Not long after spring practice, Thomas Green decided that linebacker might not be the best spot for him. If the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga junior was going to contribute on a regular basis, he'd have to play elsewhere.
Green, who played with fellow Mocs B.J. Coleman and Joel Bradford at McCallie School, approached his coaches about switching to fullback.
"I asked them about moving, but I think it was something they'd been thinking about, too," Green said.
The 6-foot, 220-pound Green played in 10 games last season, mostly on special teams. He's been at every workout but one this summer and is trying to catch as many throws as he can since the only offensive action he got at McCallie was at tackle.
"Catching passes has definitely been the biggest adjustment," he said. "I've been on the Jugs machine a lot, and I'm just trying to get ready to catch passes from B.J."
Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield welcomed Green into his group of fullbacks, in part because he wasn't too thrilled with what he saw during the spring. Courtland Ellzey and Ryan Geist are the Mocs' other fullbacks, and neither has much game experience.
"We're not happy with our fullbacks right now, and we've got to get better," Satterfield said. "I've never seen (Green) play fullback or anything, but I hope it works out."
The Mocs are starting from scratch at the position this season after Shaun Kermah's graduation and Will Brooks' decision to quit football after his freshman season.
Softball showdown
The Mocs were in action Friday, but not at Finley Stadium or Scrappy Moore Field. The team was at Engel Stadium for an afternoon of burgers, jokes and softball.
Coach Russ Huesman said the get-together was Satterfield's idea. Among the impressive players were some surprises, such as center Justin Galyon, who patrolled the outfield with aplomb, and defensive tackle Nick Davison. To keep everyone safe, sliding and diving were prohibited.
"I just like seeing everyone out here together," Huesman said. "This was a good idea."
The Mocs were able to gather as a team because the NCAA allows for "occasional meals" at this time, as long as the players and coaches don't talk shop. There was no football talk Friday, just a bunch of players making fun of one another and their coaches.
Extra points
The UTC coaching staff and several players spent part of this week at Finley working at the Kids & Pros youth football camp hosted by former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Buddy Curry. Thursday, Coleman spoke to the players and several Mocs participated in an autograph session. ... Defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey is off to Denver on Sunday to join the Broncos briefly as part of the NFL's minority intern coaching program. He'll return on Aug. 3, the day before practice begins.