Romeo Wykle never got discouraged.
A standout defensive back in the Chattanooga-area prep scene during his time at Cleveland High School, he moved on to Lafayette College, a Football Championship Subdivision program in eastern Pennsylvania, and became a regular starter in the secondary. After two years with the Leopards, though, he transferred back to the area at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga ahead of the 2020 season, and it took a little time for Wykle to find his place with the Mocs.
UTC coaches had stressed the importance of his role on special teams and as a reserve nickelback, but Wykle wanted his chance to do more on the field. So he prepared — that word is key —and waited for his opportunity. Then opportunity knocked with an injury to Reuben Lowery in the season opener earlier this month, and Wykle has kicked the door in with his performance since then.
Or as Mocs coach Rusty Wright told his staff: “We’re going to have to find somewhere else for Reuben to play (when he comes back), because Romeo is not coming off the field at all.”
At this point, Lowery is back and healthy and started last week against Samford at cornerback, opposite Kam Brown at the same position.