Tennessee Football’s Orange & White Game has promised to feature several former Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville. One of those players is a Tennessee native who just signed a contract with the Tennessee Titans to return to his home state.
VFL and former Tennessee cornerback Alontae Taylor joined in on UT’s ‘Vol Walk’ ceremony on Saturday afternoon before the game. The Manchester, TN, native spent four seasons with the Volunteers’ program before being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 2022 NFL Draft. Taylor, a second-round selection, was the first draft pick from the Josh Heupel Era in Knoxville.
#VFL Alontae Taylor back on Rocky Top to lead Vol Walk pic.twitter.com/DjBFv92Ai7
— Emilie Rae Cochrane (@EmCochranetv) April 11, 2026
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After spending his first four years in the NFL with the Saints, Taylor was one of the hottest cornerbacks on the free agency market this offseason. He signed a 3-year, $60 million agreement to return to his home state and join the Tennessee Titans. Taylor will have $42 million guaranteed.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz’s original report stated that Taylor was “the top target for Tennessee to join Robert Salah’s defense.” Salah was hired as the Titans’ new head coach during the offseason.
Taylor originally joined Tennessee’s football program as a four-star recruit in the 2018 recruiting class. He spent four seasons with the Vols, three of which were coached by Jeremy Pruitt with the final year on Josh Heupel’s inaugural roster. During his time in Knoxville, Taylor appeared in 45 games with 31 starts, racking up 162 total tackles, five tackles for loss, four interceptions, 19 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and half a sack. He also recorded two touchdowns during his four years, with a fumble recovery in the endzone in 2018 and a pick-six against Kentucky in 2021.
The six-foot cornerback played in 64 career games with the Saints during his first four years in the league. He recorded 293 total tackles, four interceptions, seven sacks, and three forced fumbles. Taylor was a key piece of New Orleans’ secondary with 53 starts in his 64 games for the organization.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Football Orange & White Game coverage on Saturday afternoon.
