Tree-trunk legs with a waistline that might be chest-high for most. An upper body that made the Virtually no. 96 look remarkably due to scale. Just mass, limitless mass, and a low-cut jersey that can serve as a gown for many people mere mortals.
The legend of Tn defensive tackle Daniel McCullers and his incredible physical presence has exploded since this image surfaced. Others photos have put into practice, each just as hard to be familiar with. With a season inside the SEC under his gigantic belt, however, the likely of college football's leading being remains a mystery.
On his official Tn bio, McCullers is stated at 6'8" and 360 lbs. This is actually all the way down from his playing weight last year—around 380 pounds—but much heavier than his active senior offseason trim.
"Man Mountain / hill, " "Mount McCullers, " "Big Dan" and additionally "Ton DMC" (clearly the winner in the bunch) are just a good number the nicknames that McCullers provides acquired since arriving with Knoxville. And while they still apply, McCullers is below a 350-pound mark for the first time since his freshman season.
More specifically, for the first time since his freshman year of high school, McCullers is down less than 350 pounds. Calling him or her "big" doesn't do him justice.
"I've covered the SEC for all but a few years since 2000 and he tops every one of them, " said Wes Rucker, senior citizen writer at GoVols247 exactly who still marvels at each Tennessee practice. "He will make 6-4, 300-pound linemen be like linebackers. It's amazing. "
If ever the name Daniel McCullers is a new comers to you, you're likely not alone. After spending his freshman along with sophomore seasons at Atlanta Military College, he utilized in Tennessee before his jr season.
While his size is actually well known, the rest is not. Scouts and coaches have had a difficult time evaluating McCullers because his dimensions have yet to pan out to consistent dominance along the defensive front.
247Sports had him rated for the reason that No. 41 JUCO player plus the No. 6 defensive attend to. He recorded 37 tackles, nine for loss, in addition to two sacks in their final season at Atlanta Military Academy while becoming recruited by former Tn coach Derek Dooley.
Taking part in under Dooley, his figures were comparable against much-improved level of competition. In 12 games for Tennessee, McCullers recorded 39 discusses (including eight against Georgia), five-and-a-half for loss then one sack.
On one play especially in the game with Georgia, his unbelievable likely was on full showcase. Although Aaron Murray completed the pass for any substantial gain, McCullers bulldozed Georgia's 300-pound target, moving him like a shopping cart with a bad table.
His 2012 season was a good all round foundation considering the critical upgrade in talent. Always, his ceiling is still due to sight. His play (and effort), by the accounts of his motor coach buses, still isn't always where it really should be.
New Tennessee head coach Butch Jones is hoping this talent has focus. McCullers is keeping his weight down in an effort to improve his conditioning, and expectations are starting to build.
As both Butch Jones in addition to defensive line coach David Stripling push him, hoping which he realizes this potential, McCullers is doing what he has usually done: quietly go approximately his business.
"He's a really wonderful kid, but he's incredibly soft-spoken and hates drawing attention to himself off the arena, " Rucker added. "You be required to strain to hear him or her. I never imagined a really big guy would have a really quiet voice. "
Tennessee isn't concerned with his demeanor. Instead it's relying upon McCullers to help end the run, something that's problematic a season past. The Vols ranked 87th with run in 2012, providing 4. 75 yards per carry and abandoning 25 touchdowns on the floor.
The defense is undergoing just one more overhaul, switching to a much more traditional 4-3 front compared to the 3-4 run underneath former defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri. Designed for McCullers, this will means opportunities being more than just some space-eater. He'll have opportunities to disrupt, and a rapid influx of batted balls wouldn't be a surprise, either.
ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper has McCullers ranked being the No. 4 defensive tackle in the united states and No. 43 all around on his yearly major board. Other scouts and draft analysts will doubtless be fascinated with this unique prospect simply because of his size. If they can back it up with improved play, the buzz might enormous.
"Some people believe that he's a first-rounder. I'm sure that remains to certain you're seen, but he's really a better athlete than most families probably imagine, " Rucker mentioned on his draft possibilities. "When he wants to look fast, he's not impede. NFL teams will note that. Many already have witnessed it. "
Just the amount McCullers improves during his senior year are going to be telling. His improvement could mean a quick start for a program that would love to add wins and early success to your recent recruiting momentum. It would also mean an added bank checking account boost for McCullers appear next spring's NFL write.
Whether or not a slimmed-down McCullers finally attains his potential this fall remains being seen, although he's one to be mindful of in the SEC.
*Adam Kramer will be the Lead Football Writer to get Bleacher Report. Unless if not noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.
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