Former Tennessee Vols standout named one of the biggest steals in the draft by 247Sports
A former Tennessee Vols standout who was selected on day three of the 2022 NFL Draft was named one of the draft's "biggest steals" by 247Sports. Vols defensive lineman Matthew Butler was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round (No. 175 overall) of the draft. Here's what 247Sports had to say about […]
A former Tennessee Vols standout who was selected on day three of the 2022 NFL Draft was named one of the draft's "biggest steals" by 247Sports.
Vols defensive lineman Matthew Butler was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round (No. 175 overall) of the draft.
Here's what 247Sports had to say about Butler:
Butler’s stock sky-rocketed during the early pre-draft process and, by all accounts, he stole the show at the Shrine Bowl, one of the few postseason games in which draft-eligible seniors off to the NFL can showcase their talents in front of league coaches and executives. Some projections had Butler going in the third and fourth rounds, so it is mildly surprising he dropped this far. He was a very disruptive defensive tackle with Tennessee and, with development, can become a great pass-rushing interior defensive lineman with the Raiders.
Butler will undoubtedly go down as an all-time fan favorite at Tennessee.
For starters, Butler returned to UT for his final season of eligibility during a time when there was a lot of uncertainty on Rocky Top. Butler could've easily decided to head elsewhere for his final collegiate season. Especially after the Jeremy Pruitt era at Tennessee ended with a recruiting scandal and the program was forced to hire a new head coach in Josh Heupel.
Instead, Butler stuck around under Heupel and became a vital team leader for the Vols in 2021.
You won't find many players with better character than Butler. He's a tremendous person, leader, and football player. The Raiders may have landed a long-term starting defensive lineman by selecting Butler in the fifth round of the draft.
And anytime you can get a long-term starter in the fifth round of the draft, it's absolutely a steal.
Featured image via Alan Poizner / USA TODAY NETWORK
