Defensive back Rashaan Gaulden – arguably the Vols’ best player in the 2017 season – became the first former UT player to get tapped in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Carolina Panthers chose Gaulden in the third round, as overall pick number 85.

This makes the second consecutive year a former Vol was selected as a third-round pick. Last year, Cameron Sutton was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Gaulden played high school football at both Brentwood Academy and Independence before signing with UT in 2014.

In all, counting Gaulden, UT has had 355 of their players taken in NFL drafts.

(Photo courtesy of Carolina Panthers)