It was announced on Wednesday afternoon that three players from Tennessee were invited to the 2021 NFL combine. This year’s combine will look completely different than in previous years, but the opportunity to get in front of NFL teams is key.
Trey Smith, Josh Palmer and Bryce Thompson will take part in the virtual event this year. Smith and Palmer already had an opportunity to meet with teams at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama last month. Thankfully for the players who won’t be working out in front of teams in Indianapolis, the March 25 pro day will turn into their pro day.
The interviews and psychological testing will take place virtually, with some limited in-person medical exams taking place. As NFL teams descend upon college campuses around the country over the next four weeks, the schools will make their pro days feel just as much like the combine as possible. The NFL is also helping out with schools putting on the events. This will be beneficial for the players not invited to the combine this year, like Brandon Kennedy, who will have the same opportunity to showcase his skills in Knoxville.
NFL teams will be able to give medical testing, be available for timing and watch drills at each particular pro day, but nothing before then. This is why the Senior Bowl was so important this year, as it gave each team the opportunity to watch players up close, get their full measurements and run medical tests.
Also this year, college teams are only allowed to have a maximum of five players that schools would classify as “designated underclassmen,” according to a memo sent out to each NFL team and university about the events.
Tennessee is scheduled to hold its pro day on March 25, which is the same day teams like Penn State and Ole Miss will hold theirs.
