Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Malcolm White participates in football practice at UTC on Wednesday, Apr. 6, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Late in practice Wednesday, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga running back Derrick Craine took a handoff around the left side and followed a big block by an offensive lineman for a substantial gain.
The lineman making the block?
Malcolm White.
White is the new face on the Mocs' offensive line, which returns four starters. The 6-foot-7, 292-pounder from Science Hill High School is a redshirt freshman who has been slotted to replace Synjen Herren, who started 35 games in his career but was a senior last fall.
On Wednesday, White said "it feels good" to be the new guy.
"I enjoy practice," he added. "I like running plays, so any time I'm out there and have a chance to be out there with those guys, it's special to get to play with them and be the new face with four returning starters."
Although he hasn't locked up a starting spot, he seems to be on his way - especially after plays like the one that sprung Craine.
"Malcolm has done a nice job," UTC head coach Russ Huesman said.
"He's picked things up, he's playing really well. He's always been athletic, and I'm proud of him. He's battling - he hasn't earned the starting job yet. He has guys that better be competing to get the starting job away from him, but he's been doing a good job, and we like what we see with him.
"We thing he's going to be a really good player."
New offensive line coach Adam Ross said the best thing about White is that he "wants to be great," adding that he has "lots of potential."
"He wants to learn. He asks questions," Ross said. "He and (senior offensive lineman) Corey (Levin) have done a great job communicating and being on the same page. He (Malcolm) has done a good job while he's in there. He has some technique issues to work on, but he's working on those every day.
"He's huge. You can't coach big. He has really good feet, and I've been impressed with his footwork and how he really focuses on the detail of things."
With this his first spring practicing with the Mocs, there is definitely an adjustment period. But White seems to be figuring things out, understandably helped by a redshirt season full of practices blocking the likes of All-Southern Conference defensive linemen Keionta Davis, Toyvian Brand and Josh Freeman.
"I feel like I'm getting the hang of things," White said. "It's not too much different from high school. There's a lot more footwork, (helmet) placement and all that, but going against the (starters) on defense got me better, and I think that has a lot to do with my confidence level.
"I just want to play to the best of my ability, understand the plays, and do what I need to do to help this team win."
The Mocs will hold their first spring scrimmage at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Finley Stadium.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.