Bituli's journey took him from the Congo to the Vols to the NFL's doorstep

[kamoshika]

NFL Draft hopefuls like to pitch themselves during talks with NFL representatives as players who can overcome adversity. Perhaps they endured a coaching change or overcame an injury. Tennessee Vols linebacker Daniel Bituli can tell that story, but his tale goes much deeper than that.

Born in the Congo, Bituli’s family fled his war-torn native country when he was young. They lived for several months in tents at a refugee camp in Cameroon before moving to Nashville when Bituli was about 3 years old. Bituli went on to star at Nashville Christian and at Tennessee, where he led the Vols in tackles for three straight seasons.

Next stop … the NFL? Bituli is projected to be a late-round pick in this week’s NFL Draft or an undrafted free agent. Bituli said his upbringing gives him perspective that can prove valuable to an NFL roster. “Football has its hardships, but you can’t take away what guys go through in life,” Bituli said. “Those things that we go through, that I went through, it just made me tougher as a man. It’s one thing to be out there hitting another grown man in pads, but it’s another to actually go through a life-and-death situation.
Daniel Bituli's journey took him from the Congo to the Tennessee Vols to the NFL's doorstep

 

[Defcon5]

Got to believe he will be drafted, not free agent. Kids got heart. Can only get better.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

he is supposed to appear on 104.5 the zone nashville after the current commercial break.

 

[livefaith]

Got to believe he will be drafted, not free agent. Kids got heart. Can only get better.

Heart and when he hits ya, you go dooowwwn.

 

[Grudenator]

I still don’t understand why he isn’t rated higher? He is a tackling machine.i understand that he isn’t great at coverage, but a lot of nfl linebackers aren’t great at coverage.

 

[greenbacknative]

I can;t believe we have only 1 guy drafted so far.....

 

[Grudenator]

I can;t believe we have only 1 guy drafted so far.....

I can lol. It was expected

 

[hatingbamaisawayoflife]

Juan might be a steal Daniel

 

[Tnphil]

I heard the talking heads this morning saying they thought Taylor would be the only Vol drafted...The others would be FA. I have no idea but I thought we'd have 1-2 more in the late rounds.

 

[sechamp2012]

IMO Believe Taylor will be only one drafted, Juan & Callaway are victims of a very deep WR group this year. They and Bituli will get FA among a few others DWA & Nigel & Lovingood

 

[white65]

IMO Believe Taylor will be only one drafted, Juan & Callaway are victims of a very deep WR group this year. They and Bituli will get FA among a few others DWA & Nigel & Lovingood

Jennings has to get drafted. I still can't believe his combine performance was so bad, but some team will take a chance on him.

 

[Grudenator]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Calloway is drafted before JJ. I have a feeling one of them will sneak into the 5th for some reason

 

[orangebloodgmc]

Now they are picking receivers that only run a 4.7, but they crow they can go up and contest for the ball.

 

[orangebloodgmc]

And they are picking LBs that are 5-11 and not that good in pass coverage

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

Bituli has already lived more than a lot of people in his few years. God bless America!