University of Tennessee at Chattanooga freshman Chaz Moore, all 160 pounds of him, could use some time to mature physically. But the 5-foot-10 cornerback, who turns 18 on Sept. 15, won’t be redshirting this season.
Mocs coach Russ Huesman said following Wednesday’s practice, in which Moore intercepted yet another pass, that the 17-year-old has earned the opportunity to play as a true freshman.
“You can book it, he’s playing this year,” Huesman said. “He’s doing a great job.”
Moore, a two-star recruit out of Whitehaven High School in Memphis, had nine interceptions his senior season. Playing primarily with UTC’s second-team defense, he’s been picking off passes throughout the preseason, getting nearly one a day.
“I”m kind of used to it,” Moore said of intercepting passes, “but this college level is a whole different thing.”
The Mocs have practiced 17 times so far this preseason, and in that time, Moore said, his footwork has improved dramatically.
“I’m coming out of my breaks quicker and as you can see I’m catching more interceptions because I’m breaking on the balls easier,” Moore said.
Huesman said Moore is one of three true freshmen that would play if the season started today. The other two are kicker Nick Pollard and running back Keon Williams, the former Red Bank standout.
Huesman said he likes the entire class of freshmen, but those three have stood out from the beginning, in part because of the confidence they’ve displayed.
“Keon hasn’t and Chaz hasn’t, and even Nick Pollard hasn’t – they haven’t looked like freshmen out here,” Huesman said. “If they look like freshmen, they shouldn’t be playing.”
Linebacker Keith Mayes, UTC’s other Red Bank signee, might still play, Huesman said, and one or two other freshmen also are being considered.
Injury report
Neither Williams (ankle) nor Pollard (hip) practiced Wednesday, sitting out for the second day in a row. Also out are defensive tackles Nick Craig (foot) and La’Nard Carr (ankle/foot) and safety Chris Lewis-Harris (foot).
Left guard Omre Harris (shoulder) has been held out of contact throughout the preseason, but could be cleared for contact today.
Extra points
The Mocs sold a record 102 season ticket packages Wednesday during their annual “30 Minutes or Less” promotion, raising their total to 2,305 sold for the upcoming season. Single-game tickets go on sale today. … The team’s guest speaker Wednesday night was Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon.