The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team begins practice today at 3 p.m. at Scrappy Moore Field, with three consecutive Southern Conference championships in the rearview mirror and another one in sight.
The Mocs went 9-4 last season and at one point were ranked No. 3 in the country. Mercer coach Bobby Lamb said recently that he thought UTC was "the third-best (FCS) team in the country at the end of the year."
With only a minimum number of graduated personnel, coach Russ Huesman and his assistants are excited about the talent, depth and potential on the roster this season. Here are five questions surrounding the program as the Mocs start preparation for their Sept. 1 season opener against Shorter:
1. Is Alejandro Bennifield ready to take over?
The Mocs coaching staff feels confident enough about four-year quarterback starter Jacob Huesman's replacement that they had no problem telling a number of high-profile transfers no. His fellow players believe in the transformation he's gone through, both physically and mentally. Bennifield has become more of a leader, and with an offense tailored to his strengths, there's no reason to believe he won't be able to step right into the massive shoes left by Huesman and be equally as effective in his first season as the starter.
2. Who steps in at cornerback?
The dismissal of two-time All-Southern Conference performer Dee Virgin in May left a massive void in the secondary, mainly due to his experience. What's left are a number of sophomores and redshirt and true freshmen left to battle for spots. Sophomore C.J. Fritz has nailed down one cornerback spot, but it's unknown who will be opposite him. The coaches would like to move junior Trevor Wright - who has two seasons of starting experience at cornerback - to the dime (sixth defensive back) position. For that to happen, somebody will have to step up. Maybe it will be redshirt freshman D.J. Williams. If not him, one of the true freshmen - Cortez Davis or Rashun Freeman - will be there. Then there's junior college transfer Dy'Kari Hickey, who just joined the program Tuesday. This battle could take a while.
3. Who steps up at tight end?
A year after having a dynamic talent at the position in All-American Faysal Shafaat, the Mocs combined for one reception from tight ends in 2015 - a 5-yard catch by Malcolm Colvin at Mercer. Colvin has some pass-catching ability but is more comfortable on the line blocking. Sophomore Bailey Lenoir, redshirt freshman Bryce Miller or incoming freshman Jack Keebler could be the answer but will have to prove that over the next few weeks to earn that spot on Sept. 1.
4. Will depth emerge on the defensive line?
The Mocs have as prolific a defensive end starting duo as there is in the country in preseason All-American Keionta Davis and fellow preseason All-SoCon Vantrel McMillan. Behind those two are some questions. Senior D.J. Prather and junior Trevor Jachimowicz are the most experienced candidates at that position, but they haven't played a lot. The same questions surround the tackle position, as Justin King, Isaiah Mack and Taylor Reynolds have experience, but there's not much else. Junior college transfer Derek Mahaffey could play his way into a role there, as could redshirt freshman Telvin Mack.
5. How different will the running game look?
Well, it will be different, but there's no reason to think it won't be as effective in 2016. UTC has had the threat of quarterback Huesman in the zone read, and his ability to fake the handoff and tuck and run himself aided in the productive seasons that Keon Williams and Derrick Craine have had the past two years. While Bennifield is not the power running threat that Huesman was, the lefty quarterback's ability to throw the ball will gives defenses a different reason to be honest. Plus with four starters returning on the offensive line, there will be holes to run through.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.