Jerod Mayo’s quick rise up NFL draft boards culminated Saturday afternoon, when the former University of Tennessee star linebacker was selected No. 10 overall by the New England Patriots.

Mayo led the Southeastern Conference with 140 tackles as junior last season despite a preseason move to middle linebacker, a position he had never played. Mayo was named a second-team All-American by Rivals.com after his sophomore season at weakside linebacker, his most comfortable position.

After adjusting to his new position, Mayo led UT’s late charge to the SEC Eastern Division championship with 60 tackles in the Vols’ last four games. Despite those gaudy statistics and a sterling off-the-field reputation, he was initially given a second- or third-round grade from the NFL draft’s advisory committee. He, UT coach Phillip Fulmer and defensive coordinator John Chavis dismissed that evaluation, though, vowing that he wouldn’t fall that far.

“When they get to know what kind of a football player and what kind of a person Jerod is, I just can’t see that happening,” Chavis said shortly after Mayo announced his decision to forego his senior season.

Coach Bill Belichick’s Patriots traded down from the No. 7 spot earlier Saturday, taking Mayo moments after Southern California linebacker Keith Rivers went No. 9 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Patriots have had one of the NFL’s best defenses for several seasons, but their linebacking corps is one of the league’s oldest.

Mayo — who graduated with a degree in sports management in less than four years — might be the only UT player taken Saturday’s first two rounds, but tight end Brad Cottam and quarterback Erik Ainge remain possibilities.

Read www.timesfreepress.com throughout the day and Sunday’s print edition for more information.

E-mail Wes Rucker at wrucker@timesfreepress.com

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