Good things often come in small packages. But ya know, good things come in big packages, too.
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Monday was the official weigh in for the 2014 Reese’s Senior Bowl, and Daniel McCullers led the “weigh,” — in both height and weight — measuring 6’6 7/8 and 348 pounds as he and Ja’Wuan James will be Tennessee’s only two representatives at the event.
Mount McCullers was the tallest and heaviest player measured, but not to be taken. . . wait for it for it. . . lightly, James measured 6’6 1/8 and 315 pounds with arms reaching 33 3/8 inches.
Arm length is one of the most important metrics when evaluating offensive line prospects. While there are collisions on every snap, blocking isn’t done so much with the body as it’s done with the arms and hands. A longer reach allows you to keep your opponent at bay, similar in principle to boxing. Lineman with longer arms maximize their size and have an advantage in controlling their opponent. Defenders will have a tough time getting by you if they can’t get within arm’s reach.
Typically, you want your longer-armed prospects on the outside of the line playing tackle. James, who started every game in his Tennessee career, 49 to be exact, at right tackle has average-sized arms for an NFL tackle prospect. Any arm length over 35 inches is considered ideal, and arms under 32 inches are below average by most NFL standards. Obviously, this is a general rule and not an exact science, and as with any other rule, there are most certainly exceptions.
NFLDraftScout.com’s Senior NFL Draft Analyst for Rob Rang watched Monday’s practice, and had this to say about the former Volunteer offensive lineman:
Tennessee right tackle Ju’Wuan James hasn’t received a lot of fanfare but he is a smooth athlete at 6-foot-6, 315 pounds. He was beaten on occasion but plays with terrific knee bend and got to the second level during scrimmages.
James is currently projected to go anywhere from the third to the fifth round in May’s draft.
While Daniel McCullers has the size NFL scouts look for — measured #1 at the event in height, weight, arm length, wingspan and #2 in hand size — in a 0-technique nose guard for a 3-4 defense, there are still concerns that all that weight he carries isn’t good weight. Another NFLDraftScout.com analyst that covered the event, Dane Bruger, expressed his concerns with McCuller’s body.
DTDaniel McCullers: 6067 348. Not the most impressive physique
McCullers has trimmed significantly — dropping 30 pounds, give or take a cheeseburger or two — since he originally enrolled at Tennessee, but never quite dominated like the Vols hoped. Fans were treated to tantalizing morsels of Big Dan’s potential, occasionally, like his annihilation of Alex Bullard in the Tennessee Drill during spring practice, and his manhandling of this poor sap from Georgia:
Alas, plays like that were few and far between for McCullers. A soft, quiet demeanor keeps those beastly exhibitions to just that — exhibitions. Dan lacks that ferocious, it’s-me-or-you killer instinct needed to use his size and dominate his opponents. He has the size, but needs to flip that switch. Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net wasn’t impressed with McCullers’ showing at Monday’s practice.
Daniel McCullers/DT/Tennessee looks awful in drills. Slow and sluggish.
Here’s to James and McCullers each having a good week of practice and improving their draft stock. The Reese’s Senior Bowl will be held in Mobile, Ala., Friday, January 25 at 4 p.m.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]