Wild Card weekend concluded and some former Tennessee football players advanced to the next round.
Now with eight teams left, only a few Vols have a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy next month, adding a Super Bowl ring to their finger.
Here is a rooting guide for the Divisional Round, with some games to avoid.
Defensive end Derek Barnett
The 2017 first-round draft pick has been a consistent force on the Texans’ defensive line this season. Barnett has recorded five sacks, two forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns this season. His best play came against the home-state Tennessee Titans when he picked up a loose ball and rumbled 36 yards for the score.
Barnett recorded one solo tackles in the Texans’ Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Offensive guard Trey Smith
A late-round bloomer due to a medical condition in the 2021 NFL Draft, Smith has been former MVP-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blocker since he suited up for the Chiefs. Smith is due to be a free agent this offseason, where he has the chance to reset the guard market in terms of money received.
Smith and the Chiefs are in search of their third-straight Super Bowl ring.
No active Vols on the roster.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker
The second-year quarterback and fan favorite in Knoxville has yet to see meaningful NFL snaps, and that should not change on Saturday. Hooker backs up resurgent quarterback Jared Goff, who has guided the Lions to a one-seed and a 15-2 record.
Hooker is 6-for-9 with 62 passing yards this season.
Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley
Moseley has struggled to stay healthy during his NFL career. The cornerback made his name with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent following his time at Tennessee but has been dealt a bad card in the injury department. Moseley tore his ACL in back-to-back seasons before suffering a torn pectoral this season.
He is unlikely to play on Saturday.
Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Since entering the NFL, Reeves-Maybin has cut his work out on special teams. The former fourth-round draft pick was selected to the Pro Bowl as well as being named a second-team All-Pro last season.
Reeves-Maybin has recorded 10 tackles and a forced fumble this season.
Edge rusher Byron Young
Young has been an impactful piece on the Rams’ defensive line. The former Dollar General worker has made his own name in the NFL. This season, Young has amassed 62 tackles, 7.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
In the Wild Card round against the Minnesota Vikings, Young recorded four tackles, 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits as the Rams rangled up nine sacks as a defense.
Defensive back Jaylen McCollough
The rookie undrafted free agent had a hot start to the season as a ball hawk. After a long stint at Tennessee, McCollough turned to the NFL and had to fight for a roster spot. Not only did he earn a spot, he turned it into an opportunity by recording four interceptions across a four-game span earlier this season.
McCollough recorded six tackles in the win over the Vikings.
