SCHEDULE | TICKETS

CHATTANOOGA---The 2023 football season is fast approaching. The Chattanooga Mocs kick off the season on Sept. 2, at North Alabama. Get in the know with GoMocs.com's annual position-by-position preview to the campaign.
 
The is the second in nine installments with a bonus 10th we snuck in last week with the Southern Conference Media Day festivities. Each Tuesday and Thursday through August 24 will get an in-depth look at a position group.
 
Today's look is at the defensive line. That room is a point of immense pride over the years and looks to continue the sterling history of the defensive front at Chattanooga.
 
Starters Returning (3): DE Ben Brewton, Edge Jay Person, DT Marlon Taylor
 
Starters Lost (1): DT Devonnsha Maxwell
 
Letter Winners Returning (9 including starters): Quay Wiggles (1 start), Deovion Davis, Marquise Freeman, O'Shea Jackson, Shamar Jones, Kelvin Morris
 
Newcomers (10): Will Brown (Fr.), Nick Charles (RS Fr.), Jestin Gilmore (RS Fr.), Isaiah Harvey (Fr.), Montrell Henderson (RS Fr.), DeAndre Jones (RS Fr.), Jamarr Jones (Fr.), Ky Tayo (Georgia Southern), E.J. Thomas (Contra Costa CC), Chris Victor (Mississippi Valley State)
 
Descriptive Word
Menace. This group is not for the feint of heart at the quarterbacking position. The defense provides great pressure up front with 77 sacks over the last 27 games and 198 total tackles for loss. True, all-time school and SoCon sack leader Devonnsha Maxwell departs, but the returning unit includes league co-leader and 2022 SoCon Defensive Player of the Year Jay Person. Ben Brewton was just a half-sack out of the lead (7.5). Other fair choices to describe the group include lethal, nightmarish and dangerous, and that's without breaking out the Thesaurus or right clicking for you PC kids at home.
 
Class Breakdown
Seniors (3): Ben Brewton (19 career starts), O'Shea Jackson, Shamar Jones, Jay Person (27)
Juniors (4): Marlon Taylor (12), E.J. Thomas, Chris Victor, Quay Wiggles (2)
Sophomores (4): Deovion Davis, Marquise Freeman, Kelvin Morris
Freshmen (8): Will Brown, Nick Charles (RS), Jestin Gilmore (RS), Isaiah Harvey, Montrell Henderson (RS), DeAndre Jones (RS), Jamarr Jones, Ky Tayo (RS)
 
Notes to Know…

• Two former Mocs are currently on NFL rosters at defensive tackle: 2018 SoCon Defensive Player of the Year Isaiah Mack (N.Y. Jets) and 2021 SoCon DPOTY Devonnsha Maxwell (Cincinnati Bengals).
• Since 2009, eight Mocs have celebrated seasons with the league's DPOTY Award:
  2009: Josh Beard
  2012: Davis Tull
  2013: Davis Tull
  2014: Davis Tull
  2016: Keionta Davis
  2018: Isaiah Mack
  2021: Devonnsha Maxwell
  2022: Jay Person
• 35 sacks in 2022 tied 2014 for the second-highest total in school history behind 38 in 2016. The room returns the league's co-leader Jay Person's 8.0 which was matched by Maxwell. Ben Brewton tied for third a half-sack behind with 7.5.
• Person (17.5) and Brewton (14.5) are close to becoming the fifth and sixth Mocs all-time with 20 or more sacks in a career: Maxwell (37.5), Tull (37.0), Davis (31.0) & Josh Williams (23.5).
• Person is fourth all-time in TFLs with 39. He needs a school-record 21.5 to break the career mark of 60.0 set by Tull from 2011-14.
• Last year's front forced nine fumbles and recovered four (Brewton, Montrell Henderson, Marlon Taylor, Quay Wiggles).

 
GoMocs.com Position-by-Position
July 25 – Offensive Line
July 27 – SoCon Media Day
August 1 – Defensive Line
August 3 – Defensive Backs
August 8 – Quarterbacks
August 10 – Wide Receivers
August 15 – Linebackers
August 17 – Tight Ends
August 22 – Special Teams
August 24 – Running Backs
 
Watch Lists
Shrine Bowl 1000: Edge Jay Person and Offensive Lineman Griffin McDowell
Allstate AFCA Good Works Team: Defensive Back Reuben Lowery III
 
Preseason All-America Teams
Athlon – Jay Person
Bluebloods – Jay Person, Kam Brown
HERO Sports – Kam Brown
Phil Steele – Jay Person, Kam Brown (3rd), Ailym Ford (3rd)
 
Season Tickets On Sale
The Mocs 2023 schedule is linked above. Five homes games are included with visits from Kennesaw State, The Citadel, Western Carolina, ETSU and Furman. Season tickets start at just $60 for general admission. Click the link above, go to the Go Mocs app or call (423) 266-MOCS (6627) to purchase.
 
Everything Is Cashless Now On Gamedays
No cash will change hands at Mocs athletics venues in 2023-24. That includes tickets, concessions, merchandising and even parking. Be prepared to pay by credit card when coming to enjoy the hard-working efforts of our student-athletes and coaches.
 
Concession Additions
Finley Stadium has added some new wrinkles along with old standbys in providing premier service to its visitors. One is the Fort Finley Grab+Go Market with snacks and beverages. The lineup just inside the St. Elmo Gates also includes Windy City Eatz, Chestnut Bakes, The Kettlecorn Man, Miller's Original Lemonade, The Max Grilleworks and Reggie's BBQ & Nachos. Go here for more information.
 
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