QUARTERBACKS
The starting quarterback job will go to junior Nick Tiano or sophomore Chris James. Tiano has game experience, having played in five contests last season and throwing for 873 yards. He also has the advantage of having gone through two UTC spring practices, two preseason camps and a season, whereas James missed almost all of his first spring with a hand injury. Both players have strong arms and likely will get opportunities. The season-long suspension of 201 All-Southern Conference Freshman selection Cole Copeland leaves sophomore Dominic Caldwell and true freshman preferred walk-on Cooper Bell as the only options behind the main two. Caldwell did throw a touchdown pass in 2017.
RUNNING BACKS
Expectations couldn’t be much higher for junior college All-American Tyrell Price, who received second-team All-SoCon preseason honors despite not having suited up for the Mocs yet. He has the size (6-foot, 220 pounds) to run between the tackles and the agility, size and speed to get to the second level of making players miss. Injuries have derailed most of Alex Trotter’s career, but the former McCallie standout has been healthy and the coaching staff is expecting a big senior season. Sophomore Jonathan Stovall and true freshman Isaiah Cobb are 200-pound backs who could be asked to take some of the load off Price and Trotter.
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS