After transferring to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga prior to the 2020 football season, Romeo Wykle knew he needed some time to get acclimated.
He was essentially coming home, having been a two-way standout at nearby Cleveland High School before spending his first two college seasons with the Patriot League’s Lafayette in Easton, Pennsylvania — situated some 75 miles east of New York and about the same distance north of Philadelphia. And he was joining a UTC roster that already had his brother Jay Person, a junior edge rusher this season.
But when it came to his position group with the Mocs back then, Wykle saw a relatively loaded secondary, meaning the chances of immediately earning playing time with so much experience back — especially at safety — were pretty slim.
So after playing sparingly in spring 2021 during the pandemic-delayed season, which didn’t count against NCAA eligibility, he redshirted last fall, with his game appearances below the limit for affecting eligibility. He took the season to grow off the field, inching closer to his degree. He took the year to grow on the field, trying to learn the Mocs’ system during practices.
That wasn’t easy, though. Wykle had played in 21 games with 10 starts while at Lafayette, but he wanted to get closer to home and be around family, hence the transfer. Two years later, not only has he had a chance to compete on a talented team while trying to find a role, he’s getting to do so 30 minutes from home.