Tennessee Vols DL has unique connection to Titans' Harold Landry
INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL's annual scouting combine is always a great reminder of just how small the football world is. That's certainly the case for former Tennessee Vols defensive lineman Matthew Butler and Harold Landry of the Tennessee Titans. There are certainly worse affiliations to have. Butler is one of four Tennessee players invited to Indianapolis […]
INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL's annual scouting combine is always a great reminder of just how small the football world is. That's certainly the case for former Tennessee Vols defensive lineman Matthew Butler and Harold Landry of the Tennessee Titans.
There are certainly worse affiliations to have.
Butler is one of four Tennessee players invited to Indianapolis for pre-draft workouts and medical evaluations. Whether the Titans end up adding him in the upcoming NFL Draft remains to be seen, but preexisting relationships with the defensive personnel never hurts. Landry, 25, is one of the most valuable players set to hit the open market when free agency begins.
Butler and Landry have history
Whether Landry returns to Tennessee on a new deal or the franchise tag next season is not yet clear.
Regardless, Landry has already had an impact on a potential Titans draft pick's football life. Butler credited Landry with teaching him the fundamentals of his position at a foundational level.
"I played with (Landry) my freshman year of high school with Pine Forrest High School," Butler said. "He really introduced me, way back when, when I was 13, 14 years old to defensive line play. I was just bouncing around everywhere, tight end, offensive line, running back, fullback, linebacker, he really introduced me to d-line play along with (former Georgia offensive lineman) Lamont Gaillard back then."
Coming out of Tennessee at 6-3 and 299 pounds, Butler can play in a variety of different fronts at the next level.
League talent evaluators are impressed with his first-step quickness and flexibility for a man that size. The former Vol's length at the NFL level is less than ideal, but the effort and experience are unquestionable. The Titans are always keen on continuing to stock a productive defensive line with solid talent behind Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry.
General manager Jon Robinson spoke about the Titans intent to bring Landry back next season and the cost/benefit analysis of resigning him on my 104.5 The Zone radio show this week.
Titans have met with Butler
Butler is viewed largely as a Top 10 interior prospect by NFL scouts at the combine.
He concluded his time at Tennessee as a fifth-year senior with a career season. Butler notched five sacks as an interior player with 8.5 tackles for loss on 726 defensive snaps. The Vols went 7-6 in coach Josh Heupel's first year on Rocky Top and the defense under coordinator Tim Banks far exceeded any expectations.
"It was informal both times that I've met with (the Titans)," Butler told me on Friday. "I met with them at the (East-West) Shrine Bowl. I met with them (at the combine), but it was very productive and made me feel enough that I felt like it was very much worth my time and theirs."
The Titans certainly are aware of Butler's talent, and the NFL hopeful knows all about their hugely talented defensive front with or without Landry.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
