Kamal

Hadden

A transfer from Independence Community College, Hadden (6’1/196) recorded 16 pass breakups and five interceptions over the past two seasons, leading the Vols in interceptions each year despite missing 10 games due to injury. Hadden has good ball skills and attacks the receiver at the catch point, allowing only a 36.4% reception rate and one reception of 15+ yds. However, he ran a disappointing 4.57s 40-yard dash (48th%) and 7.15s 3-Cone (36th%). Hadden went from JUCO to the SEC and started all three seasons playing both left and right outside corner. Although he lacks top-end speed and tackling ability, his ball skills will intrigue a Cover 2 heavy NFL defensive unit.

Hadden (6'2/185) spent two years at the JUCO level in 2019 and 2020. He then signed with Auburn early in 2021, but just a few months later, he walked it back and entered the transfer portal. Hadden has now decided on a new SEC home in Knoxville. Hadden is one of Tennessee’s first pickups since switching over to Josh Heupel as the new HC. Hadden was a top-50 JUCO recruit during the 2021 cycle.

Hadden (6'2/185) originally signed with Central Michigan back in December of 2018, but never enrolled there and instead chose to go the JUCO route in order to boost his value. His plan worked, as Hadden’s standout play caught the eye of several Power Five programs such as Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Nebraska, Texas Tech and Arizona. He had just enrolled at Auburn in mid-January and attended their spring practices, but clearly is not happy with his spot on the Tigers’ depth chart. He will likely revisit his possibilities with one of his previous suitors.