NFL draft: Detroit Lions pick former Vols linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin in 4th round
Jalen Reeves-Maybin’s injury issues didn’t scare off the Detroit Lions.
The Lions selected the former Tennessee linebacker in the fourth round of the NFL draft on Saturday afternoon with the 124th pick overall.
"Its a relief," Reeves-Maybin said. "It's been a lot of years of working to get to the highest level and now I'm here. I don't want to waste that opportunity. Just knowing that everything I have worked for isn't in vain means a lot. I'm thankful Detroit is giving me the opportunity."
Reeves-Maybin was the first Vols player selected on Day 3 of the draft and the fourth UT player drafted overall.
Reeves-Maybin said he figured he'd have to wait until the second day. Late Friday the anxiety began.
"More or so it was later in the second round and into Saturday morning that I was on pins and needles," said Reeves-Maybin, who starred at Northeast High in Clarksville. "I just tried to relax and not think about it too much. At that point, it's out of your control and you're in wait-and-see mode."
But Reeves-Maybin said he got a phone call from Lions general manager Bob Quinn, head coach Jim Caldwell and Lions owner Martha Ford just before he was selected.
"They just told me that they valued the time I spent with them in meetings during the (NFL) combine and at my pro day," Reeves-Maybin said.
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Reeves-Maybin had surgery on his left shoulder last October and missed the final nine games of the season.
He posted 20 tackles and two tackles for loss in four games before being sidelined. During his UT career, Reeves-Maybin started 30 games with 240 tackles, including 27 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
He topped the 100-tackle mark during his sophomore and junior seasons, making 101 in 2014 and 105 in 2015. Reeves-Maybin was also a standout on special teams.
He was limited at the NFL combine because of his injury, but expressed confidence at UT's pro day that he was nearly back to full strength and could provide an NFL team with a quality playmaker.
"I was checked and re-checked," he said. "I think they know I'm ready to go."
Reeves-Maybin entered the season as an early to mid-round potential draft pick, but fell to a late-round pick in some projections because of his shoulder troubles.
The Lions determined otherwise.
"Once you get your name called, it doesn't matter what round it is," Reeves-Maybin said. "It's up to you to prove you belong. I know how hard I work and I'll get a chance to show that work, and I know I'll be fine as long as I continue to do what I've always done."
Additional reporting by George Robinson, USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee.