Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano Impressed By Montori Hughes

Jan 23, 2013; Mobile AL, USA; Senior Bowl South Squad offensive lineman Oday Aboushi of Virginia (72) blocks Senior Bowl South Squad defensive lineman Montori Hughes of Tennessee-Martin (54) during the Senior Bowl south squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

When the Indianapolis Colts moved up in the fifth round to select former Tennessee Volunteer Montori Hughes, they knew they were getting a bargain on a defensive tackle.

Hughes was removed from the Tennessee football team by former head coach Derek Dooley, violating team rules, in 2011. He played at UT-Martin last season. So even though the Colts knew they were getting a bargain, he did come with a few character concerns.

So far the Colts and Chuck Pagano have been very impressed by Hughes. Pagano had some great things to day about Hughes during a conference call with Colts season ticket holders on Wednesday.

"I’m going to knock on wood and go out on a limb but this kid’s going to special. You are talking 6-4 and 340 pounds and he moves like an outside linebacker . If you watch this kid go through the bags and do some of the things that he’s doing at the size that he’s doing is just tremendous."

That’s some hefty praise for a guy that’s never played a down in the NFL and was drafted in the fifth round.

Pagano and several draft analysts have marveled at Hughes’ athletic ability. Mike Mayock said of him “He’s a height-weight speed freak… it’s just a matter of getting it out”.

Hughes is definitely a talented player and if anyone can inspire success — it’s Chuck Pagano.