Adam Ross knows a couple of things about the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga left tackle position.
One, there will be a starter. Two, that starter will be a massive presence on the UTC offensive line, with a huge upside.
But with less than a week before the Mocs' season opener against Shorter University, the first-year offensive line coach doesn't know who it will be.
Redshirt freshman Malcolm White held the lead coming out of spring practice, but he has been pushed throughout preseason camp by sophomore Kennington Cadwell, who like White stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 300 pounds.
Cadwell has slightly more experience, having played in 2015 against Presbyterian, Western Carolina and Florida State.
"Malcolm is doing good," Ross said Tuesday. "Every rep he has, he's getting better. He has to keep seeing it, keep taking reps, developing and focusing on the fundamentals of what we're teaching him.
"Kennington has been a big surprise. He had a decent spring, but he's become more physical and he's really focused on getting better each practice. He's working hard, he's done well, has had a good camp and it's carried on to this week."
Both Ross and head coach Russ Huesman love the element of the two pushing each other in practice. It's created a level of competition for playing time that really started at the beginning of camp and will continue into next week, although both players will play regardless.
The Mocs have four starters returning on the offensive line, and Cadwell or White will have the luxury of playing beside two-time Southern Conference Jacobs Blocking Award winner Corey Levin on the left side. Ross said that fact is a "tremendous help" to the two left tackles.
"It's a friendly competition," he said, "and that's what you want in a room - to elevate the level of play in the room."
The biggest positive to the competition is that it has created some depth along the offensive line. Either Cadwell or White will provide a third tackle, with junior Alex Hooper being Jacob Revis's replacement at center and true freshman Brian Marshall working his way into the rotation at guard.
"The bottom line is that both guys are going to play," Huesman said. "We're kind of building depth there, but on the O-line you've got five. The next guy that's best comes in and we move around based on where he plays, is best suited to play.
"But it's been a great competition with those guys. They're both doing a good job working hard."
The Mocs will continue their preparation for Thursday's game today. They get Saturday off and return Sunday afternoon.
Mocs notes
Running back Derrick Craine was named to the College Football Performance Awards National Performer of the Year watch list this week. He already had been named a preseason All-American, a STATS Preseason Offensive Player of the Year watch list nominee and a preseason first-team All-SoCon pick.
Running back Richardre Bagley returned to the practice field Thursday after missing the past couple of weeks with an injury.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.