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Tennessee football: Vols’ Daniel Bituli should sign NFL deal after medical check

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 30: Daniel Bituli #35 of the Tennessee Volunteers waves as he walks off the field after the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 30: Daniel Bituli #35 of the Tennessee Volunteers waves as he walks off the field after the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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Five former Tennessee football players landed with NFL teams this past weekend. A sixth, Volunteers linebacker Daniel Bituli, needs a medical check.

He was one of only three former Tennessee football players on mock NFL Draft boards heading into this past weekend. However, when the dust settled, not only was Daniel Bituli not taken in the draft. He did not sign with a team.

Darrell Taylor and Jauan Jennings were both drafted, and Marquez Callaway, Dominick Wood-Anderson and Nigel Warrior all signed deals late Saturday night. However, Sunday night arrived, and Bituli was still waiting on a deal.

Well, we have found out why. Tennessee football’s most important producer on defense from last year has to undergo a medical check, according to Wes Rucker of GoVols247. After that, he should sign a pro deal.

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Rucker’s article states that Bituli was “flagged” during the pre draft process due to his knee, and the coronavirus outbreak made it harder for prospects to get re-examined in time for the draft. However, he said that his source told him the issues should be sorted out within the next couple of weeks, and at that point, he should be good to sign a contract.

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The 6’2″ 246-pound linebacker is one of the most versatile players in the draft. He was able to play all four linebacker spots for Jeremy Pruitt, which makes sense given the fact that he was recruited as an edge rusher in Bob Shoop’s nickel-based 4-3 defense.

This past year, though, Bituli’s injuries became an issue. He missed the first two games to clean up an offseason injury, a big reason for the Vols’ 0-2 start, and then he got banged up in their comeback win over the Indiana Hoosiers in the Gator Bowl.

Nonetheless, Bituli’s absence showed how valuable he was. Without him, Rocky Top lost two home games to Group of Five programs, the Georgia State Panthers and BYU Cougars. When he returned, their only losses the rest of the year were to teams that would finish in the top 10: The Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide.

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With Bituli healthy down the stretch, Tennessee football’s defense came alive. He was named SEC Player of the Week with 19 tackles at the Kentucky Wildcats, including two goal-line tackles on third and fourth of their final drive late in the game with a chance to win. The guy is smart, versatile and athletic. Once he gets his knee cleaned up, he’s likely to be okay.

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