Tennessee Vols senior edge rusher Joshua Josephs is starting to receive some first round NFL Draft hype.

Josephs, a former four-star recruit, is off to a terrific start this fall for the Volunteers.

The Georgia native has totaled 25 tackles, four sacks, and three forced fumbles through the first six games of the season.

Josephs’ previous career high was three sacks, set during his sophomore year in 2023.

Vols edge rusher Joshua Josephs lands with the Philadelphia Eagles in ESPN’s latest mock draft

The latest 2026 NFL mock draft from ESPN’s Jordan Reid has the Philadelphia Eagles selecting Josephs with the No. 27 overall pick in the first round.

“The Eagles love drafting edge rushers early, and Josephs is one of the best pressure generators in the country,” wrote Reid. “His 18.4% pressure rate ranks 10th among all edge rushers in the FBS, and he already has a career-high four sacks. He’s capable of operating in a three-point stance or as a stand-up outside linebacker, using the pop in his hands while mixing and matching his moves to win pass rushes. Free agent signee Azeez Ojulari has been active for only two games this season, so Philadelphia could use some edge help to aid Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt.”

If Josephs is selected in the first round, it will be the second consecutive year a Tennessee pass rusher is picked during night one of the NFL Draft (Vols edge rusher James Pearce was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft).

Additionally, former Tennessee edge rusher Byron Young, a third round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2023 NFL Draft, is currently second in the NFL in sacks (7.5).

It may not be long before Tennessee is known as Edge Rusher U.

Alabama Crimson Tide News

Alabama QB Ty Simpson leaves no doubt how he feels about the Tennessee Vols’ defense ahead of The Third Saturday in October

The Alabama Crimson Tide are set to host the Tennessee Vols this weekend in Tuscaloosa. The Vols won last year’s meeting.

Zach Ragan