The NFL season now has two weeks in the books, with a good number of former Tennessee football standouts making impacts for their teams. This included strong showings from all the rookies, a great game from Byron Young, a Cedric Tillman circus catch for a touchdown and more.
With three rookies making their debut a week ago, this week also gave the chance for Omarr Norman-Lott to get in the fold. He recorded his first sack, taking down Jalen Hurts on Sunday night football against the Eagles.
Here’s a player-by-player view of how every Tennessee football alum did.
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DE Derek Barnett – Texans
- At UT: 2014-16
- Years in NFL: 9
- vs. Buccaneers, 20-19 L
- 2 QBH
DT Matthew Butler – Dolphins
- At UT: 2017-21
- Years in NFL: 4
- vs. Patriots, 33-27 L
- 3 tackles
- 1 solo
LS Morgan Cox – Titans
- At UT: 2005-09
- Years in NFL: 16
- vs. Rams, 33-19 L
- Starting longsnapper
QB Josh Dobbs – Patriots
- At UT: 2013-16
- Years in NFL: 9
- at Dolphins, 33-27 W
- DNP
CB Kamal Hadden – Packers
- At UT: 2021-23
- Years in NFL: 2
- vs. Commanders, 27-18 W (TNF)
- DNP
WR Jalin Hyatt – Giants
- At UT: 2020-22
- Years in NFL: 3
- at Cowboys, 40-37 L
- DNP
S Theo Jackson – Vikings
- At UT: 2017-21
- Years in NFL: 4
- vs. Falcons, 22-6 L (SNF)
- 9 tackles
- 5 solo
- 1 fumble recovery
WR Jauan Jennings – 49ers
- At UT: 2015-19
- Years in NFL: 5
- at Saints, 26-21 W
- 5 receptions
- 89 yards
- 1 TD
Jauan to the crib 🏎️ #NFLVols | #GBO🍊
📺 NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTubepic.twitter.com/uH0cFUuT7P
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 14, 2025
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FB Jakob Johnson – Texans
- At UT: 2014-17
- Years in NFL: 8
- vs. Buccaneers, 20-19 L
- Blocked punt
Clutch blocked punt from Jakob Johnson!#NFLVols | #GBO🍊
📺 NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube
pic.twitter.com/MTrfwfbiaw— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 16, 2025
RB Velus Jones Jr. – Saints
- At UT: 2020-2021
- Years in NFL: 4
- vs. 49ers, 26-21 L
- DNP
RB Alvin Kamara – Saints
- At UT: 2015-16
- Years in NFL: 9
- vs. 49ers, 26-21 L
- 21 carries
- 99 rushing yards
- 6 receptions
- 21 receiving yards
- 1 fumble
C Cade Mays – Panthers
- At UT: 2020-21
- Years in NFL: 4
- at Cardinals, 27-22 L
- Backup center
- Played 17 snaps
- 62.5 PFF grade
S Jaylen McCollough – Rams
- At UT: 2019-23
- Years in NFL: 2
- at Titans, 33-19 W
- 4 tackles
- 2 solo
QB Joe Milton III – Cowboys
- At UT: 2021-23
- Years in NFL: 2
- vs. Giants, 40-37 W
- DNP
DT Omarr Norman-Lott – Chiefs
- At UT: 2023-24
- Years in NFL: 1
- vs. Eagles, 20-17 L
- 2 tackles
- 2 solo
- 1 TFL
- 1 sack
- 1 QBH
HUGE sack from Omarr! 😤#NFLVols | #GBO🍊
📺 NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 14, 2025
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WR Josh Palmer – Bills
- At UT: 2017-20
- Years in NFL: 5
- at Jets, 30-10 W
- 2 receptions
- 47 yards
OLB James Pearce Jr. – Falcons
- At UT: 2022-24
- Years in NFL: 1
- at Vikings, 22-6 W (SNF)
- 2 tackles
- 0.5 sacks
First career sack for James! 💪#NFLVols | #GBO🍊
📺 NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube
pic.twitter.com/2XLbWgMOw1— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 15, 2025
RB Dylan Sampson – Browns
- At UT: 2022-24
- Years in NFL: 1
- at Ravens, 41-17 L
- 4 carries
- 6 rushing yards
- 3 receptions
- 13 receiving yards
- 1 TD
First TD reception for DSamp!#NFLVols | #GBO🍊
📺 NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube
pic.twitter.com/7SI2OyojZs— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 14, 2025
OG Trey Smith – Chiefs
- At UT: 2017-20
- Years in NFL: 5
- vs. Eagles, 20-17 L
- Starting RG
- 67.9 PFF grade
CB Alontae Taylor – Saints
- At UT: 2018-21
- Years in NFL: 4
- vs. 49ers, 26-21 L
- 6 tackles
- 3 solo
- 1 TFL
- 2 PD
OLB Darrell Taylor – Texans
- At UT: 2015-19
- Years in NFL: 5
- vs. Buccaneers, 20-19 L
- No stats
WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. – Raiders
- At UT: 2023-24
- Years in NFL: 1
- vs. Chargers, 20-9 L
- 1 reception
- 20 yards
WR Cedric Tillman – Browns
- At UT: 2018-22
- Years in NFL: 3
- at Ravens, 41-17 L
- 2 receptions
- 22 yards
- 1 TD
Cedric Tillman scores the most bizarre touchdown you’ll see today. pic.twitter.com/cdmmV4OvAF
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) September 14, 2025
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DT Shy Tuttle – Titans
- At UT: 2015-18
- Years in NFL: 7
- vs. Rams, 33-19 L
- 1 tackle
- 1 solo
OT Darnell Wright – Bears
- At UT: 2019-22
- Years in NFL: 3
- at Lions, 52-21 L
- Starting RT
- 65.8 PFF grade
RB Jaylen Wright – Dolphins
- At UT: 2021-23
- Years in NFL: 2
- vs. Patriots, 33-27 L
- Inactive (injury)
OLB Byron Young – Rams
- At UT: 2021-22
- Years in NFL: 3
- at Titans, 33-19 W
- 5 tackles
- 4 solo
- 2 sacks
- 2 TFL
- 2 QBH
- 1 FF
Byron Young is back creating havoc in the state of Tennessee 👀 @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/V97GVafXUY
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) September 14, 2025
