The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football program picked up its first two commitments for the 2017 season over the weekend, with linebacker Zach Feaster and tight end Parker Mallett making nonbinding pledges.
Feaster, a 6-foot-2, 207-pound senior at Beauregard High School in Opelika, Ala., played quarterback as a freshman, rushed for nearly 1,000 yards as a running back in 2014, then played wide receiver and safety last season. He had 77 tackles (11 for loss), five interceptions and three sacks as a junior, helping his team reach the Alabama Class 5A state quarterfinals and finish 11-1.
Feaster tweeted Friday afternoon that he was “blessed to say” he had committed to the Mocs and included a picture of himself with UTC coach Russ Huesman. The Mocs recruited him with plans of using him as a linebacker.
Mallett (6-3, 220) is entering his senior season at Atlanta-area Sandy Creek High School, a Class 4A power. He chose the Mocs over offers from Air Force, Charleston Southern, Elon and Wofford. He had five catches for 140 yards and a touchdown in 2015.
“First off, I would like to thank God for gifting me with my athletic abilities,” Mallett tweeted Friday. “I would like to thank my parents and Coach (Chip) Walker for helping me through this process. I also want to thank all the coaches that reached out to me during the recruiting process.