Interview: Tennessee 2017 DT Ben Hutch Updates Recruitment and Senior Season

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Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The state of Tennessee, as always, is turning out another great group of senior talent for college football recruiters to fight over. One of the best in state, and still undecided, is Hillsboro defensive tackle Ben Hutch.

Hutch is just one of those guys gifted with size, speed, and strength. All the physical capabilities have been mixed with the game above the shoulders and a strong work ethic producing a defensive lineman that 16 different college have attempted to woo with a scholarship offer. Some of the teams to offer includes Tennessee, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Nebraska, and Memphis. The list of double-digit offers have been narrowed down to a Final 3 of Louisville, Texas A&M, and Penn State, in no order.

All of the focused attention heated up after the Nashville area product racked up 40 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, three sacks, and a fumble recovery during his junior season. The senior season was heating up to be a great one for the 6-3, 315 pound, talent but with a team-first mentality, Hutch has sacrificed a personal stat line for wins. Even though he only played about half the season at defensive tackle, Hutch still had roughly 32 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, four sacks, five fumble recoveries, and four forced fumbles. He moved over to right tackle to fill a team need. The move worked with the Burros making the playoffs.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I caught up with Hutch to go over his senior season to date and get the latest news on his recruiting process.

Interview

Ben, the Burros are 6-4 this season, did your 35-12 win over Beech on Friday secure a spot in the playoffs?

“Yes, sir. We are a two seed right now.”

How did the Beech game go for you?

“It went well. They were a very physical team. We out played them physically that night. Their defense stopped us on our first drive, but then we got going.”

What kind of challenge does Stewarts Creek present for you in the playoffs?

“They are a 50-front. We have not seen some of their stunts yet. We are working on that this week. They are a fast team. We have to stop them for short gains on their runs.”

You’ve been playing right tackle most of the second half of the season, are you liking it?

“I don’t like offensive tackle as much as defensive tackle. Once you get the hang of it, it is easy. You can predict what the defensive tackle will do. I got the hang of it from playing defensive tackle pretty quickly. My coaches say I am doing well at it.”

Has playing tackle on offense helped you playing tackle on defense?

“I can predict if it’ll be a pass or run. You can tell if they are off-set. Linemen are pretty easy to read.”

Before you switched over to offense, how has your game improved this season?

“I feel like my run stop was good, I did better on pass rush this season. I think I had four sacks in like five games. My pass rush, speed, and my first step all got better over the last year.”

Might be more of the same, but what are some of the areas you are constantly working on to fine tune?

“My first step. I’m always working for a quicker first step. I work to get hands on the offensive tackle first before he gets his hands on me. I work on my inside hands, my moves – all the big things I work on. I watch film on defensive tackles in college and in the NFL to see how they read the offensive lineman’s first step.”

Who has been the toughest player you have gone up against over the last two seasons?

“It’d have to be Elijah Dobbins (offensive lineman). He’s committed to MTSU (Middle Tennessee State). He’s around 6-4, 280. We split a lot of reps when we played Oakland (High School) this year during the ESPN game. I am surprised more schools did not recruit him. We’ve trained together and went to camps together. It’s crazy how good he really is.”

I know it has been awhile, but do you remember any of your off-season maxes in the weight room?

“I don’t remember bench press but my squat was 525 and my deadlift was 525.”

Impressive.

“Thank you.”

I count you have 16 offers, is that correct?

“I believe so but I have cut all my offers do to a final three of Louisville, Texas A&M, and Penn State.”

Are any schools still showing interest in you that are not in your Top 3?

“Yes. Georgia Tech is still trying to get in. Memphis, Missouri, and Nebraska are still in touch with me.”

When do you take your official to Louisville?

“I’m not sure yet. The Louisville coaches have asked me to wait until basketball season. I have gone on an unofficial there.”

Which game did you visit?

“The N.C. State game.”

How did that go?

“It went well. I met Lamar Jackson (quarterback), that was cool. The defense played great as a whole in that game. I think they have two or three interceptions that game. They rushed the quarterback well. Louisville’s defensive line coach, Coach (L.D.) Scott, I like the way he coaches them. All the defensive line coaches in my final three I like.”

When did you take your official to Penn State?

“I went on Oct. 7.”

How did that go?

“It was good. I’m a country boy. I moved to the city when I was six. I’m used to being on the farm, that makes me feel like I am back in west Tennessee. I liked that. It was fall time there. It was beautiful. They got the win too.”

When are you talking your official to Texas A&M?

“I was trying to set it for the LSU game but my mom did not want to go Thanksgiving weekend. I’m trying to make it for the Ole Miss game.”

Do you plan to take your other two official visits?

“I don’t know. I might try to go to Georgia Tech… maybe. I have not talked to them since I announced my Top 3.”

When you make your final decision, what are some of the influences that will lead you to pick that school?

“Education, I want to be a sports journalism major. My mom said she will travel wherever I go, so that’s not a problem. The coaches, the whole staff has to show my mom that I have a second home. They have to show her that I am in good hands. I am the first born. She is very protective of her children.”

Are there any college games you are excited to see this weekend?

“I am always excited to see Louisville, Texas A&M, and Penn State play. I have not had a chance to look at the schedule yet to see who plays when.”

Last question, your brother (Trey Smith) is on the team and started this year. How is he coming along?

“He’s a 2018 recruit. He has not hit his growth spurt yet but he will. He’s 6-1, 260, right now. He’s going to be a monster. Louisville and Texas A&M said they were going to keep an eye on him.”

Which position does he play?

“He played guard last year but played center this year.”

Ben, thanks for your time today and good luck in the playoffs.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: 247sports.com; No. 57 Ben Hutch

Photo credit: Hutch family; Ben Hutch and mom with James Franklin at PSU

Photo credit: Hutch family; Ben Hutch and family at Texas A&M