Photo By Drew Garrison/Tennessee Athletics
After spending two seasons as a contributor in Tennessee football’s secondary, defensive back Jalen McMurray has officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. The 2025 season was his redshirt-senior year, marking his final year of eligibility.
McMurray made the announcement that he will enter his name into the draft on his X account on Wednesday morning. This was a day after he fought through injury to play in his final game as a collegiate player during the Music City Bowl loss to Illinois.
“Jalen, I’m so proud of how he’s grown since he got here and as a football player, but outside of it, as well,” Vols head coach Josh Heupel said after the game. “And wanting to play in this game, gets dinged up here in the middle of December, really questionable whether he would even come close to having the opportunity to play, does everything in his power to get back.
“Yesterday, I’m not sure you thought you were going to play. And said, ‘Man, I want to go through warmups and figure it out.’ And great teammate, great football player, and he’s a football player. He loves playing the game. For him to be able to go through it today, to make a decision that he can play and then go play the way that he did, I think says everything that – well, it is everything that you would want in a player as a coach. Couldn’t be more proud of him.”
— Jalen McMurray (@Jalen_McMurray) December 31, 2025
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McMurray is coming off a season in which he produced 56 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks and five passes deflected. He was the primary player in the Vols’ STAR position, especially when his backup, Boo Carter, left the program midway through the year.
In his first year with the Vols, he was a backup cornerback who rotated in for Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III. He posted 14 tackles and four passes deflected that year for a vaunted defense that made its way to the College Football Playoffs.
“Thank you college football,” McMurray wrote in his statement. “First and foremost, all glory to God. I’m incredibly grateful and humbled by his blessings. Thank you to all the Tennessee coaches, staff, and my brothers for the standard, the work, and the bond we built together. Vol Nation, thank you for the unmatched support at home and on the road. From the moment I arrived, you made Knoxville feel like home. Representing this city and university on and off the field, especially through the community, has meant more than words can say.
“I’m thankful to Temple University where my college journey began, and I’m endlessly grateful to my family for their love and sacrifices. And as I move into the next phase of my football journey, I’ll carry everything Knoxville has given me forward. With that being said, I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.”