Gaulden declares for NFL Draft

KNOXVILLE — Jeremy Pruitt’s need to find reinforcements for Tennessee’s secondary grew a little bit more urgent on Wednesday.

Tennessee redshirt junior nickel back Rashaan Gaulden announced his plan to declare for the 2018 NFL Draft in a message posted to his Twitter account.

“It has been an honor to wear the Orange and White, and represent the Power T while playing in Neyland Stadium the last four years,” Gaulden wrote in the post.

The Nashville native may have been Tennessee’s most consistent defender during the 2017 season. His season began with a splash when he forced a key fumble in Tennessee’s season-opening win over Georgia Tech, and he became the defense’s most consistent playmaker during the 4-8 campaign.

Gaulden finished the year with 65 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception. Gaulden received national attention when he made an obscene gesture toward Alabama fans during Tennessee’s 45-7 loss at Alabama. He apologized for the gesture after the game and was not suspended.

Tennessee is also losing its top three cornerbacks from the 2017 season to graduation. Pruitt, who was announced as Tennessee’s coach last month, signed 14 players during December’s early signing period. The group consisted of four offensive linemen, four defensive linemen, two tight ends, a wide receiver, a running back, a quarterback and a kicker.