Few, if any, of Tennessee's newcomers for 2012 were as anxiously awaited by fans--and perhaps coaches--as mammoth defensive lineman Daniel McCullers. The anticipation was spurred in part by the Vols' move to a 3-4 alignment, a scheme that functions best when there's an immovable object occupying the crucial nose guard position, and the fact that the Vols didn't have anyone on the roster who immediately seemed to fit that description.

At a listed 6-foot-6, 377 pounds (which is definitely not an exaggeration), more than a few observers thought that McCullers might be able to step right in and claim the starting nose guard job from day one.

Two weeks from the opening of the 2012 season, those observers appear to have been correct.

It took McCullers a little more than a week to begin regularly lining up with the first team defense, and it's beginning to look like he's putting down roots.

...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial