East defensive lineman Derrick Lott, of Tennessee Chattanooga (91), and linebacker Cole Farrand, of Maryland, during practice for the East-West Shrine college football game Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Fla.Knowing he had just a matter of days to make an impression, Derrick Lott got right to work during practice for the annual East/West Shrine all-star game.
With more than a hundred NFL scouts and executives on hand this week to watch the competition during practice leading up to the game, Lott’s ability was noticed as several team websites praised the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s former defensive lineman as one of the most impressive pro prospects.
“I feel like everything went about as good as I could hope,” Lott said. “It’s definitely a great experience to come here and learn from ex-NFL players and coaches. It’s an all-star game, so I’m having fun but also learning a whole lot.
“These guys have lots of experience, and just to compete with and work with the elite offensive and defensive linemen around me will help me be ready for that level. Plus if you make some plays against these guys, it helps you to get noticed.”
The game kicks off today at 4 p.m. at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., and will be televised on the NFL Network, but with so much attention from scouts given to each day’s practice, the week preceding it can be just as important if not more so for players.
And the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Lott, who has been working with a personal trainer in Cincinnati since getting an invitation to February’s NFL draft combine, has received more than his share of recognition all week.
One team representative posted on the Buffalo Bills website that Lott “has stepped his play up well to his level of competition this week and has been one of the most impressive players on the field. He was a consistent winner against the East offensive linemen in practices, showing an impressive combination of burst, power and hand skills as he has been able to explode into his opponents off the snap and quickly work them into the backfield.”
In addition to being dominant in Tuesday’s one-on-ones, Lott forced a fumble while sacking the quarterback during team drills at the end of practice.
Lott also was among the individual players praised on PhiladelphiaEagles.com, which said in its evaluation that Lott “took full advantage of his opportunity on the big stage. Lott looked athletic, powerful and on more than one occasion dominated opponents. He needs a bit of refinement on the nuances of the position, but there’s no doubt scouts came away impressed with Lott’s performance.”
He previously was projected to be a late-round draft choice but seems to be rising on several teams’ boards. According to Footballinsiders.com, “Lott was disruptive throughout the entire practice with his active hands and deceptive quickness. He is a player who wasn’t on many people’s radars, but his performance today should change that.”
Lott was an All-Southern Conference selection with 13.5 tackles for loss and six sacks last season to go with 41 total tackles and six quarterback hurries. At times the former four-star prep recruit and University of Georgia transfer was unblockable at the FCS level.
UTC defensive end Davis Tull did not participate in this week’s practice and instead returned to his training in Florida to rehab a minor injury. He is working out to prepare for the draft combine as well. Lott and Tull were only the fourth and fifth UTC players to be invited to play in the Shrine game, joining quarterback B.J. Coleman (2012), tight end Travis McNeal (1988) and center Forrest Wolfe (1970).
“It really hit me once I signed with my agent,” Lott said. “Since I put pen to paper I know it’s serious business trying to get to the NFL. It’s no longer college or playing football to win something for the team or fans. That would come later if I make it. Right now, things like this week’s workout, this game, the combine and our pro day back in Chattanooga, all of that is for myself, because that’s my chance.
“I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve got, and I’m just trying to stay humble and learn as much as I can about everything that will help me make it.”
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.