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. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive linemen Davis Tull and Derrick Lott may or may not be playing their final game for the Mocs tonight in New Hampshire.
What's clear to longtime NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper is that the two UTC seniors still have plenty more days to suit up.
Kiper projects the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Tull and the 6-4, 303-pound Lott to get selected in April's draft, which would make for a historic occasion for UTC. The Mocs haven't produced multiple defensive players in the same draft since it was reduced to seven rounds in 1994.
Tull arrived at UTC as an unheralded prospect from Bearden High in Knoxville and developed into a Southern Conference three-time defensive player of the year. He has amassed 56 tackles this season, 17 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles entering tonight's quarterfinal game of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
Mocs coach Mel Kiper predicts that UTC seniors Davis Tull (pictured) and Derrick Lott will get selected in April’s
draft, which would be a historic occasion for UTC. "Davis Tull is a guy who you love everything he has," Kiper said. "He's got great energy and great explosion, and there are times when it looks like he is just fired out of the blocks. He is a relentless player with great productivity, and when you get into that day-three area and are talking about the fourth through sixth rounds, you're going to get a guy who can perform and do the job for you.
"He can get after the quarterback, which is what this league is all about."
Lott was a four-star member of Georgia's 2009 recruiting class that was highlighted by quarterbacks Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger, tight ends Orson Charles and Arthur Lynch, tailback Washaun Ealey, defensive tackle Abry Jones and cornerback Branden Smith. Lott redshirted in 2009 and transferred to UTC in May 2012.
After suffering an elbow injury early last season, Lott was able to receive a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA. He has made the extra season very productive with 39 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and a forced fumble.
"If he goes to a postseason all-star game and does a good job, he's another early to mid day-three guy," Kiper said. "You're getting a player with Lott who I think is going to have a nice career in the NFL."
Tull and Lott have been invited to the East-West Shrine Game, which will be held Jan. 17 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.