SCHEDULE | TICKETS
 
CHATTANOOGA---The Chattanooga Mocs completed fall camp this past weekend. It was a hot stretch, but otherwise the weather cooperated with no missed days. It proved to be a beneficial 3-week period of growth for the eighth-ranked Mocs.
 
There is a large group of returnees including 14 starters on both sides of the ball. However, it's close to half-and-half returning players and newcomers.
 
"That's the challenge nowadays isn't it," Coach Rusty Wright asked. "Finding your football team (said with a chuckle)? No matter how many guys you got coming back, we're adding more pieces now than we ever have besides the freshmen that you signed.
 
"That's what we talked about as a team after we got to the last practice of camp. What's our identity going to be? Who are we as a football team?"
 
He continued to speak about the growth of the group as a whole through the camp work.
 
"Moving forward, it's how we figure things out from there as a group. Camp went pretty well. We were very fortunate weather-wise. We really only got slowed down one day, which I think that's the first time since I've been here that it wasn't an issue.
 
"I thought the guys handled it well. We changed some things up, did some things differently and we'll see if it worked."
 
Some news and notes through two weeks…
 
Watch This
Two more Mocs made a key national watch list. The Reese's Senior Bowl announced its annual and eagerly anticipated Watch List today and two Scenic City defenders were front and center.
 
Defensive tackle Marlon Taylor's name has been dotted on all sorts of watch lists and accolades throughout the summer so his inclusion as one of the nation's premier interior defenders was a natch as the kids say.
 
He's joined by defensive back Reuben Lowery III. The 5th-year senior has been a fixture in the Mocs defense in the slot safety position for the last three seasons. His all-around impact is well publicized as well.
 
"I think those two guys that put themselves in position to give themselves a great opportunity," Wright added. "Hopefully they play well enough this year that they deserve that opportunity at the end of the year. It's always good when you have guys get recognized for things and that are very deserving of that, and hopefully they continue to be that way all year."
 
Affiliate Added to Mocs Sports Network
A new affiliate is on board for the 2024-25 Mocs Sports Network calendar. Mocs Sports Properties added Cleveland, Tenn.'s WCLE. The primary location on the radio dial is 99.1 FM. The station is owned by Hartline, LLC, and features My Mix 104.1 FM as well as ESPN Cleveland 101.3 FM where you can hear interviews with "Voice of the Mocs" Jim Reynolds and Times Free Press beat writer Gene Henley throughout the season.
 
Swiss Army Knife
Junior offensive lineman B.J. Ragland transferred home to Chattanooga from Charlotte in January. He went through spring practice and a strong summer of work which has him flashing all over the line. While he may not start, he could be listed on the 2 deep at each of the positions as he spent time at tackle, guard and even center providing incredible versatility to the unit.
 
Corners Corner
One of the camp battles that carries over to the present is at cornerbacks. Yep, not just one, but both positions are available for the August 31 kickoff at Tennessee. There are numbers to throw at it with the coaching staff having plenty of good options looking to etch their name in the lineup.
 
Transfers Taylor Smallwood (Lafayette), Amaari Smith (Western Kentucky) and D'Arco Perkins-McAllister (New Mexico) are in the mix along with juniors Jermiah Batiste and Demetrius Coleman, sophomore D.J. Adams and redshirt freshman Christian Harris. True freshmen Beni Mwamba and Jett Hood entered the fray this summer. The question mark is more in the who than the what as there has been plenty of solid tape.
 
2024 PREVIEW SERIES
June 5: QB – Y2Chase | Meet The Mocs Radio Interview
June 12: RB – Uncertain Certainty | Meet The Mocs Radio Interview
June 19: WR – All Growns Up
June 26: TE – One More Year | Meet The Mocs Radio Interview
July 3: OL – Who's Next | Meet The Mocs Radio Interview
July 10: DB – Let's Stay Together | Meet The Mocs Radio Interview
July 17: LB – Stocked Up | Meet The Mocs Radio Interview
July 24: DL – Emerging | Meet The Mocs Radio Interview
July 31: ST – Reset | Meet the Mocs Radio Interview
 
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets are now available to the general public. The deadline to renew last year's seats is May 31. Prices start at $60 for general admission. Mocs Club members have the option for reserved seats beginning at the $250 donation level which includes a season parking pass to go with the season ticket. The purchase of season tickets is the lowest per game price for fans.
 
MOCS PICKED TO WIN SOCON TITLE
The Mocs claimed five first-place votes for a total of 61 points in a preseason poll of Southern Conference head coaches. A maximum of 80 was available as the Mocs were either one or two on every ballot. Furman was second including three top votes with Western Carolina in third with the other. Mercer was next followed by Samford, ETSU, VMI, Wofford and The Citadel. Ten student-athletes made the preseason all-league squad with four on the first team: DT Marlon Taylor (Preseason DPOTY), OL Reid Williams, DB Jordan Walker and WR Javin Whatley.
 
PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAMS
Stats Perform: DT Marlon Taylor (2nd), WR Javin Whatley (2nd)
FCS Football Central: DT Marlon Taylor (1st), WR Javin Whatley (1st), OL Reid Williams (2nd)
Phil Steele: DT Marlon Taylor (1st), WR Javin Whatley (2nd), OL Reid Williams (2nd)
 
WATCH LISTS
Walter Payton Award: QB Chase Artopoeus, WR Javin Whatley
Senior Bowl: DT Marlon Taylor, DB Reuben Lowery III
Shrine Bowl 1000: DT Marlon Taylor, WR Javin Whatley
 
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