Daniel McCullers is easily one of the most massive men in college football. McCullers was listed at 377 pounds last season -- the key word is "listed." The interior defender has undergone a physical transformation to play in Butch Jones' system this season.
"The former 400-pounder hopes to play in the 340-350 pound range next year and will look to improve upon his 2012 campaign when he recorded 39 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, one sack and forced one fumble," Daniel Lewis of Nooga.com wrote.
McCullers was listed at 351 pounds during spring camp. Jones previously said the current Volunteers have never went through a training regiment like they experienced this off season under new strength and conditioning coach Dave Lawson. McCullers has become the program's poster boy.
"Butch Jones said DT Daniel McCullers has lost more than 60 lbs since he got on campus. 'Shoot, he probably still weighs 340,'" ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach tweeted.
"Jones said he wants McCullers to be able to play an 8- to 10-play series at a very high level, instead of 2 to 3 plays at a time."
The importance of the change in McCullers is how he will be utilized this season. McCullers will no longer be asked to clog the middle of the defense as a nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme. Tennessee is transitioning back to a 4-3 front under Jones' supervision. McCullers predominantly played 3-technique during the Volunteers' spring game. As a 3-technique, McCullers will be asked to penetrate and become more of a disruptive force at defensive tackle. McCullers' improved physique will certainly make him more of a threat as opposing teams will now have to game plan for the same massive lineman with added agility and quickness.
Edward Aschoff
Ranking the SEC's DTs: No. 3 Daniel McCullers
"The Vols have to figure out where to put all the pieces to their defensive line puzzle, but McCullers should be just fine in the middle. He's a mountain of a player (6-8, 351 pounds) and clogs quite the hole along Tennessee's defensive line. But he has to be more than just a space eater this fall. He'll need more than 5.5 tackles for loss and one sack for this defense."