UTC’s Nakevion Leslie looks to the sidelines. The UTC Mocs visited the Austin Peay State University Governors in the inaugural game of their new Governors Stadium.Defensive line
The Mocs lost four important pieces from what was the most dominant line in the Southern Conference last season: four-time All-American and three-time SoCon defensive player of the year Davis Tull, as well as Danny Ring, Derrick Lott and Zach Rayl. Tull and Lott currently are on NFL rosters, but the cupboard still is far from bare. Josh Freeman has started more games than anybody currently on the UTC roster, and Keionta Davis was a second-time All-SoCon selection despite coming off the bench. There are a lot of questions that are starting to be answered beyond that. Toyvian Brand is a fifth-year senior who has started games at tackle and end in his career and could move into Tull’s end position, but he’s being pushed by junior Vantrell McMillan, who is a playmaker on the edge. Taylor Reynolds and Isaiah Mack have shown flashes during the spring and into camp, and D.J. Prather and Tennessee transfer Justin King could figure into the rotation by the time the season starts.
Linebackers
This group is led by two players who have plenty of experience in junior Nakevion Leslie and senior A.J. Hampton. Leslie is moving to the middle linebacker slot vacated by Muhasibi Wakeel, and Hampton – who while not starting has played a lot of football at UTC – will fill Leslie’s old position. Dale Warren was the defensive MVP of the spring game and has proven to be a playmaker in limited action, and T.J. Jenkins and Tim Whatley will provide depth at the position and contribute if necessary.
Secondary
On the defensive side of the ball, this is the deepest and most talented group. A season ago, this was looked at as the weakness of the defense with a ton of inexperience, but the group grew and impressed as the season went along. Junior Dee Virgin and sophomore Trevor Wright return at the cornerback positions, and preseason All-American Lucas Webb and Cedric Nettles return at safety. C.J. Fritz, Ryan Bossung and Jeremiah Hay have shown they can make plays in the secondary and will back up at corner, and Tae Davis has proven to be a headhunter and a playmaker when he gets on the field at safety. Senior Sema’je Kendall is working his way back from injury and will return to play the dime position while being backed up by sophomore Tavon Lawson. The coaching staff also is high on true freshman Levonte Larry.