Martez Cooksey’s second career University of Tennessee at Chattanooga start didn’t go well for him, and he lost some of his confidence as a result.
So to try to restore that, safeties coach Wolf Shafer went back to his first career start to remind Cooksey that’s who he is — and can be — for the UTC defense.
Cooksey got the start at nickel for the Mocs last season against Tarleton State, after injuries to Nick Coates and Jaden Nelson against Stetson. But it wasn’t his best effort as Texans slot receiver Peyton Kramer had 190 yards on seven catches with three scores in a 52-24 win over UTC.
A week later, freshman Kamari Todd was inserted in that same position and started the final eight games of the year.
Cooksey’s performance was a far cry from that first start in the 2024 season finale at Austin Peay, where he was credited with 10 tackles (including one for loss) in the Mocs’ 24-17 win over the Governors.