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Added depth could spark competition with UTC linebackers

Staff File Photo by Larry Sullivan II/UTC's Zion Rutledge, right, runs to the football during practice at Scrappy Moore Field on during spring practice in March. Rutledge returns to help head the linebacking corps this season. Staff File Photo by Larry Sullivan II/UTC's Zion Rutledge, right, runs to the football during practice at Scrappy Moore Field on during spring practice in March. Rutledge returns to help head the linebacking corps this season.

By Times Free Press Staff July 19, 2026 2 min read

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s 2025 football season kicks off on Aug. 30 at Memphis, and beat writer Gene Henley is taking a positional look at UTC’s roster. After spending the past few days on the offense, we’ve moved onto the defense.

A day after spotlighting the defensive line, today we take a look at the linebacker position.

Who’s Gone: Amanuel Dickson (transferred to Robert Morris; 12 games, 11 starts, 67 tackles, 6.5 TFL, two interceptions); Jonathan Hunter-Horton (graduated; 12 games, six tackles); Drake Luckie (left team).

Who’s Back: Zion Rutledge (senior, 5-11, 225, 12 games, 11 starts, 100 tackles, 4.5 TFL, sack); Kristian Ozane (senior, 5-11, 218; 12 games, one start, 32 tackles, 1.5 TFL); Landon Feggins (redshirt sophomore, 6-0, 226, 12 games, 26 tackles); Gavin Helton (redshirt sophomore, 5-11, 218, 12 games, 11 tackles); Gunnar Clary (freshman, 6-1, 218; redshirted).