Rusty Wright's first real shot at college football's early signing period as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's head coach was, by his own admission, a rousing success.
The Mocs signed 14 players Wednesday - 11 incoming freshmen and three transfers from Football Bowl Subdivision programs - and eight of them are expected to enroll in January. Wright, a former UTC player and assistant, was hired last December during the early signing period, meaning most of the Mocs' signees for the 2019 class weren't picked up until this past February in the traditional signing period.
Coming off a 6-6 finish in Wright's first season in charge, when the Mocs contended for a share of the Southern Conference championship, UTC was able to fill some of its more immediate roster needs and build for the future by keeping a trio of area stars home - and getting another former local standout to come back to town.
(Read more: Get to know the newest UTC Mocs)
Red Bank's Lucas Brown makes a 50-yard touchdown catch during the Lions' Aug. 23 game at Soddy-Daisy. Brown, a versatile athlete who also stars in basketball for the Lions, was one of 14 early signees for UTC's football program Wednesday. / Staff photo by C.B. SchmelterAmong the signees are Red Bank senior athlete Lucas Brown, Baylor School tight end Christian Martin, Ringgold offensive lineman Reid Williams and former McCallie defensive line star Giovanni Reviere.
"It was a good signing period for us, with 14 total and eight joining us in January," Wright said. "That's huge to be able to work with them this spring. I'm really pleased with this group overall.
"We're always going to try and do as well as we can close by. That's always important, but it's harder now because a lot of kids want to go off to college. What we're trying to do here is probably a little more attractive to some guys who want to come back home."
The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Reviere played in 20 games in two seasons at Purdue and will be in position to earn a starting spot on a defensive line that had two senior starters last season.
"He's got all the tools," Wright said of the former Times Free Press Dynamite Dozen selection. "We would have taken him right out of high school, so nothing has changed there. He's an impact rusher off the edge, which is something we needed. He can bring another dynamic to our defense, and he has played at a high level of football."
Christian Martin has been a standout in baseball and football for Baylor, but he signed Wednesday with the UTC football program after playing tight end for the Red Raiders this past season. / Staff Photo by Robin RuddUTC's two other transfers, Western Kentucky running back Gino Appleberry and Western Michigan receiver Tyron Arnett, also will enroll early and should compete for playing time in 2020.
Brown (6-1, 180), also a basketball star at Red Bank, will bring major upside to whatever position he ends up at, Wright said.
"Lucas is a phenomenal athlete," Wright said. "He can do it all, and once he can settle into a spot he will become more dynamic and prolific. Once he can concentrate on one spot and one sport, the sky is the limit for him."
Martin converted to tight end from the offensive line this year for Baylor, while Ringgold's Williams missed five games after injuring his foot. The 6-2, 275-pounder was the first commitment for the 2020 class and is excited to join the program and learn from the Mocs' bevy of experienced offensive linemen.
"I'm willing to learn, and I can't wait to get started," Williams said. "It will be a whole new beast going to college and playing against grown men, but with guys like (rising senior) Cole Strange there, I can learn from some of the best around."
Former McCallie standout defensive lineman Giovanni Reviere, who began his collegiate career at Purdue, has signed with UTC. / Staff Photo by Robin RuddOne of the key signees is quarterback Ty Gossett, who played this past fall at Jireh Prep School in Matthews, North Carolina, after starring at Asheville's T.C. Roberson High School. Wright expects Gossett, who will enroll next month, to compete for playing time early. Nick Tiano, the former Baylor School star who started 23 games at quarterback for the Mocs the past two seasons, was a fifth-year senior in 2019. Gio Richardson, a freshman quarterback this year, elected to transfer.
"Ty is coming in early with a chance to play, which is huge," Wright said. "He had some offers coming out of high school, places he didn't really want to go, so he went to prep school to give himself time to figure it out. The big thing for him is he can jump right in and compete and give himself a chance."
Gossett is one of three college prep signees for UTC, joining tight end Travon Jones and offensive lineman Jeremiah Katt, both out of Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia.
Ringgold center Reid Williams looks to block during a game at Heritage on Aug. 30. / Staff Photo by Robin RuddContact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.