One of biggest problems facing University of Tennessee at Chattanooga quarterback Jacob Huesman going into the 2015 season will be distributing the ball between no less than nine quality receivers.
UTC head coach Russ Huesman, offensive coordinator Jeff Durden and receivers coach Will Healy have the bigger issue: determining how to distribute playing time between those receivers.
The group has displayed a solid mix of speed, size and talent has been on display in the first week of the Mocs' spring practice. The team wrapped up its fourth session Wednesday afternoon, and have one more practice on Friday before their first scrimmage on Saturday at Scrappy Moore Field.
UTC wide receiver Xavier Borishade catches a pass during the Mocs' football practice on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at Scrappy Moore Field in Chattanooga.The time for that scrimmage has not yet been determined.
C.J. Board and Xavier Borishade are the leading returning pass catchers, with each having made over 30 catches last season. Alphonso Stewart is the only other returning receiver with multiple catches, as he had 20.
They are earning the first-team reps in drills, but right behind them are a trio of redshirt freshmen in Bingo Morton, Will Young and Dejuan McQuarters. James Stovall and Riley Davis played sparingly, but have had their moments in the spring.
In addition, the group picked up a big addition in Tennessee transfer Drae Bowles, who was a four-star prospect coming out of high school.
So while the position is crowded, it's a good problem to have.
"Spring ball is big, especially for the young guys," Healy said recently. "Our depth may change what we are offensively. It may make us more versatile and help us add to what we already have in terms of sets."
Quarterback Huesman said recently that he's been working some with the receivers for the last several weeks, running routes and starting the process of developing some chemistry with the core. A couple of the guys he's already worked with -- Board and Borishade -- have embraced the competition between the group.
UTC quarterback Jacob Huesman warms up during the Mocs' football practice Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at Scrappy Moore Field in Chattanooga."We're 100 percent better," Borishade said of the receivers. "We lost Tommy Hudson, and he knew so much about the game and helped both me and C.J., but we've been able to add on five athletic, good receivers. Last year, we didn't have a lot of depth, but this year, we have 100 percent more depth and are going to be able to do a lot of packages."
The position group is so stacked that a bad play, a missed assignment, any sort of negative play could drop a player in the battle for playing time. Of course, a player could lose a little playing time and it not have anything to do with their play on the field, but the coaching staff's desire to bring in another player equally capable and deserving of an opportunity to make a play in the passing game.
"There's a little bit of swagger. This is a really good offensive group," Healy said. "Going into the spring and summer, it's going to be a lot of fun. We're not handcuffed anymore; if a guy isn't cutting it, we can put another one in that can help win games. It makes all the guys in my meeting room have a sense of urgency, because they realize if they don't perform, they won't play. They could not play as much not because they're not a good player, but because there are other good players around them."
King transfer official
UTC made the transfer of former Tennessee athlete Justin King official Wednesday morning in a release.
The 6-foot-2, 260-pounder played wildcat quarterback, fullback and most recently, linebacker during his time with the Vols. He projects to play defensive end for the Mocs and will have two seasons remaining after graduating from Tennessee.
"We are excited to add Justin King to this class," coach Russ Huesman said. "He is excited to join the program and we expect him to fit a need for us on defense."
King's transfer give UTC three former Vols on the roster, including fellow juniors Nikolay Timoshchuk and Bowles.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.