Skip to main content
Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

UTC’s Huesman loves Stovall’s toughness, improvement

UTC wide receiver James Stovall (85) steps into the end zone as he catches a pass against Fordham defensive back Caleb Ham in the first half of the Mocs' FCS playoff football game against Fordham at Finley Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
UTC wide receiver James Stovall (85) steps into the end zone as he catches a pass against Fordham defensive back Caleb Ham in the first half of the Mocs' FCS playoff football game against Fordham at Finley Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC wide receiver James Stovall (85) steps into the end zone as he catches a pass against Fordham defensive back Caleb Ham in the first half of the Mocs' FCS playoff football game against Fordham at Finley Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
photo Blue team wide receiver James Stovall runs ahead of white team linebacker T.J. Jenkins during the UTC spring football game at Finley Stadium on Saturday, April 23, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Russ Huesman readily admits that he’s a James Stovall “fan.”

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior receiver for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga gave his coach plenty of reason to be so in 2015.

No Moc caught more passes than Stovall’s 29 receptions in the final nine games of last season. Only C.J. Board had more yards (440 to 398), and Stovall caught four touchdown passes, which was a team high for the season.

“I love him. He got so much better as the year went along,” Huesman said. “He’s tough as nails, a competitor, and that’s what you look for. He has a lot of athletic ability, but he has other intangibles, too.”

Huesman continued to praise Stovall’s toughness, referencing a spring practice in which the Bradley Central graduate had a shoulder pop out but “didn’t let it faze him and popped it right back in.”