
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Individuals on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team have gained a lot of respect from the Southern Conference entering the 2017 season.
The team? That's a different story.
The Mocs were selected fourth in both the coaches' and media polls Tuesday at the SoCon media day at the Spartanburg Marriott, despite having a league-high 10 players selected to at least one of the two preseason all-conference teams. Wofford, The Citadel and Samford were picked to finish ahead of the Mocs in the 2017 season, with Mercer right behind UTC in both polls.
"I don't think it matters where you're picked," first-year UTC coach Tom Arth said. "It is what it is, but I'm glad. I was hoping we weren't picked very high; I think our players are going to see that, everybody around our program is going to see that. Not that we need it, but there might be something extra our guys will be reminded of every single time they step on the field, that they picked a bunch of people ahead of us.
"We'll take it. We're pleased, and we'll see how it finishes up when it's all said and done."
Senior offensive lineman Josh Cardiello, defensive end Isaiah Mack, linebacker Dale Warren and safety Lucas Webb were selected to preseason first teams. Quarterback Alejandro Bennifield, running back Richardre Bagley, offensive lineman Malcolm White, receiver James Stovall, defensive end Taylor Reynolds and cornerback Trevor Wright were picked to second teams.
Samford quarterback Devlin Hodges and The Citadel defensive back Kailik Williams were the preseason players of the year.
Bennifield and Webb said that although UTC's ranking doesn't really mean anything, it may light a fire under the team.
"The way I look at it is that last year wasn't good enough," Bennifield said. "It means this year that we have to be that much better to actually win the conference."
Added Webb: "Last year helped us understand that winning the conference is not a given. We've got to work for that, and with new coaches and a new scheme, it's a good thing from what we've done for the past couple of years.
"It will help us get the hunger back, get the drive we need."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.
PROJECTED SOCON FINISHES
School (Firsts) Pts.
Coaches’ poll
1. Wofford (7) 63
2. The Citadel (2) 54
3. Samford 52
4. UTC 41
5, Mercer 32
6. Western Carolina 27
7. Furman 26
8. East Tennessee State 17
9. VMI 12
Media poll
1. Wofford (11) 178
2. The Citadel (6) 166
3. Samford (3) 156
4. UTC (2) 152
5. Mercer 101
6. Furman 87
7. Western Carolina 71
8. East Tennessee State 49
9. VMI 30
PRESEASON ALL-SOCON PLAYERS
Offensive player of the year: Devlin Hodges, QB, Samford
Defensive player of the year: Kailik Williams, DB, Citadel
OFFENSE
First Team
QB Devlin Hodges, Samford
RB Cam Jackson, Citadel
RB Detrez Newsome, WCU
OL Tyler Davis, Citadel
OL Matthew Schmidt, Furman
OL Thomas Marchman, Mercer
OL Josh Cardiello, UTC
OL Roo Daniels, Wofford
TE Sam Walker, Mercer
WR Kelvin McKnight, Samford
WR Terryon Robinson, WCU
Second Team
QB Alejandro Bennifield, UTC
RB Antonio Wilcox, Furman
RB Richardre Bagley, UTC
OL Alex Rios, ETSU
OL Caleb Yates, Mercer
OL Malcolm White, UTC
OL Nathan Dalton, WCU
OL Ross Demmel, Wofford
TE Chandler Gouger, Wofford
WR Marquise Irvin, Mercer
WR James Stovall, UTC
DEFENSE
First Team
DL Ahmad Gooden, Samford
DL Isaiah Mack, UTC
DL Miles Brown, Wofford
DL Tyler Vaughn, Wofford
LB Shaheed Salmon, Samford
LB Dale Warren, UTC
LB Allan Cratsenberg, VMI
LB Datavious Wilson, Wofford
DB Kailik Williams, Citadel
DB Omari Williams, Samford
DB Lucas Webb, UTC
DB Devin Watson, Wofford
Second Team
DL Ken Allen, Citadel
DL Jonathan King, Citadel
DL Jaylan Reid, Furman
DL Isaiah Buehler, Mercer
DL Taylor Reynolds, UTC
LB Myles Pierce, Citadel
LB Dylan Weigel, ETSU
LB Ryan Francis, VMI
DB Aaquil Annoor, Furman
DB Trevor Wright, UTC
DB Greg Sanders, VMI
DB Keion Crossen, WCU
DB George Gbesee, Wofford
SPECIALISTS
First Team
PK Cole Fisher, Mercer
P Ian Berryman, WCU
RS Detrez Newsome, WCU
Second Team
PK JJ Jerman, ETSU
P Austin Barnard, Samford
RS Chandler Curtis, Mercer
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