UTC defensive lineman Davis Tull
Mocs coach Mel Kiper predicts that UTC seniors Derrick Lott (pictured) and Davis Tull will get selected in April’s
draft, which would be a historic occasion for UTC. Two University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football players have earned the chance to have the job interview of a lifetime. Defensive linemen Derrick Lott and Davis Tull have each been invited to the annual NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Feb. 17-23.
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.”
Only about 300 draft eligible college players are invited to workout in front of coaching staffs, general managers, executives, player personnel and medical personnel from all 32 NFL teams. It’s an intense four-day process of physical and mental testing in what amounts to an extended job interview for players hoping to make an impression to either get drafted or to be picked up as a free agent.
This is the first time UTC will have two players at the combine in the same year.
“I’m like a proud parent; I hate to have to let them go, but I’m so happy for both of them,” said UTC defensive line coach Marcus West. “Davis has been with us for five years and Derrick has been here for three, so it’s still weird for me to think they’re gone. I’m going to try to make plans to be there for the combine to watch and support them.
“For any coach to have two of his players in the combine is a big deal. For a program our size to have two is a huge deal. From here they’ve given themselves a shot at being drafted. Now it’s up to them to move up somebody’s list.”
Tull is the first player in nearly 20 years to earn Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors three consecutive years and was also a three-time All American. 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, which also ranks fourth all-time for all-time at the FCS level.
Last season he had 58 tackles, 18 more for loss, 10.5 sacks and 9 quarterback hurries.
“It’s a pretty crazy feeling honestly,” said Tull, who started all 48 games of his career, program-record and was also the program’s first academic All American, earning that honor twice. “Derrick was telling me about getting an e-mail with all the information, and I was kind of worried when I didn’t get the e-mail. But then I checked my spam folder and somehow it had gotten sent there. Glad I checked there.
“I’ve been sitting here thinking about it a lot; the journey that it’s been, and I know this is the biggest job interview of our life. I’m supremely excited, but I know if you get too caught up in the emotion you can get overwhelmed so I just try to think about the process as much as possible and not the outcome.”
Tull will leave next week for south Florida to begin working out with a personal trainer in preparation for the combine. He and Lott have also both been invited to play in the annual East/West Shrine all-star game, which is set for Jan. 17 in St. Petersburg (Fla.).
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.