Here are three things to watch for today:
› 1. The progression of the quarterbacks. Alejandro Bennifield, heir apparent to three-time SoCon offensive player of the year Jacob Huesman, has improved this spring, and he completed 65 percent of his 20 passes with no turnovers in the second scrimmage. His arm strength and athletic ability can’t be questioned; to see how well he has progressed from the first practice to today is the primary objective. Equally important will be the development of backup Tyler Roberson, who is now getting a lot more snaps in the jump from third-string to second. He is more of a scrambler, and the coaching staff has been trying to improve his pocket presence.› 2. What’s happening at tight end. Bailey Lenoir has been one of the most surprising players of the spring. Practices began with excitement around the possibility of former basketball player and athletic freak Duke Ethridge coming out to exercise the year of football eligibility he had remaining, but that lasted all of four practices. Steve Pickren, who started seven games last year, chose not to play his final season. That has opened the door for the 6-foot-4, 245-pound Lenoir, who has proven to be a solid blocker and an above-average receiver, to move into a battle with junior Malcolm Colvin at the position. After the tight ends combined to catch one pass last year, Lenoir provides an intriguing option.› 3. Depth at cornerback. Coaches have played with the option of moving Trevor Wright, who has started 19 games in his two-year career at cornerback, to dimeback (sixth defensive back). For that to be possible, they were going to have to feel comfortable about the other players competing for time at cornerback. They got just that with sophomore C.J. Fritz — who has great length and speed — being one of the standout players in the spring and redshirt freshman D.J. Williams emerging as a backup. Their improvements from winter workouts and through the spring have given the staff confidence they’ll have two capable bodies opposite 2015 all-conference honoree Dee Virgin.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football coach Russ Huesman has seen the ups and downs of spring practices.
Some players have taken a step forward. Others have flatlined where they are. Some have taken a step back.
The good thing for all of the Mocs is they’ll have one final chance to show what they’re capable of before spring turns to summer.
This afternoon’s Blue and White Game, which begins at 2 at Finley Stadium, ends a four-week, 15-practice grind for the Mocs. The team has gone through heat, rain and seemingly all of the elements this spring, but they’ll finish by playing an intrasquad scrimmage in front of fans.