Football Mocs begin preseason practice this afternoon

FIVE QUESTIONS

1. What is the status at quarterback?There was very little separation among the three quarterbacks — junior Nick Tiano and sophomores Cole Copeland and Chris James — after the spring, to the point where Arth noted recently, “I don’t know who the guy is going to be.” Ideally, Copeland could have become the odd man out, which would have given him an opportunity to take the redshirt expected for him to get last season. And now his season-long suspension makes it a two-player race between James and Tiano. Both have strong arms and good mobility and will be able to push the ball downfield, if given time.2. What about the offensive line?The unit took some positive strides late last season and then looked better in the spring with a year of experience. And the coaches feel good about the pieces they have, including Malcolm White, the team’s most experienced offensive player and the only returning Moc to have started every game the past two seasons. Harrison Moon, a local transfer from Mississippi State, looked solid at center during the spring. Redshirt freshman McClendon Curtis will compete for time. Two transfers and two incoming freshmen should make the unit better, and of the 15 offensive linemen on the roster, all but one — senior walk-on Luke Schultheiss — will be back in 2019.3. Can the team thrive with limited running back depth?The losses of would-be redshirt freshman Chris Broadwater and incoming freshman Josiah Futral hurt, as they leave the team with only three scholarship running backs. There’s talent, with junior college transfer Tyrell Price earning preseason All-Southern Conference honors before ever playing. He’ll have to live up to those expectations. Senior Alex Trotter has dealt with injuries every season of his career, but when healthy he has been good and was really good (14 carries, 58 yards) in the Mocs’ 23-21 upset of Samford last season. Isaiah Cobb, who won three state championships at Maryville, could be asked to contribute right away, especially if something happens to either Price or Trotter.4. What about the defense?New defensive coordinator Matthew Feeney’s first group has a lot back from a unit that ranked 25th in the country in yards allowed per game. The inside linebacker position was hit pretty hard by graduation, with both Tae Davis and Dale Warren moving on. The rest of the defense is primarily intact, as all other positions feature guys who played a lot. Tavon Lawson will move into one of the vacant inside linebacker positions. With Derek Mahaffey’s move to defensive end, Telvin Jones will have first crack at completing the defensive front between Mahaffey and preseason first-team All-SoCon pick Isaiah Mack. The secondary lost four-time first-team All-SoCon selection Lucas Webb and Trevor Wright but returns everybody else.5. What about those inside ‘backers, though?New inside linebackers coach Oscar Rodriguez proudly boasted that he “felt good” about the guys he had at his position, although it’s as young of a unit as there is on the team. Lawson likely will be a slam dunk at one of the two spots. Having shuffled between defensive back and linebacker since arriving at UTC, he made the full-time transition to the position in 2017 and was leading the team in tackles before an injury midway through the season. Marshall Cooper played a lot last season but made his biggest impact on special teams, blocking a punt that led to the winning touchdown against East Tennessee State in the season finale. If there’s a spot for a freshman to play — either redshirt freshman C.J. Winston or incoming Kohl Henke, Simon Miskelley or Nyvin Nelson — this likely is the best one.