A year ago, Derrick Craine entered spring football practice for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga eager to prove he was capable of being a viable replacement for departing Keon Williams.
This time around, Craine’s role has changed dramatically.
He has done a lot of watching as the Mocs enter the second week of practice. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound senior-to-be had a school-record 1,251 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns, and he still was considered one of the program’s hardest workers during the winter months.
The only thing stopping him now is a coaching staff that is holding him out of most spring practices.
“We don’t need to see anything out of him,” offensive coordinator Jeff Durden said. “He’s our strongest guy pound-for-pound. He’s a quality leader, so when he is in the weight room people look to him.”