The Tennessee Volunteers could have a player selected in the top 10 of the 2027 NFL Draft.
When Tennessee landed Penn State transfer defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam, the hope was that he would spend two seasons on Rocky Top.
But that ship has likely sailed.
Gilliam has been one of college football's best defensive players this season. The Maryland native has been an absolute game wrecker while totaling six sacks, 25 total tackles, and two forced fumbles in the first eight games of the season.
Gilliam doesn't just look like a potential first round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft, he could actually be a top 10 selection next spring.
The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner's latest mock draft has the New Orleans Saints selecting Gilliam with the No. 7 overall pick.
"One of the biggest risers in the country this season, the 6-foot-2, 305-pound Gilliam – a true junior who transferred from Penn State – already has put up six sacks with 28 pressures, 18 hurries and a whopping 16 run stops," wrote Baumgardner. "That's truly insane production for a defensive tackle."
Unless something crazy happens, it's going to be one-and-done for Gilliam at Tennessee.
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Tennessee Vols defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam gets selected very high in the latest 2027 NFL mock draft from The Athletic
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