Shy Tuttle Sets Decision Date: Which Program Is Best Fit for 4-Star DT?

One lucky team will land a potential difference-maker to its 2015 recruiting class on Friday afternoon when 4-star defensive tackle Shy Tuttle will announce his commitment, according to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports.

Earlier in the summer, the Lexington, North Carolina, product tweeted out a top five of Clemson, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State and Tennessee.

However, this battle appears as if it will come down to the two home-state schools and neighboring Tennessee.

All three schools have made waves in their attempts to woo Tuttle—such as UNC head coach Larry Fedora and N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren taking helicopters to visit him during a game earlier this month and Tennessee sending him mail with his picture photoshopped next to Beyonce.

But which school provides the best opportunity for the 6’3”, 315-pounder to succeed? Let’s break down his top three choices and their pitches in hopes of landing Tuttle.

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North Carolina

Larry Fedora and the North Carolina Tar Heels were the early favorites to land Tuttle, who lives less than 80 miles away from Chapel Hill. 

To say that the Tar Heels defense could use a run-stuffing defensive tackle would be an understatement. Through three games, UNC has allowed 668 yards rushing and ranks 111th nationally in rush defense, according to cfbstats. 

Additionally, per Ourlads, three of their top four interior defensive linemen are upperclassmen—which presents Tuttle with a great opportunity to come in and play right off the bat.

Considering the proximity to home and the chance at early playing time, North Carolina presents Tuttle with a strong case as to why he should migrate east to Chapel Hill for the next four seasons.

N.C. State

After going 3-9 in his first season as N.C. State’s head coach, Dave Doeren quietly has the Wolfpack sitting at 4-0 heading into this weekend’s matchup against top-ranked Florida State. 

On the recruiting trail, N.C. State’s 2015 class—which is currently rated the worst in the ACC—could use the jolt of adding the state’s top-ranked player.

One of the Wolfpack’s two interior spots on the defensive line has a pair of seniors in the two-deep, according to Ourlads.

The chance to be a signature defensive recruit for a team on the rise has to be appealing for Tuttle.

Tennessee

Another one of Tuttle’s suitors with a second-year head coach who is building some positive momentum is Butch Jones at Tennessee.

Unlike the Wolfpack, whose class currently sits at No. 72 nationally, the Volunteers have assembled a Top-10 class in the 2015 cycle.

A particularly appealing opportunity for Tuttle would be the chance to line up alongside 5-star Vols commit Kahlil McKenzie, which would form one of the most formidable defensive line tandems in the country. 

Additionally, the Vols have one senior, one junior and a third-year sophomore filling out three of the top four spots in their two-deep, per Ourlads. Another thing helping Tennessee is Tuttle’s bond with Vols defensive line coach Steve Stripling.

“He told me I’d be playing tackle, but I’d learn all the positions,” Tuttle told Ryan Callahan of GoVols247 (subscription required) earlier this spring. “And he showed me how they do things. (Stripling and I) talk pretty often. He’s put a lot of people in the NFL. He’s their coach, but then he’s going to look after you.”

While staying in-state has its perks, the Vols can counter with the allure of playing in the SEC.

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The Pick 

The main selling point for the Tar Heels is their inviting depth chart, while N.C. State and Tennessee are still building on the excitement of new coaching staffs who appear to have their programs headed in the right direction.

When considering factors such as playing time, a chance to win and the best overall fit for Tuttle, the Vols seem to have the best combination for him to find success in the short- and long-term.

Regardless of which school he chooses, Tuttle is a candidate to make an immediate impact as soon as he steps foot on campus next season.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.