Shelton Felton didn't mince words when talking about the potential of University of Tennessee at Chattanooga sophomore linebacker Khayyan Edwards.
"He's just scratched the surface," the outside linebackers coach said before Tuesday's practice. "It's new for him. He went from his whole high school career and early time here with his hand down, and now he's standing up.
"He's getting used to it. He's getting better, more fluid, and I think he has the chance to be one of the best players to come here when it's said and done."
The UTC coaching staff has been pleased with the improvement of not just the 6-foot-3, 240-pounder, but the outside linebackers as a group. They started the season with the least experience of any position group - not solely because it was a new position to the team but also because most of the players competing for time hadn't been on the field in their time with the Mocs.
UTC football defensive coordinator Tom Kaufman instructs during a drill.And most are new to the position, like Edwards. Hawk Schrider played inside linebacker at Richmond before transferring to UTC and practicing as a defensive end last year while sitting out. Senior Joshua Phillips and Edwards also were defensive ends in the former staff's system, while Michael Bean was a weakside linebacker.
Bean had a career-high six tackles against UT-Martin last week, while Schrider has 10 tackles for the season, two behind Bean for the team lead.
"That group's been great. They've been outstanding," UTC defensive coordinator Tom Kaufman said. "Moving Bean there was a great move; he's really taken to it and he's really sharp and has helped push those guys. Hawk and Khayyan had already been playing the position all spring, and they're physical, balanced and they've been a huge part of why we've been able to stop the run."
The three strong opponents have averaged 4 yards per carry against the Mocs, with fifth-ranked Jacksonville State and the 23rd-ranked Skyhawks combining for 294 yards on 84 carries - a 3.5-yard average.
Felton said that because of the inexperience of the group, there was some "nervousness" on their part, but he's seen enough to know they're on the right track.
"It's one thing to be in practice, but it's another thing to play under the lights," Felton said. "These guys are playing above their heads.
"Usually young kids hit that brick wall, and as a coach you're scared of them running into that brick wall, so right now my fingers are crossed because they're playing good ball right now."
Tight ends involved
Prior to the season, UTC coaches said tight ends were going to be a big part of the passing game.
They didn't lie.
Through three games, Bailey Lenoir and Malcolm Colvin have combined for six catches for 53 yards, impressive stats considering they had totaled nine catches for 67 yards the past two seasons with both available.
Colvin said Tuesday it's been encouraging that they've been able to help with production, but entering Saturday's game at Virginia Military Institute he wants to "do more" if possible.
The Mocs' offense is averaging 228.7 yards per game, ranking next to last in the Southern Conference, ahead of only VMI.
"For the most part, I just have to do my part to the best of my ability in the offense - that's all I can do," Colvin said. "Whatever they need me to do - run a route, run off a safety, block a defensive end - I'm willing to do whatever it is in that point in time."
Running backs update
The Mocs' top two running backs, seniors Richardre Bagley and Darrell Bridges, both practiced Tuesday while dealing with lingering injuries, although head coach Tom Arth noted that Bridges probably would be limited. Bagley went out during the second quarter of the UT-Martin game but returned in the second half, while Bridges did not return to the field after a second-half hit and eventually was escorted to the locker room, although he was back on the sideline before the end of the game.
Arth said Tuesday that the two will be evaluated further before decisions on their status are made. If one or both can't go against the Keydets, junior Alex Trotter, true freshman Chris Broadwater and sophomore walk-on Chris Miller are the options.
"Those guys get a number of reps as it is through practice," Arth said. "We try to keep everyone fresh, so that'll probably increase a little bit."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.