NFL Draft: 5 Small School Prospects to Watch
Davis Tull, OLB, Tennessee-Chattanooga
Tull is an undersized outside linebacker with a ton of heart who is likely to wind up getting drafted thanks to an extremely decorated career at Tennessee-Chattanooga. He was a three-time Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team FCS All-American in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
The SoCon’s all-time sack leader (37.0), Tull arrived at the combine needing to answer a ton of questions about just how good he was. He showed fairly well, measuring in at 6-foot-2 and 246 pounds, while posting 26 bench reps, a 42.5-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot broad jump. At his pro day he also impressed with a 4.57-second 40-yard dash.
Tull was an extremely productive college linebacker and is an extremely hard worker on the field as he never gives up on plays. He uses his hands well when engaging offensive linemen and has the short-area quickness to get by them as well. He does have short arms (31 1/4 inches) which hurts him against bigger tackles, and his technique will need to be refined at the next level.
He is strong enough to set the edge, but at the same time is a bit undersized for an edge rusher. He won’t be able to play on the defensive line in the NFL and will have to get better at dropping into coverage as an outside linebacker. Tull also has a long list of injury concerns. He missed the Senior Bowl with a torn labrum, hurt his hamstring before the combine, had sports hernia surgery after the 2013 season and broke his right femur during his senior year of high school.
Tull’s college production, his work-ethic and intensity will get him drafted this year, but he’ll almost surely be a third-day pick. He has the kind of upside that could surprise down the road if he can stay healthy.