UTC right defensive end Zach Rayl watches from the sidelines during spring practice at Scrappy Moore field.University of Tennessee at Chattanooga linebacker Zach Rayl was moved to defensive end recently out of necessity. That necessity has yielded an opportunity.
The Mocs are loaded with linebackers for next season, so barring a rash of injuries Rayl might not have played there much as a redshirt freshmen. Defensive end is a much different story.
UTC is expected to return both of its starters – rising senior Chris Donald and rising junior Josh Williams – neither of whom have participated in spring practice due to offseason surgeries.
Their backups are rising senior De’Markus Lee, who has played in three career games, and redshirt freshman Davis Tull. When Tull broke his right hand late in the final practice before spring break, that led to Rayl’s move to defensive end.
“It’s a completely different position,” Rayl, a former McMinn Central standout, said. “The hand’s down, you’re just rushing, the whole thing’s completely different.”