Tennessee Vols fan favorite gets released by NFL franchise just weeks after the 2026 NFL Draft
A former Tennessee Volunteers defensive back found out this week just how tough it is to make a roster in the NFL as an undrafted free agent after getting released just weeks after the 2026 NFL Draft.
A former Tennessee Vols defensive back found out this week just how tough it is to make an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent.
Former Vols defensive back William Wright, a fan favorite who earned a scholarship after joining the program as a walk-on, landed with the Denver Broncos after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Wright’s time with the Broncos, however, didn’t last long.
The former Vol was released by Denver earlier this week.
Making an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent is never easy
We’ve seen plenty of former Vols who went undrafted end up having long NFL careers.
Former Tennessee running back Arian Foster went to four Pro Bowls after going undrafted in 2009. Former Vols offensive lineman Ramon Foster spent a decade in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers after also going undrafted in 2009.
More often than not, though, undrafted free agents either never make a 53-man roster, or they spend years bouncing between the active roster and the practice squad. It’s almost always an uphill battle.
Getting released in May probably isn’t a great sign for Wright’s future in the NFL, but it’s worth pointing out that Denver has one of the strongest rosters in the NFL, so he may be able to find a better opportunity elsewhere.