UTC defensive lineman Keionta Davis, second from left, is rated as one of the top 15 defensive prospects for the 2017 NFL draft by CBS Sports.
Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 4/8/16. Mocs head coach Russ Huesman watches his University of Tennessee at Chattanooga team warm up during a football scrimmage at Finley Stadium on April 8, 2016. Sure, no championships are won at media days. But respect is shown.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football Mocs will find out how much respect they've earned over the previous three seasons today.
The Southern Conference media day will be at the Spartanburg (S.C.) Marriott, and UTC, which has won at least a share of the last three conference championships, will be one of the favorites. The Citadel, which shared the title with the Mocs last season and returns most of its offense, will be in the spotlight as well, as should Western Carolina and Mercer.
The Citadel's Bret Thompson will be the lone head coach making his first appearance. East Tennessee State will be in its inaugural season in its return to the SoCon, but coach Carl Torbush was in attendance a season ago.
The Mocs - who have been preseason favorites the three previous seasons - will be represented by coach Russ Huesman, offensive lineman Corey Levin and defensive lineman Keionta Davis. Levin is widely considered the best NFL prospect in the SoCon and one of the top prospects in the Football Championship Subdivision, and Davis was listed as the top FCS pass-rushing prospect after a 13.5-sack season in 2015.
Each is a preseason All-American according to numerous publications.
The media day will begin with SoCon commissioner John Iamarino addressing the group, followed by a luncheon before the media activities kickoff.
The UTC contingent is scheduled to speak at 1:45.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.