SCHEDULE | TICKETS

CHATTANOOGA---The 2023 football season is fast approaching. The Chattanooga Mocs kick it off on Sept. 2, at North Alabama. Get in the know with GoMocs.com's annual position-by-position preview for the campaign.
 
The is the sixth of nine positional installments with a bonus 10th we snuck in at the Southern Conference Media Day festivities. Each Tuesday and Thursday through August 24 provides an in-depth look at a position group.
 
Today, we head into one of the most productive areas of the Mocs defense over the Rusty Wright era…the linebacking corps. A big part of that was the graduated starting duo of Ty Boeck and Kam Jones. They started 36 (Boeck) and 27 (Jones) times in the past 39 games under Wright.
 
It's not like the cupboard is empty. Junior Bo Spearman and sophomore Alex Mitchell played rotational roles behind Boeck and Jones proving their worth. Transfers Kameron Brown (Auburn) and Kobe Joseph (Harvard) are in the mix competing for playing time. Redshirt freshman Kendall Jackson and true freshman Zion Rutledge are not taking a back seat either.
 
There's plenty of opportunities for all 10 in the room including preferred walk-ons. Not only for defensive snaps, but also taking the route Spearman did in building trust from the special teams chances as well. The room breakdown…
 
Starters Returning (0): n/a
 
Starters Lost (2): Ty Boeck, Kam Jones
 
Letter Winners Returning (2): Alex Mitchell, Bo Spearman (1 start)
 
Newcomers (8): Kameron Brown (Jr.-Auburn), AD Crutcher (Fr.), Connor Delashmitt (RS Fr.), Kendall Jackson (RS Fr.), Kobe Joseph (Sr.-Harvard), Rip Hutcherson (Fr.), Zion Rutledge (Fr.), Kyan Simmons (Fr.)
 
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Physical: The Mocs linebacking corps is historically a physical group. This room looks no different in practice. Spearman and Mitchell are known quantities in game situations Brown and Joseph pushing every practice. There is no disappointment from the staff in Jackson and Rutledge's potential impact to the room and preferred walk-ons Delashmitt, Crutcher, Hutcherson and Simmons have each drawn positive attention.
 
Class Breakdown
Seniors (1): Kobe Joseph
Juniors (2): Kameron Brown, Bo Spearman
Sophomores (1): Alex Mitchell
Freshmen (6): AD Crutcher, Connor Delashmitt (RS), Kendall Jackson (RS), Rip Hutcherson, Zion Rutledge, Kyan Simmons
 
Notes to Know…

• Alum Tae Davis is one of six Mocs currently on NFL rosters (Atlanta Falcons).
• Spearman evokes memories of USFL's Dale Warren who used his athleticism on special teams while awaiting his starting opportunity in 2016 recording a school-record 19.0 tackles for loss. Other good examples of starter-level young players waiting their turn then excelling are Muhasabi Wakeel (2014), A.J. Hampton (2015) and former All-America Nakevion Leslie (2014-15) as well as the aforementioned Davis (2017).
• Mitchell earned his rotational snaps right out of the gate and excelled on special teams as well in 2022 as a true freshman. The list of true freshmen playing such a role is harder to find comparison in vital areas of the defense. Reuben Lowery III is one moving from understudy to Rashun Freeman to starter at the slot safety spot last season. At linebacker? There are a lot of redshirt freshmen who made the leap such as Wes Dothard's rise to All-America in 2011 as a redshirt sophomore but harder to find a true freshman that emerged in year 2.
• Brown keeps one eye on game film in-season on Sunday and the other on the Carolina Panthers. His brother Derrick was an All-America teammate at Auburn before taking the NFL by storm in Charlotte.
• Joseph is believed to be the first Ivy League transfer in school history.
• Jackson got his first plays on special teams in the season finale at Western Carolina maintaining his redshirt status.
• Rutledge was a Georgia State Champion in wrestling at Hillgrove High School.
• A linebacker has led the squad in tackles for every season since safety Chris Camacho's 135 in 2007. That's 15 straight seasons. It was outside backer in 2008 and 2009 (Joseph Thornton) shifting inside every season since as the Mocs shifted to more a 4-2-5 look early in the 2010s with the exclusion of a 3-man front in 2017 and 2018.

 
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
Walter Payton Award: Running Back Ailym Ford
Buck Buchanan Award: Kam Brown, Jay Person
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)
Stats Perform – Jay Person, Kam Brown (2nd), Ailym Ford (2nd)
 
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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