With 14 signees already in for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football program's 2020 recruiting class, including eight who will enroll next month and be available for spring practices, coach Rusty Wright and his staff could be satisfied heading into the start of their second season together.
While the Mocs are pleased with the early haul, Wright insisted there's no time for him and his assistants to rest or pat each other on the back. He said that in many ways the next signing period, which starts Feb. 5, is the better opportunity for Football Championship Subdivision teams to score big on the recruiting trail.
"The great thing about our level is there are still guys out there," Wright said after the early signing period last week. "It kind of changes your thinking a bit. We can reset ourselves and kind of pinpoint the guys who are left. For us, it's time to see what's left and evaluate all over again. It's a great start for us, but we hope to sign eight or nine more in the next round."
The key point for the Mocs is that most of their roster needs have been filled. Wright wants to add a defensive tackle, an inside linebacker, a cornerback, a safety, an offensive lineman and a kicker, but even those needs are more for 2021 and beyond.
The big early signing class, coupled with 30-plus freshmen and transfer additions in Wright's first six months on the job after being hired late last December, gives the Mocs the opportunity to be quite a bit more picky concerning targets to round out the 2020 class this winter.
Having worked at FCS programs for most of his 23 years as a coach, Wright understands the key to winning is player development. Very few true freshmen will play for the Mocs next season out of necessity, and there will be far fewer transfers.
Red Bank's Lucas Brown, a versatile athlete who can make an impact on offense, defense or special teams, was among the early signees for 2020 for the UTC football program last week. Compared to his first season in charge of the Mocs, coach Rusty Wright expects to be able to give his newest signees more time to develop. / Staff file photo by C.B. SchmelterA year into his job, Wright and his staff are focusing on athletes with upside and character. Red Bank's Lucas Brown is a prime example. The two-sport star (he's busy with basketball right now) and two-way starter in football is likely to end up at receiver, but his athletic ability and personal makeup could land him on the field in a number of positions.
Like the rest of the 2020 class, though, Brown will get to play only if he earns the chance.
"Last year we had to fill spots and have bodies in case something happened," Wright said. "Now, take a Lucas Brown and where he fits, for example. It doesn't have to happen right now - if it does, that's great - but we now have the time to let it develop."
It's why Wright gets excited talking about Brown and other early signees such as tight end Travon Jones.
"Travon Jones is going to grow," Wright said last week. "He just turned 18, he's 6-5 and 210, and he's going to be 245 easy. This spring will be huge for him to get settled in and understand the offense a little bit. He can catch the football, he can run after the catch. He's only going to get bigger and stronger, and we're really excited about what Travon is going to add moving forward in the future."
Wright said similar things about defensive backs Reuben Lowery III and Jordan Walker, and the UTC coach smiled while discussing how offensive linemen Jeremiah Katt, Haze Solomon and Reid Williams are all willing to work and learn until they are ready to play.
UTC's early signees and those to come will all share one basic characteristic, Wright said.
"I don't get caught up in stars or rankings," he explained. "We ask them if they love to play the game. That's the biggest thing. Do you love working out, going to class and all those things that nobody sees?
"If a guy has to think about it, we usually move on to the next one."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.