UTC defensive lineman Chris Mayes performs drills during football practice at Scrappy Moore Field.Chris Mayes stands out when he gets in position on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive line.
As Mocs quarterback B.J. Coleman said when the big tackle transferred to UTC from Navy, "We don't have anybody that looks like him."
Listed at 6-foot-3, 295 pounds, Mayes appears bigger than that. He moves well for his size, though not all the time, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller said.
"At Navy he was in front of the center [at noseguard], and he doesn't even move his feet yet," Fuller said. "He's taking on blocks with just his arm strength right now. And if you're a defensive lineman, this is the defense you want to be in. We're telling you to get up the football field and go make plays. He's licking his chops out there."
Whether Mayes will be "out there" on the field when the Mocs open their season on Sept. 3 at Nebraska remains to be seen. Mayes and UTC are waiting to hear from the NCAA regarding his academic eligibility.
Mayes got limited action as a true freshman at Navy last season, so the worst-case scenario is that he's forced to redshirt this fall and will still have three years of eligibility remaining.
While Mayes waits on the NCAA, the former Class 6A Lineman of the Year finalist at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro is settling in at UTC.
"I'm just getting as much of the system in as possible and really getting to know my teammates and my coaching staff," he said. "Everyone here has made me feel so welcome and so comfortable. I already feel myself bonding with the rest of the team."
Head coach Russ Huesman said he's liked what he's seen from Mayes and the other defensive tackles. UTC was very thin at the position for most of last season -- two scholarship players were available at one point -- but not anymore.
"We've got five there for a long time, and you need five," Huesman said. "You need that many, and five may not even be enough because that's a position that just gets banged and banged and banged."
Huesman said he wants to play four defensive tackles each game "and keep them fresh, let them run." It's out of his hands at this point if Mayes will be one of them.
Moore may miss game
Cornerback Chaz Moore is out for at least three weeks with a shoulder injury and could miss the Nebraska game. The sophomore, who started two games last season and is replacing Buster Skrine, tore some ligaments when he fell on Thursday, the first day of practice.
"Right now it's looking like it's on me," he said of being available for the opener. "If I can get better I'm going to let Coach know and we'll take it from there."
Moore said he was frustrated by the injury because he worked so hard this summer to be ready, but "I'd rather get hurt now than in the season."
Crane goes home
Freshman wide receiver Marlandas Crane has left the team and won't be returning, Huesman said. Crane, from Carrollton, Ga., packed his bags and went home after Friday's practice, which he sat out with a groin injury.
"He left. Other than that I don't know," Huesman said. "But I can tell you this: He left and he isn't coming back. I don't care if they beg me, he's not coming back."
Crane was one of three wideouts UTC signed, along with Ron Moore and Tommy Hudson. At least one is expected to play this season.
Extra points
Following Saturday morning's practice at Scrappy Moore Field, Huesman praised the defense for its performance. The offense, he said, was "sloppy as all get-out today." ... The Mocs practiced in shells (helmets and shoulder pads) for the first time. There was some hitting, but no tackling. ... They will be in shells again today when they take the field at 7:45 a.m.