Russ Huesman started to make the argument Sunday, while taking a break from watching film of Saturday's scrimmage, that every starting spot on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team was up for grabs.
The Mocs coach stopped himself quickly, saying "We all know who's going to be playing quarterback."
B.J. Coleman may have the quarterback job locked up, and a few other Mocs such as left tackle Chris Harr and cornerback Buster Skrine may not be feeling any heat from second-stringers either, but after 10 workouts this spring a lot of starting positions are still in play.
"I think at most every spot, there's some competition at it," Huesman said.
After reviewing Saturday's scrimmage, UTC's coaches will meet today to discuss the depth chart. The three areas that appear to have the most competition for the top spots are running back, wide receiver and the defensive line.
* Running back: This position is perhaps the most muddled because of the uncertainty surrounding Bryan Fitzgerald, who will have surgery on Friday to remove three screws from his left foot. J.J. Jackson, Chris Awuah and Erroll Wynn have all worked with the first unit this spring, with Jackson getting the most carries of the three.
Jackson and Awuah are running with the first-string, while Wynn is splitting time with the first and second units. Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said Jackson has earned the most reps in part because he's been able to remain healthy, unlike Awuah and Wynn who have had minor injuries.
"J.J.'s been the guy that's been there the whole time and kept digging away and digging away," Satterfield said. "We were kind of disappointing in him the first scrimmage and then he answered all of our questions (Sunday) as far as we needed him to run more physical and he did; we needed him to pass (protect) more physical and he did; we needed him to take care of the ball and he did."
* Wide receiver: With returning starter Chris Pitchford out this spring following shoulder surgery, that has created opportunities for other wideouts to shine with the first unit. Marlon Anthony and Joel Bradford, along with tight end Garrett Hughes, have been Coleman's favorite targets so far, with Chris Marshall, Sloan Allison and Brian Sutherland getting plenty of chances, as well.
Other than Anthony and Bradford, Satterfield said, "all the rest of them you can put them in a bag, shake 'em up and whoever lines up, that's who we'll go with. They haven't really done anything to separate themselves or hurt themselves."
* Defensive line: Three guys are competing for the two starting spots at both defensive end and defensive tackle. Josh Williams, Jaron Norfleet and Chris Donald are battling for the end positions and Nick Craig, Nick Davison and La'Nard Carr are in the mix at tackle.
Donald, the Tennessee transfer, will remain at end through the end of the spring. He and Norfleet have been splitting time on the left side, while Williams has maintained the spot on the right that he took after two games last season.
Huesman said he's been impressed by the play of Craig, Carr and Davison, the UAB transfer.
"They all bring something to the table, which you need," he said.
The Mocs will practice today and Wednesday, followed by next Monday and Wednesday leading up to the April 10 spring game.