At a hotel in his hometown of Muscle Shoals, Ala., Jason Allen dipped his head and said a quick, private thank you.

Now he can start packing his bags for Miami.

The Tennessee defensive back was selected with the 16th overall pick by the Dolphins in Saturday's NFL draft.

"I want to thank you for going to bat for me and I won't let you down," Allen told Miami second-year coach Nick Saban when he got the call. "I'm looking forward to going to the Super Bowl this year."

With Allen's selection, the first-round drought is over for the Vols.

"I think it's a fantastic fit," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "Coach Saban and I had a nice long sit-down visit and I think it'll work out well.

"He's looking for somebody to come in and contribute and I think Jason can do that."

The 6-foot, 209-pound defensive back became the first UT player taken in the first round since Albert Haynesworth, John Henderson and Donte Stallworth were all taken early in 2002.

No other Vols went with the first 93 picks in the draft.

"We're extremely, extremely pleased and happy we were able to select Jason Allen in the first round," Saban said. "He was one of the top players on our board."

Saban, former coach at LSU, knew Allen well from his recruiting days in Baton Rouge.

He lost out to Tennessee back then in 2002. He wasn't going to lose out twice.

"I've known this young man since high school," Saban said. "He came to our camp. I've been in his home. This is an outstanding young man. He has great leadership ability. He has great character.

"They couldn't say enough good things about him at Tennessee and he certainly had an outstanding career."

Allen becomes the 37th all-time Vol taken in the first round.

Surrounded by friends and family, Allen was just glad to be taken by a coach he's familiar with.

"I have a great relationship with Coach Saban and I worked out for him (at Tennessee)," Allen said in a conference call. "The workout went well."

Obviously.

Only three defensive backs went before Allen - Michael Huff of Texas going to Oakland at No. 7, Donte Whitner of Ohio State going to Buffalo at No. 8 and Tye Hill of Clemson going to St. Louis at No. 15.

"He has a tremendous amount of versatility as a player," Saban said. "His size and speed allow him to be a guy who may be able to play corner for us. He also has played safety.

"He's an outstanding blitzer, very good tackler and very aggressive."

Allen was thought to be a potential top 10 pick if he had entered the draft after his junior season at UT.

In 2004, he was a third-team All-America selection after leading the SEC in tackles with 123. He was the first non-linebacker to lead UT in tackles since those records began in 1970.

Still, even with a sport management degree already in hand, Allen chose to return to Knoxville.

He switched from safety to cornerback, was a Playboy preseason All-America and was off to a strong start until dislocating his hip in a collision with Georgia tight end Leonard Pope on Oct. 8.

Allen went into rehab mode and proved he was back and healthy with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in late February.

"I'm 100 percent and I'm ready to go to mini-camp," Allen said. "The hip is a non-issue."

The Dolphins went 9-7 a year ago, winning their final six games in Saban's first season.

Saban stressed he's comfortable Allen is healthy and ready to contribute for the Dolphins.

"We did a tremendous amount of research on his medical history," Saban said. "This should not be a recurring concern and we feel very comfortable with his future here."

For Allen, the wait is over. It was replaced with relief.

"My heart just fell to the floor," Allen said of his emotions when he got the call. "It felt like I got a ton of weight off my back.

"It was tough for me because I didn't know how teams felt about me with my hip injury. I was determined to come back better than ever."

He did. Now he's Miami bound.

Draft Continues: Day-two of the draft continues today with rounds 4-7.

Former Vols still hoping to hear their names called are: defensive end Parys Haralson, defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona, linebacker Omar Gaither, running back Gerald Riggs, tackle Albert Toeaina, linebacker Kevin Simon, guard Rob Smith, tackle Cody Douglas, defensive end Jason Hall, defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, receiver Chris Hannon, receiver C.J. Fayton and linebacker Jason Mitchell.

Fulmer, for one, has learned to expect nothing on draft days.

Asked if he was surprised more Vols didn't go on day one, he had an easy answer.

"I've learned not to be surprised by anything the NFL does," he said.