The Philadelphia Eagles' selection of Derek Barnett at 14th overall in Thursday's NFL draft wasn't only a life-changing experience for Barnett, it also ended a streak that was starting to make people ask why Tennessee can't produce NFL-quality talent.
For the first time in three years, the Volunteers and head coach Butch Jones heard the name of one of their own called at the draft, marking the first time a Tennessee player had been selected since Ja'Wuan James, Zach Fulton, and Daniel McCullers were picked in 2014.
It also ended a streak of no Volunteer having his name called in the first round:
| Year | Name | Position | Overall Pick | Drafting Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Derek Barnett | DE | No. 14 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2014 | Ja'Wuan James | OT | No. 19 | Miami Dolphins |
| 2013 | Cordarrelle Patterson | WR | No. 29 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2010 | Eric Berry | DB | No. 5 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2010 | Dan Williams | DT | No. 26 | Arizona Cardinals |
| 2009 | Robert Ayers | DE | No. 18 | Denver Broncos |
| 2008 | Jerod Mayo | LB | No. 10 | New England Patriots |
| 2007 | Justin Harrell | DT | No. 16 | Green Bay Packers |
| 2007 | Robert Meachem | WR | No. 27 | New Orleans Saints |
| 2006 | Jason Allen | DB | No. 16 | Miami Dolphins |
| 2002 | John Henderson | DT | No. 9 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2002 | Donte Stallworth | WR | No. 13 | New Orleans Saints |
| 2002 | Albert Haynesworth | DT | No. 15 | Tennessee Titans |
Since 2002, when the Volunteers were all over the draft board early with three players taken in the first round, Tennessee has only seen eight total players selected in the initial stages prior to Barnett.
For a program with the history and notoriety that Tennessee boasts, an absence of NFL draft-worthy players is unusual. There could be a number of reasons why players weren't selected in the last two drafts, whether it was due to weaker recruiting executed by the previous staff, or players simply deciding to take their talents elsewhere instead of finishing their careers as a Volunteer.
This year may turn the tide for Tennessee, however. Running back Alvin Kamara, defensive back Cameron Sutton, and wide receiver Josh Malone could all be taken within the first three rounds, while quarterback Joshua Dobbs, tight end Jason Croom, and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin also have an outside chance to be plucked by NFL teams.
Barnett fell just four picks short of becoming the third Tennessee defensive end to be selected in the top 10. Reggie White (No. 4, 1992) and Steve DeLong (No. 6, 1965) are the only two to have gone that high.
