This could be the year of the little, speedy wide receiver for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
So far this preseason, quarterback B.J. Coleman's top targets have been flanker Joel Bradford and slot receiver Brian Sutherland. They're a pair of sub-6-footers that have consistently gotten open and made catches, both down field and in traffic.
Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said Bradford and Sutherland "have kind of separated themselves as playmakers and guys that you can trust."
Bradford, Coleman's No. 1 receiver at McCallie, is listed at 6-foot, 165 pounds, but is about an inch shorter. Sutherland is listed at 5-10, 175, which might be adding an inch or so.
"Those guys have speed, great route running, they've got great hands," Satterfield said. "The thing is, they make plays, and whoever is making plays, you're going to try to get them the ball and get them on the field."
The Mocs' leading receiver last season was 6-foot-4 Blue Cooper, who caught 84 passes. The 6-foot Chris Pitchford was second on the team with 44, and the senior is the only returning wideout with more than three career receptions.
Bradford, a junior, didn't have any receptions as a freshman and played defensive back last season. Sutherland, who transfered to UTC after redshirting at Miami (Ohio), has no receptions either after leaving the team for personal reasons two games into last season.
"Me and Joel, we talk a lot ... we're in the offensive meeting room talking about how to make plays and how to be where we need to be for B.J," Sutherland said. "We plan to make a big impact this season and catch a lot of balls."
Bradford's biggest impact play this preseason has been the deep ball, which has worked over and over again, just like it did at McCallie when Coleman would routinely hit him in stride.
"I think that just goes back to I don't know how many years we've been together," Bradford said. "He just knows my stride and I know usually where he's going to place the ball."
Satterfield said Pitchford and 6-5 freshman Marlon Anthony, as well as the other tall wideouts, will get their share of opportunities this season. For now, though, it's the little guys making the plays.
Extra points
Instead of doing meetings and a walk-through Saturday night, Mocs coach Russ Huesman took his team to Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park. "It was about the middle of camp and you just want to break the monotony up," Huesman said. "I think they had a great time." ... Defensive tackles Nick Craig (foot) and La'Nard Carr (foot/ankle) remain sidelined, while defensive end Jaron Norfleet returned to practice Sunday.