Tennessee Vols undrafted rookie named by ESPN as a 'surprise player' during NFL minicamps

A former Tennessee Vols defender who went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft was named this week by ESPN as a surprise player during NFL minicamps.

Former Vols cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally, who played at Vanderbilt and BYU before transferring to Tennessee in 2023, was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent shortly after the 2024 NFL Draft. And the former Vol is making the most of his opportunity while receiving extra reps during minicamp due to the limited availability of players like Chidobe Awuzie and L'Jarius Sneed.

From ESPN : Jeudy-Lally, an undrafted free agent, took full advantage of available reps due to veterans Chidobe Awuzie and L'Jarius Sneed having limited participation during OTAs and minicamp. Jeudy-Lally said his length and comfort in press coverage gave him confidence to play in defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson's aggressive scheme. "If I get up there and give myself the opportunity to win by getting my hands on guys and being in good position, it allows me to use my length to my ability, and everything falls into play from there." His confidence showed immediately when he got a good jam on Treylon Burks in OTAs. Jeudy-Lally also held his own when lining up against DeAndre Hopkins on a few reps.

Jeudy-Lally played in each of Tennessee's 13 games last season with 11 starts. He totaled 41 tackles (including four tackles for loss) along with one sack and one interception with the Vols in 2023.

The former Vol still has an uphill climb ahead of him to make the Titans' 53-man roster this fall, but it certainly appears that his journey to making the team is off to a great start. Jeudy-Lally, however, will need to have a strong training camp -- that's when things get "real" for players looking to make the team -- if he's going to be in uniform on the sidelines in Nashville in 2024.

Related: Tennessee baseball staffer offers strong response to Greg McElroy's comments about Tony Vitello