Former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive end Davis Tull is eagerly awaiting this weekend’s NFL draft.
Tull has been projected as a third- or fourth-round outside linebacker, and getting selected in the third round would enable him to match former receiver Terrell Owens as the highest-drafted player in Mocs history. Owens went 89th overall to the San Francisco 49ers in the 1996 draft.
Tuesday afternoon, Tull was a guest of “Press Row” on Chattanooga’s ESPN 105.1 FM.
Q: Where will you watch the draft, and what company will you keep?
A: “I’m going to keep it low key. I will probably hang out at the home with my family and have some friends over. I want to keep this as least stressful as possible.”
Q: You could be drafted late Friday night or early Saturday afternoon. Are you imagining that as a pretty nervous time?
A: “My dream and my goal would obviously be to go on Friday, but you’ve got to prepare for anything. I know people in the past who thought they would get drafted in the first or second round and never got drafted, so you have to be prepared for it all. I’m going to try and enjoy this as much as possible and not put any expectations on myself.”
Q: Which teams have you heard from the most?
A: “We’ve heard from a lot of different teams. In the last two or three days, probably 20 to 25 teams have called. I went on visits to New Orleans, Atlanta and Pittsburgh, and Cleveland tried to set up a visit. There is some good interest out there, and I’m excited about it.”
Q: Could you have envisioned this in high school, when you were injured and had Bowl Subdivision programs passing on you?
A: “I didn’t have this in my mind as a reality, but when I came in as a freshman, I had a goal sheet written down. I kept it to myself, because I didn’t want anyone to think I was crazy, but the ultimate goal was to get drafted.”
Q: Have you thought about potentially matching Terrell Owens as the highest-picked player in Mocs history?
A: “I was not aware of that. That would be a great honor.”
Q: Does it matter whether you’re in a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense?
A: “I think I could play in either, because in a lot of the rush packages the linebackers come up to the line anyway. A lot of 4-3 teams want me at the Sam and then a nickel rusher, so I would have a few coverage responsibilities and still get to rush on third downs. In a 3-4, I would get to stay out on the edge.
“I feel like I would be comfortable in a linebacker role, because I could utilize my quickness and speed in the open space as opposed to putting my hand in the dirt on every play. I’m excited about learning a new position and getting some new teaching. As a football fan, I’ve always liked to learn.”
Q: What has been your favorite and least favorite part of this process up to now?
A: “My favorite part has been getting to travel and getting to meet new people. I was fortunate to train down in south Florida, and that was great. It was great to go to the combine and see your competition. I’ve made a lot of friends and a lot of connections, and that’s been a blessing.
“I don’t know if you can have a worst part of being in this situation. It can be stressful at times and you can get a little busy, but I’m not complaining one bit.”
Q: Turning to our rapid fire, what NFL team has always had your favorite uniform?
A: “Miami or Pittsburgh. Both of those.”
Q: What restaraunt do you miss the most in Chattanooga?
A: “Bea’s.”
Q: Who have you met in this class of draft prospects that you thought was really cool?
A: “(Clemson defensive end) Vic Beasley is a really down-to-earth guy.”
Q: What was the oddest question asked of you in the interview process?
A: “You know, I didn’t get one of those crazy questions. You always hear about them, but mine were pretty basic.”
Q: What was your Wonderlic score?
A: “I don’t know. They don’t tell us those scores. They haven’t let us know.”
Q: Have you thought about your life being forever changed after this weekend?
A: “I really hope it’s changed for the better, and I have a lot of people to thank if that happens for helping me get to this point.”
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.