Former Tennessee Vols DB improves his chances of making 53-man NFL roster with big play during preseason game

Former Tennessee Vols defensive back Jaylen McCollough improved his chances of making a 53-man NFL roster by making a huge play for the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers.

McCollough, who was signed by the Rams as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL Draft, intercepted a tipped pass in the second quarter against the Chargers.

Here's another angle of the interception.

Undrafted rookies have to take advantage of every single opportunity they receive if they want to have any chance of making a 53-man roster.

The play that McCollough made is a play that sometimes get missed due to the unpredictable nature of a tipped football. It's understandable if the defensive back isn't able to get his hands on one of those as it flutters through the air.

McCollough, however, made the most of his opportunity and made the play.

The Athletic's 53-man roster prediction for the Rams that was published last week didn't include McCollough. That could be changing, though, after McCollough's big game against the Chargers (the former Tennessee defender also had three tackles and two passes defensed on Saturday after totaling five tackles the previous week ).

Related: Former Vols DB Brandon Turnage explains why he transferred to Ole Miss and makes strong statement about his time at Tennessee