UTC sophomore running back Kyle Nalls, left, shown with Shaqualm McCoy during a 2015 preseason practice, has been able to gain valuable snaps during practices leading up to the new season.The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga offensive coaches have a plan for Kyle Nalls. It's just going to take a while to come to fruition.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound sophomore from Fayette County High School in Alabama has gained some valuable experience in the backfield this fall, with injuries to Richardre Bagley and Alex Trotter and the limited activity of preseason All-American Derrick Craine. In a number of practices, Nalls was one of two backs to get action, redshirt freshman walk-on Chris Miller being the other.
"I feel like I'm progressing," Nalls said Thursday. "I've got to watch what Craine does, and learn from him. He shows a lot of what I need to work on. I feel like I should know more now because I've got so many reps, but I've got to keep doing what I've been doing and learning."
Nalls had nine carries for 31 yards as a true freshman in 2015. He has showed flashes of his potential, breaking off a 44-yard touchdown run in a late August scrimmage and running well between the tackles. Nalls reminds some of former UTC standout Keon Williams, who rushed for 1,037 yards and 14 touchdowns two years ago as a senior and ranks seventh all-time in career rushing yards.
Offensive coordinator Jeff Durden expects to have a similar package in place when Nalls is in the game as he did last season. The sophomore has, according to Durden, "some of the best hands on the team" and could touch the ball on passes out to the flat.
But Nalls has to put himself in that position to earn that time. As Craine's backup, he's going to have to be ready to get the tough yards between the tackles and move the sticks.
"As a young back, it takes a while to learn everything sometimes," running backs coach Shawn Bryson said. "We've just got to continue to bring Kyle along. The more reps he gets, the more comfortable he'll be. Once we get him running - if you see it, you've got to go - and he's getting in that mode the more reps he gets, but he's doing a good job."
Head coach Russ Huesman agreed with Bryson's assessment, adding that Nalls is going to have to run "like a big back."
"As camp went on, he's got better. Recently we've really been pleased with him," Huesman said. "When he runs like a big back, he's pretty good. He took a lot of snaps this camp and sucked it up, and I think he'll help us win games."
The Mocs are off today and resume practice Sunday afternoon as preparation fully turns to their season opener Thursday against Shorter University.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.