signing day helmet
UTC Mocs logoThe on-field needs were easily identified as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football staff began putting together recruiting targets. But for head coach Russ Huesman, just as important as 40-yard dash times and weight room measurables was building a relationship with each prospect that would allow he and his staff to recognize their character and feel comfortable bringing them into the program.
“An unbelievable amount of time goes into finding out what type kid they are,” Huesman said. “In my mind that’s just as important as anything else we look at. The last week of recruiting is a mad dash of bodies all over the place and sometimes our coaches will tell me about how good a kid looks on film, but they know I’m not taking somebody I don’t know.
“I’m not signing them just because they look good on film. We have to know them and their family and whether they’re the type kid to fit in here with the type kids we have in our program. I feel good about all of these signees we’re bringing in. They had other offers, but they were appreciative of the opportunity that we were giving them. When you sign guys like that it makes it way more rewarding.”
According to their former high school coaches, the recurring theme from the Mocs’ 16-player signing class Wednesday was that each would not only perform on the field but had been a locker room leader as well.
Before giving his impressive senior stats — 2,200-plus rushing yards against the toughest league in Tennessee — McCallie coach Ralph Potter singled out the maturity of Alex Trotter, who along with Fayette (Ala.) bruiser Kyle Nalls is expected to be immediate impact players in the backfield.
Those characteristics trace back to the numerous afternoons Trotter spent at his grandfather’s garage, helping work on cars.
“He has always talked to me mostly about what kind of man I need to be,” said Trotter, who chose the Mocs over offers from both Army and Navy. “I take it as a huge responsibility to take the things I’ve learned and share it with others who maybe didn’t have it as good as me.
“I wanted to stay closer to home and be a positive role model here. I want to help UTC win as many games as possible, but I also want to make my family proud for the way I carry myself.”
Coach Huesman admitted there have been examples of players who met every physical criteria but that he, the staff and even current players noticed character traits that could make them potentially risky additions.
So while 10 of the 16 in this year’s class are rated as 2-star or better prospects by national recruiting services, as each new fax rolled in Wednesday morning Mocs coaches were quick to swap stories about off-the-field aspects as well.
One of the highest-rated signees, Knox Fulton safety K.J. Roper, led his team to three straight Class 4A state championships and 30 consecutive wins but defined his leadership abilities in the moments following last year’s title game. Fellow senior Dominique Williams was unable to join the team at midfield to hoist the trophy and celebrate with his teammates because he was being tended to by trainers on the sideline for a concussion.
Roper immediately brought the trophy from the field, handed it to Williams and the team celebrated together on the sideline before Williams was taken to a nearby hospital.
“That was just so that his teammate could share in the moment,” Fulton coach Rob Black said. “I heard more people talking about the sportsmanship K.J. showed after the game than anything about the game itself.
“He’s one of the most valuable players we’ve had, and that’s not just because of what he did on the field. It’s easy to recognize his talent when you see him play, but his natural leadership qualities are what draws other players to him and make them want to follow him. That’s the type character you want to build a program around.”
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.