THE HEADLINER
There were questions as to who the featured back would be for UTC entering the 2015 season. Derrick Craine silenced those quickly, exploding for 169 yards and three scores in his second game and finishing with a school-record 1,251 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first season as a full-time starter. His tough, hard-nosed running style resulted in six 100-yard games and three multiscore rushing performances. He’s been ranked as one of the top 10 players in the Southern Conference, as well as one of the top 10 running backs in the Football Championship Subdivision, and will enter this season around 300 yards away from the top 10 on UTC’s career rushing leader chart.
PLENTY OF HELP
Richardre Bagley had about six or seven carries last season in which he was one broken tackle away from a touchdown. He finally broke free in the first round of the FCS playoffs with a 38-yard run against Fordham, and he finished with 531 yards of total offense as a threat rushing and receiving the ball. Alex Trotter and Kyle Nalls showed some flashes as true freshmen seasons and have continued their progress entering their second seasons. Nalls was the offensive most valuable player of the spring game. He and Nalls complement each other on the field in that Trotter is a back to get out in space while Nalls is a powerful, downfield runner who can be used in between the tackles. A year from now, it will be their turn.
STRENGTHS