Derrick Lott
UTC's Davis Tull (90) looks to the sidelines.Two University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football players have earned the chance to have the job interview of a life. Defensive linemen Derrick Lott and Davis Tull have each been invited to the annual NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis Feb. 17-23.
Only about 300 draft eligible college players are invited to workout in front of team officials from all 32 NFL teams and this is the first time UTC will have two players at the combine in the same year. The last Mocs to earn invitations to the combine were quarterback B.J. Coleman in 2012 and cornerback Buster Skrine in 2011.
"It's a really big deal for both of those guys and it's also big for our program," Mocs coach Russ Huesman said. "It says a lot about both those guys that they're well thought of in NFL circles as having that type potential. It should make them feel really good and I know they'll both be ready for it. Not a lot of people get these shots and they know you've got to make the most of it."
Tull is the first player to earn Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors three consecutive years in nearly 20 years. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder, who played defensive end at UTC but projects as an NFL linebacker, is also the conference record holder for career sacks with 37 and had 60 tackles for loss.
The 6-foot-4, 303-pound Lott was a 4-star prep prospect who transferred to UTC from Georgia and played his final two seasons at defensive tackle with the Mocs, earning All SoCon honors. Last season he had 51 tackles, 13.5 for loss and six sacks.
"Derrick is freakish in so many ways," said UTC defensive line coach Marcus West. "You just don't see guys his size who can run like he can and are so explosive and powerful coming off the ball. There will be a lot of people interested in him because of his potential and I think a lot of teams will be blown away when they see Davis Tull work out in person.
"I'm just really happy for both these guys to have this opportunity."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.