The 2026 Senior Bowl will commence from Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, AL, this Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. ET. Before that, though, more than 130 draft-eligible prospects will go through a few workouts this week as they practice and perform for the scouts, coaches, and analysts in attendance.
Tennessee has three representatives in the event this week. The Vols’ trio of players includes cornerback Colton Hood, defensive back Jalen McMurray, and defensive lineman Bryson Eason. All three players will be playing for the National Team.
According to the Senior Bowl’s official website, the National Team will be practicing from 2:30 p.m. ET to 4:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Fans can watch the practice coverage daily on NFL Network and NFL+, with select coverage also landing on ESPN2/ESPNU (Wednesday), ESPNU/ESPNNews (Thursday), and the ESPN App.
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CB Colton Hood
After transferring in from Colorado last offseason, Hood was quickly thrust into the No. 1 cornerback role after the injury to Rickey Gibson III in the season-opener. Hood took that role and ran with it, though. The six-foot cornerback quickly turned into one of the SEC’s best corners as he routinely matched up against some of the best pass-catching threats in the conference. Hood tallied 50 tackles, one interception, and a forced fumble during the 2025 season. He also recorded two interceptions, with a scoop-and-score in the opener against Syracuse and a pick-six in a road win at Mississippi State.
According to PFF, opponents targeted Hood in passing plays 53 times during the season, completing just 28 passes for 318 yards and one touchdown.
Hood’s breakout season with the Vols has him quickly rising in the draft rankings. His Senior Bowl performance this week in Alabama could help his cause even more. In Daniel Jeremiah’s recent mock draft for NFL.com, Hood was projected as the 12th overall pick in the draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He’s been an off-and-on first-round projection over the last month, but a good showing in Mobile could get close to locking that in.
DB Jalen McMurray
In some ways, McMurray was the heart of Tennessee’s secondary during the 2025 campaign. He played in all 13 games for the Vols at the STAR position, and even battled through injury to play one last time against Illinois in the Music City Bowl.
McMurray transferred to Tennessee from Temple before the 2024 season. He was a backup cornerback during the Vols’ run to the College Football Playoffs, playing in 264 snaps throughout the season. As a nine-game starter this past year, McMurray tallied 56 total tackles, two sacks, and five pass breakups while playing in 551 snaps.
The six-foot DB had a season-high seven tackles against Syracuse and a season-high two tackles for loss against UAB. He also posted five solo tackles in Tennessee’s overtime loss to Georgia in September.
DL Bryson Eason
In a move that’s far less common in today’s day and age, Eason spent all six seasons with the Volunteers before embarking on his path to the next level. He played in six games during his true freshman season, took a redshirt in his second season in 2021, and then played in all 13 games for the final four seasons of his collegiate career. He finished his Tennessee tenure with a career-high 31 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and five pass deflections this season.
The 6-foot-3 in-state native spent three straight seasons as a starter on Tennessee’s defensive line under Rodney Garner. He helped push Tennessee to the College Football Playoffs during the 2024 season.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for Senior Bowl coverage this week in Mobile, AL.
