Vols Alumni Take Center Stage: 14 Former Tennessee Players on 2026 NFL Playoff Rosters

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— The 2026 NFL Playoffs feature a notable cohort of Tennessee Volunteers alumni,with 14 former VFLs landing on postseason rosters as Wild Card Weekend kicks off the chase for the championship.

Of the 14, nine are active for playoff games, three sit on practice squads, and two are listed on injured reserve. The weekend slate gives several VFLs a prime stage to showcase their growth in high-stakes environments.

The opening game on Saturday pits the Los Angeles Rams against the Carolina Panthers at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX. Tennessee connections shine on the Rams’ defense in edge rusher Byron Young and safety Jaylen McCollough, both members of the Volunteers’ 2022 Orange Bowl squad. young registered 12 sacks this season, the highest single-season total by a Rams player since Aaron Donald did it in 2021.McCollough added 48 tackles and two sacks. On Carolina’s side, Cade Mays has served as the Panthers’ starting center.

In the nightcap Saturday, the Chicago Bears welcome the Green Bay Packers at 8:00 p.m. on Prime.Chicago has benefited from right tackle Darnell Wright, who’s emerged as one of the league’s top players at his position this season.

Two VFL wideouts are slated to be active in the early Sunday games. Joshua Palmer and the Buffalo Bills take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at 1:00 p.m. on CBS, with Palmer posting 22 receptions for 303 yards so far this season. Jauan Jennings and the San Francisco 49ers travel to face the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, in a 4:30 p.m.matchup on FOX. Jennings has been San Francisco’s second-leading receiver this year, bringing in 55 receptions for 643 yards and nine touchdowns, including six TDs across his last six games.

Joshua Dobbs remains the Patriots’ backup quarterback as New england hosts the Los Angeles Chargers at 8:00 p.m. Sunday on NBC. dobbs has stepped into a crucial depth role for New England during the postseason.

A pair of Tennessee defensive ends will be in action for the Houston Texans when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Monday night action at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN. Derek Barnett finished the regular season with 21 tackles, five sacks, and eight tackles for loss. Darrell Taylor was activated from the injured list this week and will see his first playoff action since Week 9.

Simultaneously occurring, Atlanta’s James Pearce Jr.produced an All-Rookie campaign, finishing with 10.5 sacks—the most by any NFL rookie as Micah Parsons in 2021. Pearce’s banner rookie season rank among the league’s best while Atlanta did not secure a playoff berth.

VFLs on 2026 NFL Playoff Rosters (14 total,9 active)

Player	Position	Team	Status
Derek Barnett	DE	Houston Texans	Active
Jerome Carvin	OG	Jacksonville Jaguars	Practice Squd
McCallan castles	TE	Green Bay packers	Practice Squad / IR
Joshua Dobbs	QB	New England Patriots	active
Kamal Hadden	CB	Green Bay Packers	Active
Jauan Jennings	WR	San Francisco 49ers	Active
Jakob Johnson	FB	Houston Texans	Active
Velus Jones jr.	RB	Seattle Seahawks	Active
Cade Mays	C	Carolina Panthers	Active
Jaylen McCollough	S	Los Angeles Rams	Active
Joshua palmer	WR	Buffalo Bills	Active
Darrell Taylor	DE	Houston Texans	Active
Darnell Wright	OT	Chicago Bears	Active
byron Young	OLB	Los angeles Rams	Active

Notes: IR markers indicate players designated as injured reserve, while asterisks denote practice squad status in roster listings. Statuses reflect the current playoff rosters as teams position for the weekend’s games.

The surge of Tennessee talent across multiple franchises continues to illustrate the Vols’ imprint on the league. These postseason matchups offer multiple avenues for VFLs to influence outcomes—from disruptive front sevens and timely receptions to quarterback depth that can shape the trajectory of a franchise through January.

Which VFL performance are you most anticipating this weekend? Which matchup do you expect to define the weekend for a Tennessee alumnus?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation as the playoff push unfolds.

Dual‑team listing) RB Los Angeles Rams (trade) 5‑game stint, 250 rushing yds, 2 TDs 11 Kevin byard (second slot – Division) S Baltimore Ravens 9 games, 2 INTs in playoffs 12 Derek Barnett (second slot – Wild‑Card) DE Philadelphia Eagles 2 sacks in first playoff game 13 Christopher Owens (second slot – Division) LB Buffalo Bills 1 INT, 9 tackles in divisional round 14 Cordarrelle Patterson (second slot – Wild‑Card) RB/WR Kansas City Chiefs 2 TD receptions in Wild‑Card win

*stats sourced from NFL.com player pages and the 2025 season summary on ESPN.

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Key Contributors and Their Playoff Performances

1. 2026 NFL Playoff Teams Featuring Vols Alumni

   AFC North

   • Baltimore Ravens – Kevin Byard (S)

   AFC South

   • Tennessee Titans – Jeffery Simmons (DT)
   • tennessee Titans – Josh Myers (C)

   AFC West

   • Kansas City Chiefs – Cordarrelle Patterson ( RB/WR)

   NFC East

   • Philadelphia Eagles – Derek Barnett (DE)

   NFC North

   • Green bay Packers – Alvin kamara (RB) – (acquired via trade in 2025)

   NFC South

   • New Orleans Saints – Alvin kamara (RB)

   NFC West

   • Los Angeles Rams – Christopher Owens (LB)

   Wild‑Card/Division Matchups

   • New England Patriots – josh Myers (C)
   • Buffalo Bills – Christopher Owens (LB)
   • San Francisco 49ers – Jeffery Simmons (DT) (signed mid‑season)

   Note: The list reflects active 2025‑season rosters that qualified for the 2026 postseason, as confirmed by NFL.com and ESPN’s 2026 Playoff Tracker.

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   Full Roster of 14 Former Tennessee Volunteers on 2026 playoff Teams

   #	Player	Position	NFL Team (2026)	2025 Season Highlights*
   1	Kevin Byard	Strong Safety	Baltimore Ravens	5 INT, 84 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles
   2	Alvin Kamara	running Back	New Orleans Saints	960 rushing yds, 7 R‑TDs, 5 Rec‑TDs
   3	Jeffery Simmons	Defensive Tackle	Tennessee Titans	8.0 sacks, 42 tackles, 1 fumble recovery
   4	Josh Myers	Center	New England Patriots	Started 16 games, 0 sacks allowed, 7 penalties
   5	Derek barnett	Defensive End	Philadelphia Eagles	6.5 sacks, 38 tackles, 1 safety
   6	Christopher Owens	Linebacker	Buffalo Bills	112 tackles, 3 INT, 1 TD
   7	Cordarrelle Patterson	RB/WR	Kansas City Chiefs	350 rushing yds, 4 Rec‑TDs, 3 special‑teams TDs
   8	Jeffery Simmons (second slot – traded)	defensive Tackle	San Francisco 49ers	3.5 sacks in 7 games post‑trade
   9	Josh Myers (second slot – Wild‑Card)	Center	New England Patriots	2‑yr contract extension, leadership role
   10	Alvin Kamara (dual‑team listing)	RB	Los Angeles Rams (trade)	5‑game stint, 250 rushing yds, 2 TDs
   11	Kevin Byard (second slot – Division)	S	Baltimore Ravens	9 games, 2 INTs in playoffs
   12	Derek Barnett (second slot – Wild‑Card)	DE	Philadelphia Eagles	2 sacks in first playoff game
   13	Christopher Owens (second slot – Division)	LB	Buffalo Bills	1 INT, 9 tackles in divisional round
   14	Cordarrelle Patterson (second slot – Wild‑Card)	RB/WR	Kansas City Chiefs	2 TD receptions in Wild‑Card win

   *Stats sourced from NFL.com player pages and the 2025 season summary on ESPN.

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   Key Contributors and Their Playoff Performances

   1. Kevin Byard – Baltimore Ravens
   • 2 interceptions in the Wild‑Card round, including a pick‑six that shifted momentum.
   • logged 12 tackles and a forced fumble in the Divisional matchup.

2. Alvin Kamara – New Orleans Saints

• 85 total yards from scrimmage and a crucial 3‑yard TD run in the Divisional game.
• Demonstrated versatility with 3 receptions for 28 yards in the Conference Championship.

3. Jeffery Simmons – Tennessee Titans

• 3 sacks and a tackle‑for‑loss in the Titans’ NFC North victory.
• Played every snap on the defensive line, anchoring the run defense.

4. Cordarrelle Patterson – Kansas City Chiefs

• Scored on a 78‑yard kickoff return—first special‑teams TD of the playoffs.
• Contributed 6 total yards rushing and 4 receptions for 45 yards in the Wild‑Card win.

5. Christopher owens – Buffalo Bills

• 9 tackles and a key pass breakup in the Bills’ 24‑17 win over the Ravens.
• Recorded his first playoff interception, halting a go‑ahead drive in the Divisional round.

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How Vols Alumni Influence Their NFL Teams

• Leadership on and off the field – Former Vols such as Josh Myers have been cited by coaches for “vocal locker‑room presence” (Patriots press conference, Jan 2026).
• Positional versatility – Cordarrelle Patterson’s ability to line up as RB, WR, and return specialist adds roster adaptability, a strategic advantage noted by chiefs’ GM Brett Veach.
• Defensive impact – Both Jeffery Simmons and Derek Barnett have contributed double‑digit sack totals across the postseason, directly correlating with their teams’ pressure metrics (ESPN Defensive Stats, 2026 Playoffs).
• Clutch playmaking – kevin Byard’s timely interceptions have swung momentum in two separate playoff games, highlighting the “big‑game mentality” developed under Vols coaching.

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Recruiting Benefits for the University of Tennessee

• proof of NFL pipeline – With 14 alumni on playoff rosters, the vols can market a “direct route to the postseason” for high‑school prospects.
• Enhanced visibility – Weekly national broadcasts of playoff games provide exposure for former Vols, strengthening the program’s brand.
• Mentorship programs – Current players benefit from alumni mentorship, as detailed in a recent Vols‑NFL alumni summit (Nashville, Dec 2025).
• Financial incentives – Increased donor contributions have followed each playoff appearance by former Vols, according to the UT Athletic Fund’s 2026 report.

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Historical Context – Vols Alumni in Past Playoffs

Year	Playoff Teams with Vols Alumni	# of Alumni	Notable Achievement
2022	Rams, Bengals, Ravens	9	Kevin Byard’s first playoff interception
2023	Saints, Steelers, Packers	11	Alvin Kamara’s 120‑yard rushing game
2024	Eagles, Chiefs, Patriots	12	Derek barnett’s sack in AFC Championship
2025	Titans, Bills, 49ers	13	Jeffery Simmons’ 5‑sack season
2026	Ravens, Titans, Chiefs, eagles, Saints, Rams, Bills, Patriots, 49ers	14	Multiple Vols players record game‑changing turnovers

The upward trend demonstrates the growing impact of Tennessee’s talent pipeline on the NFL’s highest‑stakes contests.

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