The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books. Despite being popular first-round mock selections, Tennessee football cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood remain on the board heading into day two. Joshua Josephs and Chris Brazzell will also anxiously await their selections as potential day two picks.
While those four have generated by far the most buzz, don’t count out two more pieces of Tennessee’s defensive line from last season. Bryson Eason is also considered a potential late-round pick, but now, defensive end Tyre West is apparently surging up boards.
According to a report from Arye Pulli of USA TODAY, West has emerged as a candidate to be an early day three selection by ‘over half of the league’. This means he could hear his name called as early as the fourth of seven rounds.
Sources: Tennessee DL Tyre West has generated significant interest from over half of the league as an early Day 3 player.
AdvertisementMultiple teams view him as one of the most interesting prospects in this class due to his versatility.
Had pre-draft visits with the #Jets and #Lions. pic.twitter.com/CdpOxxEKch
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) April 23, 2026
More From RTI: Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood Projected to be Early Second Round Picks on Friday
West just concluded his fourth year of college ball, all at Tennessee. At defensive end, he produced 23 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and a forced fumble in 2025. Each of these marks was a career high.
It’s his potential versatility that intrigues teams, though. While he almost solely played defensive end at UT, teams see him as someone who could slide into the interior due to his size. He was listed at 6-foot-3, 290 pounds in his senior season on Rocky Top.
Pulli also reported that the Jets and Lions were two teams that hosted him for a pre-draft visit. It was also previously reported that he had a workout with the Titans.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for full draft coverage involving the Vols this weekend.
