Several departed Vols find spots in the NFL
- Wyeth Wilson
- May 11, 2015
- 2 min read
Even though Tennessee’s 51-year streak of having a player drafted was brought to an end this year, several UT players have signed on as undrafted free agents or accepted invites to NFL mini-camps.
Although being drafted is the most common way to make an NFL roster, former Vols like Arian Foster and Tyler Bray have made it onto teams after going undrafted.
Here are the Vols who are currently participating in mini-camps, and what their chances of making the roster are:
Justin Coleman, Minnesota Vikings
Coleman was considered Tennessee’s best chance to extend the players drafted streak, projected as high as a fifth round pick.
He ended up being undrafted, but signed as a free agent with the Vikings shorty after the draft concluded.
He is one of 11 cornerbacks on the Vikings roster currently, and one of two rookie cornerbacks.
Coleman likely does not have a future as a starting cornerback in the NFL, but could make the Vikings’ roster as a backup, although there is lots of competition.
Matt Darr, Miami Dolphins
Darr signed as a free agent with the Dolphins after the draft which means he, as well as Coleman for the Vikings, is now included on the roster.
Darr is currently one of two punters on the Dolphins roster, with nine-year veteran Brandon Fields being the other.
Most NFL teams only keep one punter on their roster, so Fields would get the nod over Darr, but Darr will likely make it onto the Dolphins practice squad.
Marlin Lane, Miami Dolphins
Lane was one of the two Vols to accept an invite to an NFL mini-camp, but not sign as a free agent. This means that he is not on the roster right now, but will get a chance to earn a spot.
The Dolphins have five running backs on their roster right now, so Lane could compete for a practice squad spot.
With Lane and Darr, Tennessee now has five former players involved with the Miami organization.
Jordan Williams, New York Jets
Williams signed on as a free agent with the Jets, one of three Vols to sign as free agents.
Williams played as a defensive tackle during his last season at Tennessee, but he is listed as a defensive end on the Jets roster, which was his position for the majority of his UT career.
New York only has four defensive ends presently, so Williams has a good opportunity to make the roster for the Jets.
Justin Worley, Cleveland Browns
Coming off of a season ending shoulder injury, Worley accepted an invite to the Browns mini-camp.
Worley also was offered a spot at the Carolina Panthers mini-camp, but decided Cleveland was a better fit.
The Browns have four quarterbacks currently on their roster, and also have Worley and former Marshall quarterback Rakeem Cato at their rookie mini-camp.
Worley will compete in Cleveland with those quarterbacks in hopes of being signed to an undrafted free agent contract.
Former Vol note: Former Vol linebacker/fullback Channing Fugate accepted an invite to the Baltimore Ravens mini-camp.
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