Mychal Austin fondly remembers making trips to Chattanooga when he was growing up in Calhoun, Ga.
He's coming back.
Austin committed to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football program Wednesday, becoming the Mocs' 12th commitment for the 2018 signing period.
The 6-foot-2, 250-pound defensive end from Apopka High School in Florida chose UTC over several Football Bowl Subdivision programs, including Big Ten member Minnesota and former Southern Conference rival Appalachian State.
"I had plenty of Power Five (conference) offers, but none of those schools made me feel like I was important," Austin said Thursday. "The coaches at Chattanooga were very vocal on how important I would be on the team and what role I would play coming in as a freshman."
He totaled 17 sacks, 26 solo tackles, a pair of interceptions and four forced fumbles this season for the Blue Darters, who finished 10-4 despite playing nine away games. Their season ended in the Class 8A regional semifinals with a 34-27 loss to Winter Park.
He becomes the third defensive end commitment for the Mocs, who lose Taylor Reynolds, a converted defensive tackle who had 64 tackles, 6.5 for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery in his final UTC season.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.