With the start of official practice approaching, the Times Free Press will preview the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's 2016 football team position by position during the next nine days.
We start today at quarterback:
WHO'S GONE
During his UTC career, Jacob Huesman became the player most directly connected to the team's success. He turned down scholarship offers from Football Bowl Subdivision programs to instead help his dad, UTC head coach Russ Huesman, resurrect a program that had been in the doldrums for decades. The younger Huesman set numerous passing and rushing records during his time with the Mocs.
WHO'S IN
The Alejandro Bennifield era has begun. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound left-hander, who despite 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash prefers to sit back in the pocket, has waited his turn behind Huesman the past two seasons.
He played well in limited action during the 2015 season, throwing a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage against Western Carolina, scoring on a 20-yard run against Samford and catching a 26-yard pass against Presbyterian as the staff found different ways to get him on the field. Coaches also felt good enough about him to turn down a number of quarterbacks who wanted to transfer to UTC after last season.
Tyler Roberson moves into the No. 2 position behind Bennifield. He showed some flashes in 2015, playing particularly well against Florida State to close the regular season. Offensive coaches spent more time in the spring focusing on getting him ready for this upcoming season.
NEW FACES
Despite a probable redshirt for him this season, the staff is high on incoming freshman Zach Weatherly, who prepped at Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville. He has a solid pedigree, with his father Jim - who wrote a number of hit songs, including "Midnight Train to Georgia" - having played at Ole Miss, including as a member of the Rebels' national championship team in 1962; he earned honorable mention All-American honors in 1964. The Mocs did receive a walk-on transfer in former East Hamilton quarterback Hunter Moore, who joined the program after a season at FCS program Central Arkansas.
STRENGTHS
The team has rallied around Bennifield. Players and coaches alike have raved about his growth as a player and a person since arriving at UTC, with a player recently saying that he thinks Bennifield "is more than ready for this." He can present a challenge for defenses - while his first thought may not be to tuck the ball and run, he's more than capable of getting downfield in a hurry. If he is as good as the team expects, there seems to be little limiting what he can do.
WEAKNESSES
The thing that could make Bennifield great this season is also the thing that is the biggest question mark. He only threw eight passes last season - two for touchdowns - and while he has been groomed to replace Huesman, he hasn't stepped into the fire in crunch-time situations yet.
He's no longer a curveball to throw at defenses; he's now the leader of a potentially explosive offense. Is he ready?
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.