UTC 'fighting battles' for 'difference-makers'

As national signing day inches closer, the anxiety level is growing for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football staff. With just five days remaining before verbal commitments officially become part of college programs, Mocs coaches are sweating out a handful of late decisions and even some current commitments who continue to be wooed by other teams.

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"It's nerve-racking," UTC head coach Russ Huesman said. "Every time your phone rings you look to see who it is, and you don't know if it's good news or bad news -- if they're saying so-and-so is going elsewhere or is committing to you.

"Right now we've got our claws in some, but no backup plan. That's a scary feeling, I'm telling you. But we made the decision that these were the guys we're going to recruit, so we're going to go and fight for them. We could get left a little bit or it could turn out good, you never know. We've got some position needs that we have not filled yet that's going to come down to the wire."

The biggest position of need that has yet to be addressed is running back, where the Mocs hope to sign at least two but have no commitments so far. With eligibility having run out for leading rusher Keon Williams and change-of-pace back Marquis Green , as well as fullback Taharin Tyson, UTC has only two experienced runners -- Derrick Craine and Richardre Bagley -- returning.

By the end of this weekend the Mocs will have had six prospects on campus for official visits in the last week in hopes of adding to the 13 commitments they already have.

Three of UTC's commitments are defensive backs and three are offensive linemen. The Mocs also have two linebackers, two defensive linemen, a tight end, a receiver and a fullback. Tight end Steve Pickren (UAB), offensive lineman Hunter Kennedy (UAB) and receiver Drae Bowles (Tennessee) are transfers from FBS programs.

The coaching staff, which includes three who came aboard with just two weeks remaining before signing day, intends to have a signing class of at least 18 this year, on the heels of last year's class that ranked No. 1 among FCS teams.

"We feel good about meeting all our positional needs with really good players," UTC recruiting coordinator Will Healy said. "We've been fighting more battles this year because the type players we went after are kids that a lot of other programs want, too, so we'll still be fighting battles to the very end.

"We only want to take kids who will be difference-makers. That's why we're going to continue fighting for them so hard. You understand when you recruit really good players that you'll be fighting to the end, but when you win those battles on signing day it makes it sweeter."

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

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