Rusty Wright had the pleasure in 2023 of not having to peruse the transfer portal for a quarterback, as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga head coach was returning senior Chase Artopoeus from a solid first season in the program after Artopoeus had transferred from UCLA the offseason prior.
But with Artopoeus now graduated and the Mocs entering 2025 with just one scholarship quarterback on the roster, Wright and the coaching staff are searching again.
Wright made it clear Friday that UTC will be bringing in someone to compete with junior-to-be Luke Schomburg,though program is just not going to be in a rush to do so.
“There are more starting quarterbacks out there than there ever has been that are trying to find a place to go,” Wright said. UTC does also return sophomore Matthew Clemmer and redshirt freshman Battle Alberson, both walk-ons. “It’s a different dynamic and a different time this year than it has been the last two. Some guys are looking for better paydays when it’s all said and done, and it’s not just at the Group of Five level or our (Football Championship Subdivision) level.
“How many starting quarterbacks are in it is what’s kind of crazy. We’ll have to find somebody that fits us and wants to be here.”
Wright noted some of the difficulties of attempting to find the right fit. The Mocs have done well the past two times they’ve gone into the portal for a quarterback, getting Preston Hutchinson from Eastern Michigan in 2021 and Artopoeus a year later.
Hutchinson threw for 2,723 yards and 17 scores in 11 games, helping UTC to a 7-4 record in 2022, while Artopoeus threw for 4,633 yards and 31 touchdowns and guided the Mocs a 13-6 record in games he played the past two seasons, including coming in relief of an injured Schomburg in the finale, helping the Mocs defeat Austin Peay 24-17.
“It’s difficult (to find the right guy),” Wright said. “We make phone calls about guys at every position when it’s all said and done. There’s a lot more to it than this guy’s in it and you can take him; you’ve got to see if grades or classes transfer, all these things that people don’t think about.
“Is it going to take him two semesters to be eligible if he transfers and loses all of his credits? People just think, ‘Oh, I can go in the portal and this guy’s in there, you can get him.’ Well, it’s not quite that easy, whether it’s finances or classes or location or level or whatever it may be. All those things factor into it.”
The Mocs only lost 13 seniors, but recently suffered some attrition to the portal with the losses of its leading receiver in Sam Phillips, leading rusher in Reggie Davis and top linebacker in Alex Mitchell. With the transfer portal officially opening Monday, these are the Mocs’ top needs, minus quarterback, this offseason:
1. Offensive line: The Mocs only lose right tackle Dave Monnot to graduation, but this feels like a major need as the running game averaged 3.4 yards per carry, lowest since 2017. The offense had to change early in the season due to the unit’s inability to block and while there were injuries (losing starting left tackle Almarion Crim midway through the year hurt), this unit has to improve.
2. Running back: Davis did have a team-high 850 yards and five scores, but the running back room battled injuries all season and he was the only player available for all 12 games. This feels like a spot where maybe the Mocs bring in two transfers to go along with T.J. Worthy, a prep signee from Alabama.
3. Edge rusher: The Mocs lost Chris Victor — who had 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss — and Joseph Bakhole, but the pass rush UTC is historically known for was missing as the defense was credited with just 20 sacks as a team in 2024. Leroy Harris III, who had a knack for finding himself around the football with three fumble recoveries, is back for his sophomore season, but additions are likely necessary.
4. Linebacker: Mitchell, who had 101 tackles (2.5 for loss), two sacks and a pair of interceptions, is a likely Group of Five transfer, and the Mocs also graduated Kameron Brown and Kobe Joseph, each of whom was highly productive in their final seasons. Zion Rutledge will lead the returners, but this is an ideal place to add.
5. Receiver: While losing Phillips (823 yards on 50 catches) hurts, the Mocs do return seniors-to-be Javin Whatley (677 yards, six touchdowns) and Chris Domercant (640 yards, team-leading 17.8 yards per reception). Sophomore A.J. Little has shown some promise and may be ready to step into Phillips’ spot, but bringing in some competition can’t hurt.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com.