His time will come, just like so many younger players for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team.
But Tae Davis keeps working. And getting better.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound junior safety for the Mocs has been making plays all over the field in practice. His time to play a lot will come, most likely next season as he continues to learn and train behind 2015 first-team all-conference selection Cedric Nettles.
Davis and fellow safety Montrell Pardue have received a lion's share of the repetitions this spring, as Nettles and All-America safety Lucas Webb have been used sparingly. It's just given the backups more time to show just how capable they are when needed.
"Tae is a hard worker," UTC coach Russ Huesman said. "He's committed to the program; he loves this place. He's got ability, and we've got to find ways to get him on the field.
"He's playing behind a pretty good one, but we have to find ways to get him on the field. I don't know what that will be now, but we'll have discussions about that."
Already a solid physical specimen in the defensive backfield, Davis chose to put on a little more weight to become an even fiercer hitter. He played as a true freshman and as a sophomore, having logged 14 tackles in his two seasons while playing primarily special teams, but spent the offseason working on making tackles in open space.
"I've spent the spring focusing on being able to move with (the extra weight)," Davis said. "I want to be more of a technician - to not have as many mental errors as before. I want to be better able to move with a base, to be able to move in space."
Davis's time could come soon, but in the meantime he's learning, getting better, perfecting his craft. Huesman said this week that Davis was in competition with Nettles for playing time.
"I'll do anything to help the team out, whether it's playing special teams or going in for a play or two," Davis said. "I'm just a team guy, but to hear that excites me. It lets me know I'm doing pretty good."
The Mocs' spring game starts at 2 p.m. Saturday at Finley Stadium. The day begins with the kids' clinic and will be followed by the first-ever wings-cooking contest. Twenty teams already have entered, and the winner will be announced at halftime of the game.
Also at halftime, the Mocs will receive their conference championship rings.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.