Vols Tight End, Jacob Warren, secures NFL opportunity with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent.

Joe Milton III wasn’t the sole newcomer from Tennessee seen at the New England Patriots’ rookie minicamp this weekend. Following his six-year tenure with the Vols, tight end Jacob Warren embarked on the next phase of his career, participating in his inaugural NFL practices after the Patriots announced his signing as an undrafted free agent on Friday. Warren, who caught passes from Milton for three seasons at Tennessee, reunited with his former teammate in Foxborough.

Warren’s signing with the Patriots post-draft was first disclosed by ESPN’s Patriots reporter Mike Reiss. He joins a list of former Vols confirmed as undrafted free agent signings by their respective teams, including tight end McCallan Castles (Eagles), wide receiver Ramel Keyton (Raiders), wide receiver/return specialist Dee Williams (Seahawks), cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally (Titans), running back Jabari Small (Titans), and offensive tackle Jeremiah Crawford (Panthers).

With most NFL teams hosting their rookie minicamps this weekend, numerous ex-Vols, whether draft picks or rookie free agents, took to the field for their new franchises.

Warren becomes the third Tennessee tight end to secure an UDFA deal in the NFL over the past two seasons, following Princeton Fant (Cowboys) last year and Castles this year. The Knoxville native and former Farragut High School standout amassed 54 career games at Tennessee, recording 53 receptions for 607 yards and eight touchdowns. He was also instrumental as a blocker for Tennessee’s rushing offense, which amassed over 2,500 yards on the ground in each of the past three seasons, a first in Vols history, and topped the SEC charts last season.

Off the field, Warren demonstrated academic prowess, making the SEC Academic Honor Roll five times, and was recognized for his community service efforts, earning a spot on the SEC Community Service Team in 2022. He was also a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy, a nominee for the Wuerffel Trophy, and an AFCA Good Works Team nominee in 2023.

Following a redshirt year in 2018 and limited play in 2019, Warren started 20 games over the next three seasons before starting all 13 games as a sixth-year senior in 2023. He scored his first career touchdown in the 2020 finale against Texas A&M and added touchdowns against Pittsburgh, Tennessee Tech, and Kentucky in 2021. In 2022, Warren didn’t catch any touchdown passes but rebounded with four touchdowns last season, including receptions against Virginia, South Carolina, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt, with a career-best 82 yards in his final game at Neyland Stadium.

After making his 33rd start for Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl, Warren, who earned two degrees during his time at Rocky Top, received invitations to the Hula Bowl and Tennessee’s Pro Day. At the Pro Day, he measured in at 6-foot-6, 251 pounds, with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, ran a 4.93-second 40-yard dash, and recorded a 31.5-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-5-inch broad jump.

Mel Kiper of ESPN ranked Warren as the 21st tight end in the draft, while Dane Brugler of The Athletic placed him at No. 26 in his position rankings.