It was a huge recruiting day for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football program Thursday. Literally. The Mocs got verbal commitments from a pair of big bodies who could be immediate factors, beginning with Alabama-Birmingham transfer Steve Pickren, a 6-foot-5, 255-pound tight end and followed later in the day by Science Hill’s Malcolm White, a 6-6, 280-pound offensive tackle.
Those commitments give the Mocs four with more expected before the holidays.
“I like winning, and they win a lot here,” said Pickren, who called off a visit to Jacksonville State he had planned later this week. “We finished 6-6 this year, didn’t have a winning season last year and I never had a winning season in high school, so I’m hungry to help win a lot of games.”
Pickren was recruited to play tight end at UAB but moved to the defensive line before his sophomore season before again being moved to offensive tackle because of a lack of depth at that position He saw action at both tackle positions last season before UAB disbanded its football program earlier this month. Pickren is expected to compete right away for the starting tight end job for the Mocs after the graduation of All America tight end Faysal Shafaat.
“It sounds fun to have the chance to get the ball thrown my way a few times,” said Pickren, who played at Pell City (Ala.) High School. “I met Jacob Huesman, and he seems like a real good guy and I like the other players and coaches. It’s just a real good fit for me. It’s been a tough year, and I’m excited to get the chance to start over with a program that’s on the way up.”