It won't be a full experience, but today Synjen Herren will take the next step in getting back on the football field.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga offensive lineman, who tore ligaments during the last scrimmage of the 2014 preseason, will return to the field when the Mocs start spring practice at 3:45 this afternoon at Scrappy Moore Field.
The 6-foot-4, 313-pounder won't participate in any contact drills, but he will have opportunities for some individual work as he prepares to be back to full strength by the summer. He's been doing some running and agility work as a part of his rehabilitation.
"I still won't be full-go, but I'll be able to do more than I have been," Herren said Thursday.
UTC coach Russ Huesman applauded Herren, who watched as the Mocs went 10-4, advancing to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs before falling 35-32 to New Hampshire.
"I thought Synjen handled it as good as you can," Huesman said. "One thing about Synjen, it was his fourth year last year, and he was expected to be a leader and continued to do it after the injury. He went on every trip and was a major part of everything on the field as far as being there for the team and players.
"He remained extremely involved."
Herren, who was preseason All-Southern Conference last season, admitted last season wasn't easy for him but said he was glad for the way "everybody stepped up." His return gives the offensive line five experienced players, including Corey Levin, who was named the Jacobs Blocking Award winner as the SoCon's best offensive lineman.
"I'm glad I get to be a part of it this year. I'm very excited," Herren said. "Don't get me wrong: We lost some key guys, but we've got some guys that can step up and fill spots.
"We've got experience on the line, and now I'm being thrown back in the mix. It'll be a good opportunity; we just have to see what happens."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.
FIVE STORYLINES TO WATCH
1. Creating depth on the lines: Davis Tull and Derrick Lott are the big-name losses on the defensive line from last season, but Zach Rayl and Danny Ring also are gone and they had their big moments as well. In his first season as a full-time starter, Keionta Davis played well opposite Tull, and he will have to continue that production this season. Toyvian Brand, who redshirted last season, has started 23 UTC games at defensive tackle and defensive end, while Vantrell McMillan and DJ Prather will be in the mix as well. Offensively, the staff feels good about five or six guys who have played on the line -- which should be helped by the return of 2014 preseason all-conference selection Synjen Herren from injury-- but a big part of this spring practice will be determining who fills in in case of injuries.
2. Bowles adds to loaded receiving corps: Drae Bowles, a four-star wide receiver out of high school who spent the past two seasons at Tennessee, transferred to UTC in January. The 6-foot, 207-pounder will be in the mix to be an explosive playmaker on the perimeter immediately, and he'll compete with returners Xavier Borishade, Alphonso Stewart, Richardre Bagley and C.J. Board -- who the staff said has the chance to be as good "as anybody in the league" -- as well as James Stovall, Bingo Morton and Will Young. Of those last three, only Navy transfer Stovall played last year. Bagley and Bowles also could be featured returning kicks and punts.
3. Good chances for newcomers: In addition to Bowles, UAB transfer Steve Pickren could have a chance to make a big impact as a Moc if he can fend off Troy Dye, Bailey Lenoir and Malcolm Colvin in replacing All-America tight end Faysal Shafaat. At cornerback, C.J. Fritz will have the opportunity to rejoin what is a young but experienced defensive backfield. A torn ACL sidelined him last season, but in preseason camps he was making moves to be in the rotation.
4. Backup QB still a competition: Coach Russ Huesman said Thursday that the competition between Alejandro Bennifield and Tyler Roberson for the backup quarterback spot will be just that entering today's practice. Both players are skilled, so the final decision will be between the better passer (Bennifield) and the better runner (Roberson).
5. Somebody has to punt: Nick Pollard has graduated with his rugby-style kicks and 41.7-yard punting average. There will be another competition heading into spring practice, but there is only one current kicker on the roster, and that's place-kicker Henrique Ribeiro. Finding a player to take over that role will become an important part of spring practice.