Former Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs heard the buzz about him likely being a second-round NFL draft pick, perhaps even a first rounder.
But Day One went by, he wasn’t picked. Day Two went by, he wasn’t picked. The first three rounds of the draft didn’t reveal the name of Josh Dobbs.
But in Round 4 Saturday, Dobbs was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers as several friends and family members gathered around his house in Alpharetta, Ga., to celebrate.
“It really tests your patience to say the least, watching other names go before you,’’ Dobbs said Saturday on a teleconference call. “But it’s all part of the process. At the end of the day, you’re blessed with the opportunity you have, so go out and make the most of the opportunity.
“I’m very excited about where I ended up. It’s a great situation, a great organization. I can’t imagine it any other way.’’
Dobbs said he hopes to bring the same “toughness’’ and “winning attitude’’ he brought to Tennessee four years ago.
He also said looks forward to being an understudy to two-time Super Bowl winner Ben Rothleisberger, whom Dobbs called “a further Hall of Famer.’’
Dobbs added: `’My goal is to go in there and compete and be the best Josh Dobbs I can be and be ready when my name is called.’’
Dobbs was selected with the 135th overall pick. Dobbs is the first UT quarterback to be selected since Jonathon Crompton in 2010.
Ironically, Dallas took Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott with the 135th pick last year and Prescott not only won the starting job with the Cowboys but took home NFL rookie of the year honors over teammate Ezekiel Elliott, who led the NFL in rushing. Prescott led Dallas to a 13-3 record and many felt Prescott’s performance would elevate the draft stock of Dobbs.
The twist of fate was not lost on Dobbs.
“God definitely works in mysterious ways, I’ll say that,’’ Dobbs said. “It was really awesome to watch Dak last year and see him take advantage of the opportunity. I’ve taken a lot of notes from that book.’’
Dobbs has also taken note of the skill players he will be surrounded with at Pittsburgh. He’ll have a wealth of receivers, led by All-Pro Antonio Brown, and All-Pro running back LaVeon Bell, one of the NFL’s best at all-purpose yards.
Tennessee coach Butch Jones coached Brown at Central Michigan and has frequently invoked his name. How often has Jones mentioned Brown’s name?
“More times than there are days in those four years,’’ Dobbs said. “It will be an honor to meet him (Brown).’’
Dobbs is looking forward to reuniting with cornerback Cam Sutton, a UT teammate and friend since they played pee-wee ball against each other in the fourth grade.
“We’ve been great friends over the past four years,’’ Dobbs said. “He was one of the first people that called me (after Dobbs was drafted). I’ll be excited to see him in Pittsburgh.’’
Dobbs said he visited Pittsburgh on the Monday after UT’s pro day in March and knew the Steelers had an interest in him.
Also, Tennessee had six players taken in the first four rounds of the draft – the most since 2002.
Vols LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin became the 4th University of Tennessee player selected in the NFL Draft. The Detroit Lions took Reeves-Maybin in the 4th round, #124 overall. Here’s more on his selection.
Detroit Lions select Jalen Reeves-Maybin in the 4th Rd, No. 124. #NFLDraft First Lions pick of a UT player since Terry Fair 1st Rd in 1998. pic.twitter.com/48BUj7B9RV
PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Steelers selected former Tennessee defensive back and VFL Cameron Sutton with the 94th overall pick during Friday’s third round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art at Eakins Oval.
Sutton is the 18th Vol to be selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers and the first since Daniel McCullers went 215th overall (sixth round) in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Sutton is the first Tennessee defensive back to be selected in the NFL Draft since 2010 when the Kansas City Chiefs picked Eric Berry with the fifth overall selection.
Sutton was a shutdown cornerback for the Vols for four-straight years. He was limited to six games this past season due to an injury he suffered against Ohio on Sept. 17and returned to action against Kentucky on Nov. 12, recording a pair of pass breakups to break Jabari Greer’s UT career record for passes defended. He finished the year with 23 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, and five passes defended. In 45 games played, Sutton amassed 127 tackles (111 solo), 13.0 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, 37 passes defended, one sack, three forced fumbles and three fumbles recovered. His 37 career passes defended are a Tennessee record. In 2015, Sutton earned Sporting News First Team All-America honors as a punt returner after leading the nation with an 18.7-yard average and returning two punts for touchdowns. His 14.6 career punt-return average (minimum 30 returns) is the best in Tennessee history.
ESPN Analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
“When you look at what he can do right away, he can return punts. In 2015, he averaged 18.7 yards per punt return.”
ESPN Analyst Todd McShay
“He is really fluid and smooth in coverage. I think everyone was reminded how talent he is when he showed up at the Senior Bowl. He performed as well as any corner there that week. Sutton is a good pick here.”
PHILADELPHIA — Former Tennessee running back and VFL Alvin Kamara was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 67th overall pick during Friday’s third round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art at Eakins Oval.
The Saints traded up in the third round to select Kamara. New Orleans gave a 2018 second-round pick and its seventh-round pick from this year to the San Francisco 49ers for the 67th overall pick.
Kamara is the 11th Vol to be selected by the New Orleans Saints and the first since the franchise picked linebacker Marvin Mitchell with the 220th overall pick (seventh round) in the 2007 NFL Draft. Kamara is the third UT running back to be picked by the Saints, joining Curt Watson (150th pick, sixth round in 1972) and Kelsey Finch (311th pick, 12th round in 1979).
Kamara is the first Vol running back selected in the NFL Draft since the Cleveland Browns took Montario Hardesty with the 59th overall pick (second round) in the 2010 pick. Kamara is the fourth UT running back to be selected in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft since 2000, joining Jamal Lewis (first round, 2000), Travis Henry (second round, 2001) and Hardesty.
Kamara was one of Tennessee’s four team captains in 2016 and again proved to be one of the SEC’s most dynamic playmakers. As a redshirt junior, he ran for 596 yards and nine touchdowns on 103 carries (5.8 average) and caught 40 passes for 392 yards (9.8 average) and four scores. He also returned 18 punts for 184 yards (10.2 average). Kamara led the Vols with 1,188 all-purpose yards (seventh in the SEC) in 2016 and tallied 13 total touchdowns, which tied for third in the SEC. Kamara set a new Tennessee record with 312 all-purpose yards against Texas A&M on Oct. 8, rushing for 127 yards on 18 carries and catching eight passes for 161 yards. He and Jamal Lewis (1997 against Kentucky) are the only two Vols to record 100 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in the same game.
According to Pro Football Focus, Kamara forced a missed tackle once for every 2.92 touches, which was the second-best rate among running backs in the 2017 draft class.
“I definitely know a little bit about this offense, just having versatility like Darren Sproles and Reggie Bush and seeing myself like a guy that plays like that, I’m excited to see how it unfolds.”
(On his growth as a player)
“Just watching all the great backs do it as far back as Clinton Portis and even watching the Darren Sproles and Reggie Bush… I try to pull from everybody. I’m blessed to make plays like those guys, hopefully I can keep it going.”
(On what kind of player the Saints are getting)
“I think the city of New Orleans is going to be excited about him. He really fits the city. He is a hard-working kid, plays with a lot of energy and passion… he’s going to give everything he has. He is going to be an explosive playmaker and I think he is a great addition to what you guys do on offense.”
(On Kamara’s similarities to former Saints running back Darren Sproles)
“Darren Sproles is kind of the architect of running routes out of the back field. He’s one of the best to do it. Alvin prides himself on understanding what style of offense he would fit in and with a guy like Drew Brees controlling the offense, I think that’s going to make him comfortable, that he has another weapon coming out of the back field.”
Vols senior DB cam Sutton is the third player selected in the 2017 NFL Draft. Sutton was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 3rd round, #94 overall. See more on his selection below.
Pittsburgh Steelers select Vols DB Cam Sutton in the 3rd Rd, No. 94 overall. He's the 1st UT DB drafted since Eric Berry in 2010 by Chiefs. pic.twitter.com/pmIX2vrO9V
Vols RB Alvin Kamara was the 2nd Tennessee player selected in the 2017 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints (3rd round, #67 overall. Kamara is the first RB drafted since 2010 when the Cleveland Browns picked Montario Hardesty in the 2nd round, #59 overall. Here’s some great content on Kamara.
New Orleans Saints trade up with the 49'ers to select Tennessee Vols RB Alvin Kamara in the 3rd Rd, #67 overall. #NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/zXVjCGMXWc
Former Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett was formally introduced by the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, less than 24 hours after he was selected by the organization with the 14th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Barnett spoke with local media members for almost 15 minutes after snapping a few quick photos holding his new Eagles jersey, officially donning the number 96.
A full transcript of Barnett’s comments can be found below.
(On having a strong work ethic and humility instilled in him at a young age)
“Yes sir, I think it was. My mom raised me, so she taught me to always stay humble and to put your head down and just work. She’s worked a lot. I’ve seen her work up to three jobs when I was younger, so I think I get that attitude from her.”
(On meeting defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz before the draft)
“I came in for a 30-visit and I had a great meeting with him. Actually the Eagles were my last visit so I was here not too long ago, about a week and a half. It’s kind of ironic that I ended up in this city.”
(On how the meeting went with Coach Schwartz)
“The meeting went well. It was more about him just getting a feel for me and me getting to know him more. He also thinks I can fit their system very well. Playing that Wide 9 line and come off the edge because I have a good get-off. He thinks I fit the system well and I think I fit it well too.”
(On how playing in the SEC helped him be a better pass rusher)
“I think it was very good. I played against a lot of great tackles. Laremy Tunsil, Brandon Scherff, Cam Robinson. I played against a lot of great tackles week-in and week-out. You win on Saturdays, celebrate on Sundays, but Monday you have to get back to work. I feel like it’s going to be the same way in the NFL.”
(On whether he is going to be impatient and want to get on the field immediately)
“I’m going to sit back and wait my turn. I’m going to come in and learn my role first and get around these veterans and learn what I have to do first to get on the field. Me being a first round pick doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t guarantee me a spot. I still have to come in and work and gain respect first.”
(On his letter to NFL GMs published by The Players’ Tribune)
“I just thought it was a great way to express my feelings. My mom thought it would be a good idea to get the letter out as well. I thought it hit the media at the right time.”
(On where he picked up his pass-rushing skills)
“Just great coaches. Starting in middle school, high school, and Coach Stripling in college. I’ve been around some great coaches. I’ve worked with Chuck Smith. Really, all of my coaches have just modeled me into the player I am today.”
(On his ideal playing weight in the NFL)
“Wherever Coach tells me I need to be at, I’ll make sure I’m at that weight.”
(On whether gaining weight would slow him down)
“I don’t think so.”
(On his mom working three jobs and who helped raise him while she was at work)
“My mom works at UPS. She works in the factory so she is on her feet a lot moving boxes. She also waited tables. She raised me, even though she worked a lot she was still always there and made sure I had everything I needed.”
(On feeling pressure after being compared to Reggie White and Terrell Suggs)
“No sir, I don’t feel any pressure. I take it as a compliment. Terrell Suggs was a great ballplayer — going to be a Hall of Famer. And Reggie White was probably one of the greatest defensive linemen to play the game so just for me to be compared to those two is really a blessing.”
(On getting on the field at Tennessee as a freshman and how he’s developed since then)
“Coming in freshman year I was just playing. I really just came in and I told myself, ‘I’m going to play hard on every down.’ And then from my freshman to junior year the game slowed down for me. I just got better as a ballplayer mentally.”
(On his first day as an Eagle)
“Today I woke up and came over to the stadium, toured the stadium, came over to the facility, met the coaches. This day’s been fun for me. I’ve enjoyed myself. I can’t wait until we start rookie camp and get around ball some more.”
(On the area of his game he wants to improve upon the most)
“My eye-discipline. Sometimes I like to put my eyes in the backfield too fast — before defeating my block. So I think I need to continue working on my eye-discipline.”
(On how to improve eye-discipline)
“Focusing on my work, making sure I’m beating my block. So if I’m going against the tight end, making sure I’m beating him before I put my eyes in the backfield.”
(On if any current Eagles have reached out to him)
“Fletcher Cox reached out to me. He told me how he likes his steaks cooked. That was a warm welcome to the team. That was on Twitter. But there was a few other guys that reached out to me. Carson Wentz did. Everybody’s been showing me love and I really appreciate it.”
(On if he has had the opportunity to meet Sara White, Reggie White’s widow)
“I’ve not Sara White, but I’ve talked to her on the phone a few times. She lives in Nashville so when I get the chance I will go over there and meet with them. But Reggie White, in Knoxville, is a legend. He’s all over the place in the state of Tennessee.”
(On what motivates him to play with an edge)
“I just love football. I love everything that the game brings. I love the contact. I love playing with 10 other guys on defense. I just love everything about it.”
(On the other defensive ends he watched growing up)
“Recently I like watching Michael Bennett play. I like his demeanor. He uses his hands very well. When I was younger [I watched] Michael Strahan — one of the best to do it. So I look up to a lot of those guys.”
(On how he came about speaking with Sara White)
“She gave me a phone call about a week after the bowl game, after I broke the record. She just congratulated me on everything I’ve accomplished. Even though I broke the record I told her, ‘Reggie’s still Reggie. I don’t think I’m better than Reggie.’ I told her thank you a lot and I really appreciated it.”
(On what it meant to him that Sara White reached out to him after he broke Reggie White’s UT sack record)
“It meant a lot. She went out of her way. She didn’t have to call me, but I’m glad she did.”
(On when and how football became important to him and when he knew it would become his career)
“The first time I picked it up, I started playing football in fifth grade. I always used to play backyard football when I was younger, but I officially started playing in fifth grade and I picked it up the first day of practice, had a blast and knew I was going to go a long way with it. I played guard, actually. Guard and defensive end.”
(On at what point he changes gears and starts the process of learning the defense and putting the draft behind him)
“When I leave here today, I’m going to have have my iPad with me. So as soon as I leave, I’m going to be able to start learning the defense.”
(On when he watched or grew familiar with Reggie White’s playing career)
“I watched tape of him at Tennessee because I was trying to put the hump move in my game. As a pass rusher, I feel like everyone has their own moves and I think that move is for him, probably not for me.”
(On his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, competing despite having the flu)
“I caught the flu a few days before we ran. I knew I probably wasn’t going to test my best, but I knew it was an important job interview and I knew I had to go out there and just grind it out. I told myself to just go out there and do my best and control what I can control. And I did so.”
(On if there was any thought to sit out the Combine and work out only at Tennessee Pro Day)
“No, I didn’t put much thought into it because I knew how important that interview was.”
(On how he compares to other defensive ends who have been labeled as more athletic)
“I think my get-off is pretty good and I can bend well. But I think mentally, that’s where I separate a little bit. Preparing for a game, a lot of people don’t see that, but you have to prepare for a game so you can go in and dominate.”
On this video, Erik breaks down how to beat quarters coverage with the play action.
Submit your specific play suggestion in Tennessee history that you want Erik to analyze on an upcoming show and find out more about the exclusive weekly feature HERE.
Jim Casey talks with Kristian Bush about his transition from being a member of a duo—first with Billy Pilgrim and then Sugarland—to being a solo artist, receiving validation for his first solo album, Southern Gravity, from fans and critics, his new song, “Sing Along,” upcoming new album, producing Lindsay Ell’s new EP, Worth the Wait, and more.
Unabashed Britney Spears fan Kelsea Ballerini stopped by the Entertainment Tonight studio to share an amusing anecdote about her idol. According to her story, Kelsea spent many a day trying to perfect her “Britney” growl.
“So, this is embarrassing, but my dad always tells this story of me going around the house as a kid trying to get the ‘Britney’ growl,” says Kelsea before demonstrating her purr. “[Britney] was also my first concert, she’s a legend, I think she’s the queen of pop music, and I adore Britney Spears.”
Check out the video below to hear Kelsea’s “Britney” growl.
