Tennessee looks to get back into the business of producing high-profile NFL draft picks today with linebacker Kevin Burnett leading the way.

Burnett is projected to go as high as 23rd in the first round to the Seattle Seahawks. The Indianapolis Colts, who have the 29th pick in the first round, auditioned Burnett at a private workout in Knoxville earlier this month and are another possible employer.

At the latest, Burnett is expected to go in the second round with the 35th pick to the Philadelphia Eagles, according Frank Coyle, who scouts for and publishes the NFL Draft Insider’s Digest.

Burnett said he’s been doing his best to stay busy around his home in California in the days leading up to the draft.

"I’m not worried about if I go in the first round," Burnett said. "I’m just waiting for it to happen. I’ve been cleaning up around the house, going to the mall, whatever I can do."

UT defensive coordinator John Chavis, whose last first-round linebacker was Al Wilson in 1999, said Burnett will be an asset for whichever team picks him.

"Kevin’s ability and character make him a solid first-round pick," Chavis said. "He has very good speed, and he plays the game very physical. Then you consider his character, and you have what everyone is looking for."

Last year, it appeared no one in the NFL was looking very hard at Tennessee players.

The first day of the 2004 draft was "Black Saturday" for the Vols. For the first time since 1975, there were no UT players selected in the first three rounds.

While this year isn’t exactly the bonanza, the Vols have had in past seasons — seven players were selected within the first 57 picks of the 2000 draft — Coyle said as many as three UT players could be selected today. Offensive tackle Michael Munoz and punter Dustin Colquitt join Burnett as first-day possibilities, and another three or four Vols could get drafted Sunday.

Tennessee has had more players drafted (72) since Phillip Fulmer’s first season as head coach than any program in the country. Ohio State (71) is second, followed by Florida State (69) and Miami (64).

Coyle said he expects the Vols to be among the nation’s leaders in producing first-day picks next year.

"I still see most of Tennessee’s blue-chip talent as being underclassmen," said Coyle. "You’re talking at least five first-day guys next year. Jason Allen, Jesse Mahelona, Gerald Riggs, Albert Toeaina and those linebackers ? there’s a lot of talent there. I guess the pressure will be on Fulmer to win next year, huh?

"Down there, they’re not happy with division titles, they want it all. Kind of like N.Y. Yankees fans. They get used to winning and go berserk after a couple of bad weeks. They expect them to go 162-0."

Evaluation

Here’s a look at how the Tennessee players have been evaluated by Croyle and News Sentinel writer Mike Griffith

OLB KEVIN BURNETT

Coyle: He could go anywhere from Seattle in the first round into the early second round. I can’t imagine him getting past the Eagles in the second. He can play either side in the 4-3.

Griffith: Kevin’s workouts were adequate, but not as spectacular as expected. He’s a great weakside linebacker who’s great in pursuit and quick off the edge blitzing. The Colts seem very interested.

OT MICHAEL MUNOZ

Coyle: I think he’s a probable first-day guy, but he’s not in the top five to six tackles. He needs that third tackle to come off the board in the first round, then have a couple other tackles go ahead of him.

Griffith: Michael was considered a little "soft," and that hurt him, but once he gets into NFL camp he’ll turn it up. At least one team will have fallen in love with his character and upside. He’ll go by mid third round.

P DUSTIN COLQUITT

Coyle: He’s an early second-day guy, maybe to the New York Jets. It’s a good year for punters and kickers. He wasn’t overly impressive at the Senior Bowl.

Griffith: That groin injury really slowed Dustin down. If he gets over it, he could be a future Pro Bowler. He’s a very good athlete who gets the kick off quickly, high and accurately. It wouldn’t be a stretch to see him go third round.

RB CEDRIC HOUSTON

Coyle: He’s another middle-round guy. I like him a lot. If I’m drafting, he’s my fourth-round pick. He should go fourth or fifth round. I think he could start in the NFL. I’d love to see the Giants take him on the second day.

Griffith: Cedric didn’t take care of business during his workouts, and it’s going to cost him. He can be productive with the right team and leadership. He’d be a good fit for the Cardinals or 49ers in the fourth to sixth round.

WR TONY BROWN

Coyle: Those workout numbers he posted are wicked. You have to look at them. You get to the sixth and seventh round, it’s hard to deny those numbers. He made himself draftable.

Griffith: No one expected Tony to run a 4.41 40 and vertical 41 inches. He was a possession receiver at UT, but his workout will help him a ton. Could go as high as the fifth round.

C JASON RESPERT

Coyle: It happens to be a good year for centers. I think at least five carry starting grades and a lot of guys worked out well who are ahead of him. He’s a high priority free agent. Playing at Tennessee helped.

Griffith: Agree with Coyle, Jason is a likely free agent. He looks good now, shedding weight and finally healthy. Not going to the NFL Combine hurt.

RB JABARI DAVIS

Coyle: He’s a big athletic kid. He could be a swing back, and if he can run down and make some tackles on special teams, he’ll win a roster spot. It’s a very good year at running back, so he’s a free agent.

Griffith: Jabari’s reluctance to play fullback has hurt him. He’s very durable and unselfish, and has been a special teams whiz. Do the NFL teams know it though? Seventh round pick.

DE KARLTON NEAL

Coyle: Just as a camp guy. He’s the kind of kid who has to play more, develop more, get bigger, stronger, faster.

Griffith: Fits into the same role as past UT ends Omari Hand, Bernard Jackson and DeAngelo Lloyd. Good character guy will need to work hard to make a roster as a free agent.

WR DERRICK TINSLEY

Coyle: I listed him with wide receivers. Probably a camp guy. Him and Brown, one of them will be drafted into a camp.

Griffith: Lots of untapped potential here, but coming off a broken leg will hurt him. Probable free agent will make a team, though.

TE VICTOR MCCLURE

Coyle: If he could long snap, he could win a spot. If he can do one thing well, he’s got a shot. He’s a free agent who has to come in and impress.

Griffith: Very big, but also athletic. He won’t be drafted, and whether or not he makes a team will depend on how hard he works in the offseason.

KR COREY LARKINS

Coyle: I doubt he gets picked. He’s a camp guy at best.

Griffith: Never settled on a position. Great athlete, but didn’t run well for the scouts (4.5 40).

QB C.J. LEAK

Coyle: I spoke with him at the Senior Bowl. He’s athletic enough, but can he throw an H-back role, a safety role? If you can do two things reasonably well, you have a shot of making a roster. He moves well, and he’s a big kid.

Griffith: If determination counted for anything, C.J. would find his way into the NFL. He’ll need to be careful to pick the right team to sign with as a free agent.