signing day helmet
UTC Mocs logoLOOKING BACK — LOCAL FOOTBALL RECRUITS FROM 2011
The Class of 2011 from Chattanooga produced some studs and some duds. Here’s a look at 10 of the more successful football players from the Chattanooga area that spring.
Devin Bowman, Ridgeland, Georgia
The defensive back earned athletics director honor roll distinction during his first year on campus. He earned the Irvin M. Wofford football scholarship. In his first two seasons on the field the played in 13 games. This past season, he had one interception and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown against Vanderbilt. He played in 12 games, recorded 19 total tackles and three pass break-ups.
Kelvin Clay, Red Bank, Samford
Clay earned a spot on the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team after making 17 catches for 171 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games after leaving the Lions’ Den. During his senior season, Clay caught nine passes for 126 yard and made five tackles on special teams. In Finley Stadium last fall, against his hometown team, Clay caught three passes for 42 yards including a 25-yarder in the second quarter.
Watts Dantzler, Dalton, Georgia
The 6-foot-7 offensive lineman has been stellar in the classroom and suffered a myriad of injuries which cost his playing time during his career. He earned the Bill and Margaret Young football scholarship in 2012 and ’13. On the field, Dantzler played in every game this past season. He did not start any game.
Keenan Hale, McCallie, Syracuse
Hale’s career has been crippled by various injuries which have kept him from participating in games. The 6-foot-2 receiver did not play as a freshman or sophomore, and missed his junior season due to injury as well. His academic accolades include being a member of the 2012 Fall and 2013 Spring Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and 2012 Big East All-Academic Team selection. This past season, he did not play for Syracuse which finished the season with a 3-9 record.
Mason Harris, Ridgeland, South Carolina
Harris earned the “Everyday Effort” awarded for defense last spring. He has played defensive end and linebacker during his career. This past season he started once, played in 10 games, and recorded two tackles for loss forced a fumble against South Alabama. The 6-foot-3 defensive end finished the season with 21 total tackles.
David Helton, Baylor, Duke
His classroom accolades top his on-field contributions, which weren’t too shabby either. Helton earned the William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the academic Heisman, which is presented annually to the nation’s top combination of student, football player and community servant. Helton was proclaimed the 25th recipient of the award in December and earned a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship. He also led the ACC in tackles last with with 134 stops, five for loss and 1 1/2 sacks.
Synjen Herren, Northwest Whitfield, UTC
His career started with starting. Herren started all 22 games at left guard in his first two season with the Mocs. This past season began with him being a preseason First-Team All-SoCon selection. But the preseason ended with Herren on the sideline after tearing knee ligaments while playing in the final scrimmage of the preseason. So he took a medical redshirt season and should be ready for fall — maybe even spring — camp.
Jacob Huesman, Baylor, UTC
Huesman still has another year to play for his father, Russ, the head coach. The younger Huesman guided the Mocs to a SoCon championship and the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. He earned the Tennessee Sportswriters Association Player of the Year for the entire state across all levels of college football. Huesman was in competition until the end for the Payton Award, — the Heisman Trophy of the FCS. Huesman threw for 2,731 yards and 23 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,009 yards and 14 touchdowns.
John Mackey, Baylor, Furman
Mackey helped the Paladins reach the playoffs in 2013 by starting every game of the season. The defensive tackle made 58 tackles, four for loss, and forced a fumble as a sophomore. Mackey continued his trend of starting every game last season and finished the year with 44 tackles, seven for loss, and four sacks.
Luke Woodason, Northwest Whitfield, Tennessee Tech
Injuries have hampered Woodason’s career in Cookeville. The defensive back played in nine games a a freshman, but had to redshirt in 2012. He played in five games his 2013. Then suffered another injury last spring which cost him the entire 2014 season.