Tyler Bray is headed to the NFL.
Photo by Harvey Elkins

KNOXVILLE— Juniors Tyler Bray, Justin Hunter, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Darrington Sentimore are officially entering the NFL draft a year early. While Hunter announced his intentions a few weeks ago via Twitter, and Bray signed with an agent last week, this marks the first official information regarding Patterson and Sentimore.

Patterson is likely to be taken in the first round.
Photo by Reed Carringer

Many expected Patterson to head to the NFL after his breakout junior year. Patterson put up monster numbers his lone year with the Vols accumulating a school record 1,873 all-purpose yards. CBSSports.com currently has the Vol receiver being taken by the Vikings with the 23rd overall pick. Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has Patterson rated as the top receiver in the draft and projects him as a top 15 pick. Most outlets project Patterson to be taken somewhere in the first round.

Justin Hunter, projected by most as a late first-early second round pick, had a successful junior campaign. One year after an ACL injury forced him to miss most of the season, Hunter caught 73 passes for 1,083 yards and nine touchdowns. Most expect Hunter to be taken either in the late first or early second round.

Vol quarterback Tyler Bray’s draft stock is much harder to predict. Even though Tennessee finished with a losing record (5-7), Bray’s numbers rank as some of the best in school history. In 2012 the quarterback completed 268 of 451 passes for 3,612 yards, 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.  His 2012 campaign ranks second in school-history in touchdowns and yards, while ranking third in completions and attempts. Bray also holds four of the top seven single-game passing yardage totals in UT history.

Though Bray’s numbers standout, some question his maturity and ability to lead a team. He’ll have a chance to answer some of those concerns in the NFL combine. Expect the Vol quarterback to be taken somewhere in the first three rounds.

Most expected Bray, Hunter, and Patterson to enter the NFL draft early, but Sentimore’s declaration came as a surprise. The defensive tackle had a solid year for the Vols, but was not expected to head to the pros. Sentimore recorded 18 tackles, 4.0 sacks, and 5.0 tackles for loss this year for Tennessee. He’ll have to prove himself in the combine and will most likely be a late round pick.

We’ll have more on the draft stock of each eligible Vol as the draft approaches.