Chattanooga Mocs pick up two more football commitments

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UTC football commitmentsKennington Cadwell (Columbia, Ga.) 6-6, 280 OLC.J. Fritz (McCallie) 5-11, 170 DBTavon Lawson (Munford, Ala.) 6-1, 190, SBailey Lenoir (East Hamilton) 6-4, 245 TEIsaiah Mack (Northwest Whitfield) 6-2, 260 DLMontrell Pardue (Clarksville Northeast) 6-0, 185 LB/SBranden Parker (Miller Grove, Ga.) 6-3, 250 OLCam Walker (McCallie) 6-4, 245 TE-OLTim Whatley (Columbus Carver) 6-0, 210 LB

The biggest recruiting weekend this winter for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's football program has paid immediate dividends. On the heels of getting one offensive line commitment Saturday evening the Mocs picked up two more commitments Sunday afternoon - a gigantic lineman and a dynamic safety.

Kennington Cadwell, a 6-foot-6, 280-pound right tackle, and long considered a UTC lean, pulled the trigger and committed before returning home to Columbia, Ga. Also, safety Tavon Lawson (6-1, 190), of Talladega (Ala.) Munford High verbally committed. Those two join Saturday's commitment by offensive lineman Branden Parker, giving the Mocs three commitments from their 11 official visitors.

"They're getting a really good player who has a tremendous upside and potential," Columbia coach David Edwards said of Cadwell, a two-year starter. "He has a drive to succeed and against a really tough schedule, he was dominant at times this year for us."

The newest commitments give the Mocs a total of nine so far and according to all three of this weekend's commitments, several more of this weekend's visitors are expected to commit.

"What stood out to me was just how crazy we all seemed to bond," said Cadwell, who chose the Mocs over 16 other offers. "All the players got along so well, and we felt like we were already teammates.

"For me, I already liked UTC before I came for my visit and once I got here I made up my mind because of how comfortable I was with the coaches and other players. I feel like I can shine at Chattanooga. Plus they have a really good sports medicine program so its a school and program that has everything I was looking for."

Lawson, who has a 3.9 grade-point average and plans to major in engineering, was one of the most sought-after prospects on the Mocs' visit list, with either offers or heavy interest from both Air Force and Navy as well as Memphis, Minnesota, Middle Tennessee State, Appalachian State, Jacksonville State, Georgia Southern, Western Kentucky, Murray State and Campbell University.

"Really what made the difference for me was when Coach [Russ] Huesman made an in-home visit," said Lawson, who helped his high school team reach the Class 4A semifinals. "For him to take time out of his schedule to come to my house and talk with me and my family told me a lot about him. So once I got to Chattanooga and saw everything the school and program has to offer, and just how all the coaches, other players and people around the school are such good people, I decided it was time to commit."

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.

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