Montori Hughes To Anchor Indianapolis Colts Defensive Line?
By Zach Ragan
Former Tennessee Volunteers defensive tackle Montori Hughes was not highly rated coming out of high school in Murfreesboro, TN.
In fact, Rivals only rated Hughes as a two-star recruit.
The Tennessee native flashed potential in college, but was never given a full chance to put it all together after being removed from the UT football team by then head coach Derek Dooley.
Hughes transferred to UT-Martin where he played one season, before declaring early for the NFL Draft.
The Indianapolis Colts, however, thought enough of Martin’s potential to trade up in the fifth round to select the 6’4″/335 lb defensive tackle in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Injuries derailed Hughes’ rookie campaign, but it didn’t stop his teammates from seeing his full potential.
Colts defensive lineman Fili Moala recently had extremely positive things to say about Hughes to Colts.com
"Moala: Tori[Montori Hughes] can be as good as he wants to be. He has all the physical tools, smart, classroom guy and he applies it well out on the field. How much work he puts in, that’s how much he’s going to get out. The sky’s the limit for that guy."
Moala took the praise a step further by telling Colts.com that he could envision Hughes, along with third-year man Josh Champman, being the anchor of the Colts’ defense.
This isn’t the first time that Hughes has received praise from those in the Colts organization. Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano said last year during OTA’s that he believes Hughes will be “special”.
Jul 31, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Montori Hughes (73) walks across the field to head to his workout area during training camp at Anderson University. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Hughes has a long way to go before he’s the anchor that his teammates envision him being, but the fact that they believe he’s capable of such things is a great sign for the former Vol.
It’s also another example of the talent that was squandered during the Derek Dooley era.
But that’s a conversation for another day.