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Tennessee Football: Top 5 prospects for 2021 NFL Draft

By Aaron Gershon

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 05: Jauan Jennings #15, Marquez Callaway #1 and Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate Jennings catch for a touchdown during a game between University of Georgia Bulldogs and University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 05: Jauan Jennings #15, Marquez Callaway #1 and Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate Jennings catch for a touchdown during a game between University of Georgia Bulldogs and University of Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images). /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 20: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs for yards being defended by Defensive back Bryce Thompson #20 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 20: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs for yards being defended by Defensive back Bryce Thompson #20 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

3. Bryce Thompson, DB

Tennessee’s Bryce Thompson is one of the SEC’s top defensive backs. The South Carolina native earned SEC All-Freshman team honors and FWAA Freshman All-American honors in 2018 after making 32 total tackles with four coming for a loss and one being a sack. He also grabbed three interceptions, defended four passes and forced a fumble. He also returned four kicks for the Vols for an average of 25 yards per return.

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In 2019, Thompson again made 32 total tackles with two coming for a loss and one being a sack. The defensive back grabbed three more interceptions and defended two passes. He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week after grabbing three interceptions in the first half of the Vols’ Nov. 2 victory over UAB.

The only thing that held Thompson back in 2019 was off the field issues. Before the season, he was arrested charged with misdemeanor domestic assault. As a result, he was suspended indefinitely by the football program and was reinstated on Sept. 11 after missing the first two games of the season. The chargers were dismissed in late September.

If Thompson can stay out of trouble and continue to produce on the field, there’s a high chance he will forgo his senior season and declare for the NFL draft where he may be an early-round selection.

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