Prospects next opportunity to workout for scouts will be at Tennessee’s pro day in Knoxville, Tennessee on March 30.

A look back at Josh Heupel preparing for the 2001 NFL draft

Below is the schedule for each of the seven Tennessee representatives at the 2023 NFL scouting combine.

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

Paxton Brooks accepts 2023 NFL scouting combine invitation

Tennessee’s Paxton Brooks accepts 2023 NFL scouting combine invitation.

Tennessee punter and kicker Paxton Brooks accepted an invitation to take part in the 2023 NFL scouting combine.

“I’m very proud to announce that I have accepted an invitation to the 2023 NFL scouting combine,” Brooks announced.

The NFL scouting combine will take place Feb. 26-March 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Brooks played for the Vols from 2018-22.

He appeared in 61 games, recording 6,900 yards on 163 punt attempts. Brooks recorded 32 punts for 50-plus yards, 58 inside the 20-yard line, 68 fair catches and averaged 42.3 yards per punt.

Brooks recorded 258 kickoffs for 15,604 yards, 126 touchbacks and six out-of-bound kicks.

The 6-foot-6, 201-pound Brooks came to Tennessee from Airport High School in West Columbia, South Carolina.

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Paxton Brooks named to Ray Guy Award preseason watch list

Paxton Brooks named to Ray Guy Award preseason watch list.

Tennessee redshirt senior punter Paxton Brooks has been named to the Ray Guy Award preseason watch list.

Brooks is one of 49 players named to the list for the honor that is awarded to the best punter in the FBS and presented by the Augusta Sports Council.

Brooks has been the Vols’ starting punter for four consecutive years. He has appeared in 48 games for Tennessee and averages 43.3 yards per punt, which ranks third all-time in program history.

In 2022, Brooks ranked eighth in the SEC in punting average (44.0) and recorded 11 punts over 50 yards.

He recorded a career-best 64-yard punt in 2021 against Bowling Green.

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Trio of Vols earn preseason All-SEC honors from coaches

Trio of Vols earn preseason All-SEC honors from coaches.

Tennessee will kick off its 2021 season on Sept. 2 against Bowling Green at Neyland Stadium.

Ahead of the Vols’ season-opening contest, three Tennessee student-athletes earned preseason honors from the Southeastern Conference.

Offensive lineman Cade Mays (first team), punter Paxton Brooks (second team) and defensive back Alontae Taylor (third team) were selected by the SEC’s 14 head coaches. Mays, Brooks and Taylor also earned preseason All-SEC honors by media during SEC media days in July.

Kickoff for the Vols’ season-opening game against Bowling Green is slated for 8 p.m. EDT. SEC Network will televise the matchup.

Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers and Cole Cubelic will be on SEC Network’s broadcast crew for the Tennessee-Bowling Green game.

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2021 Orange & White Game: Game balls

Tennessee concluded spring football practices with its annual Chevrolet Orange & White Game Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Orange defeated White, 42-37.

Following the contest, Vols Wire issued game balls to top performers on offense, defense and special teams.

NEXT: Game ball for offense

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