Early Expectations- As soon as early enrollee Shy Tuttle walked through the doors of the team meeting room in the Anderson Training Center, the consensus four-star defensive tackle was greeted with a host of flashing cameras and inquisitive reporters.

Yet, the media’s eagerness to speak with 6-2, 305 Lexington, North Carolina Native should come as no surprise.

Ever since his commitment to Tennessee on September 26th, there was chatter that Tuttle’s talent might help form a defensive line that could terrorize opposing offensive lines in 2015.

The chatter has since grown into a clamor after true freshman defensive end Derek Barnett recorded 10 sacks during the 2014 season and high school standout defensive end Kyle Phillips committed to Tennessee during the Army All-American Bowl on January 3rd.

But when asked whether he and fellow early enrollee Phillips ever discuss the possibility of becoming the next great defensive line duo at Tennessee, Tuttle stated the conversations between him and Phillips don’t usually go in that direction.

“We aren’t really talking much about football, we are just hanging out,” Tuttle said. “I mean we talked about it a little, but we just talk more as friends than recruits.”

Phillips opined that the defensive line could be good if each member poured in hard work.

“I think this group can do really well,” Phillips said. “We still have a lot of work to do. There are a lot of high expectations for our freshmen class, but we have to put in work in the classroom and on the field just to show you guys how good we can be. As the season progresses, we’ll see how it goes. We have, definitely, enough talent to be as good as people say, but we still have to work hard to get to that point.”

Fellow early enrollee and defensive end Andrew Butcher was more bold when offering his opinion on the 2015 defensive line’s ceiling.

“I think it is going to be one of the best of all time if we just keep our heads on straight and continue to work at it,” Butcher said. “I mean we talk all the time about working together and how special it is going to be and we are really looking forward to it.”

Commenting on Committing- Every early enrollee provided a similar answer when asked why he decided to attend UT.

The enrollees praised the way the Tennessee coaching staff develops relationships with players.

“They talk about life instead of just football all the time,” Butcher said. “(They) get to know you as a person instead of just a football player.”

Phillips echoed similar sentiments on the coaching staff.

“It was so exciting just to see how the coaches take care of the players,” Phillips said. “And how much they care about the players just not on the field, but off the field as well. They want you to succeed in every aspect in life.”

Extra Point- When asked whether he played in the backfield in high school, Tuttle admitted that he played fullback when his team was close to the goal line.

He even scored six touchdowns in his junior year and two in his senior year when playing the fullback position.

Tuttle didn’t object to the idea of occasionally playing in the backfield in college

“I liked to (play fullback),” Tuttle said with a chuckle. “That would be fun.”