Even though he long had been considered the heir apparent at quarterback for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team, Alejandro Bennifield still wanted to make sure there was no doubt this offseason.
He was one of the program’s hardest workers, adding muscle as he increased his weight from 205 to 220 pounds. He tightened his focus and relationships with his teammates. His attention to detail has been even greater.
His time is now.
“It feels a lot better (getting all the first-team reps),” Bennifield said before practice Friday. “I feel like all my hard work has paid off to this point. I know how much the team is counting on me this year, so I feel I had to push harder than everybody else so I didn’t let everybody else down.”
Bennifield is different from his predecessor, the record-breaking Jacob Huesman. He’s more shifty and has more of an ability to make plays on the fly than Huesman did.
How does UTC coach Russ Huesman feel about that? He’s not sure yet.
“I don’t mind it much in spring. We’ll see how that goes,” Coach Huesman said. “I like more of the tuck and get-what-you-get type of thing not taking any chances, but he’s a dynamic player and I’ve been pleased with what I’ve seen so far.”
Bennifield steps into an offensive unit that returns four starters on the line and all of the other skill-position players, including running back Derrick Craine, who set a school record with 1,251 yards in the 2015 season. In addition, the program was bolstered by the addition of basketball player Duke Ethridge, who has looked good in his first three practices at tight end and could help even more if he remains with the program.
The most important voice in the huddle is that of the quarterback. After four seasons of that being Jacob Huesman, that responsibility now belongs to Bennifield. Teammates have seen a change in him in the offseason.
“He was a funny kid. He played around a lot – we all did – but he’s definitely turned into a team leader now,” senior receiver Xavier Borishade said. “He still plays around, but when it comes down to business, he’s all about his business. He likes to have everything in a set order.
“I think he grew up a lot, but that’s what we need. He’s still fun, but he’s a serious guy and that’s going to help us.”
The 6-foot-2 junior has had to work on the leadership aspect that accompanied his predecessor. Bennifield expects to develop the necessary intangibles the more experience he gets.
He was able to get a lot of playing time in different roles in 2015, finding his way onto the field as a thrower (138 yards, two touchdowns), runner (140 yards, TD) and pass-catcher (41 yards). His 39-yard touchdown pass on a throwback to Huesman gave the Mocs a 35-28 lead over top-ranked Jacksonville State in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, although they ultimately lost in overtime.
Now the quarterback job is his, full-time. And he’s ready for it.
“I’ve just been perfecting my craft, making sure I take care of the little things,” Bennifield said. “Leadership, all that is going to come with the territory of being the No. 1 guy.
“Right now I just want to make sure I do all of the little things right so I always have that to fall back on.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.