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Jamarr Jones celebrates a big play in the 2024 opener at Tennessee
Derek Daniel

DTs “In A Word”: Consistency

Jamarr Jones

Jamarr Jones and the Chattanooga Mocs defensive tackle room look to continue trademark consistent play according to coach Julian Miller.

First Look
The Chattanooga Mocs are starting the summer months with a new storyline for the football program. Out is the weekly preview series and in is a new version focused on a single word. Each position coach shares his outlook for his crew in a single word.
 
This week we look at the defensive line, specific inside at the tackles. Their word is pretty simple in nature…consistency. The word is not sexy nor motivational, but for a room packed with talent looking to emerge from the shadows, it perfectly fits the trajectory both of the current group and what has, well, consistently proven to be the class of the FCS.
 
First Thought
"The word we bring from the spring is just being consistent as a group overall. We made big strides in the spring. It's just about continuing to make those same strides and being consistent in all aspects, because to be honest with you the group of guys I have now, especially the guys who have been around, they're hungry." – defensive tackles coach Julian Miller
 
Breakdown  
A Quick Peek at the Room
  • Hunger is an excellent term. The defensive line has been pretty stacked the last few seasons but multi-year starters Marlon Taylor and Quay Wiggles graduated along with key sub E.J. Thomas. That's opened up opportunity.
  • The first ones that come to mind are juniors Montrell Henderson and Jamarr Jones. Both have played a good number of snaps in a rotational role the last two campaigns and are poised to make the next step.
  • One of Henderson's first impacts came during his redshirt season in 2022. He pounced on a VMI fumble from Marquise Freeman's strip sack in the fourth quarter of the win over the Keydets.
  • Jones has not redshirted. He's been in the two deep almost from game 1 of 2023.
  • Ky Tayo is in his third year after transferring from Georgia Southern. He's seen limited work based on the depth of the room. Tayo has impressed in spring drills and fall camps.
  • CJ Smith, Isaiah Harvey and Gabe Flores are all coming off redshirt campaigns. They definitely fit the hunger ideal with plenty of snaps available.
  • True freshmen Mekhi Bell and Myles Mays come to the room with the possibility of making immediate impacts. Like the redshirts, that word consistency is pivotal to earning those opportunities.
  • Hampton transfer Jeremy Sharpe is the most recent addition. He began his collegiate career at Temple.
 
Consistency is a Trademark
Under Rusty Wright, this room has been the mark of consistency with names like Devonnsha Maxwell, Telvin Jones, Marlon Taylor and Quay Wiggles. All four were All-SoCon performers with four such honors for Maxwell, three for Taylor and one each for Jones and Wiggles.
 
No I in Team
The defensive line as a whole adopted a simple motto from the Philadelphia Eagles. With the tight relationship between the tackles and ends, it's kind of difficult to talk about one and omit the other. Coaches Miller and Tyrus Ward (DE) shared it with us: "Sometimes YOU, Sometimes ME, Always US". Knowing that it's going to take a collective effort between the two rooms, they sum it up with "we can't be great, without the greatness of others".
 
Hear from Montrell Henderson
The annual "Meet the Mocs" cavalcade of stars kicked off in June with the start of this web series. Sport Talk on WGOW 102.3 FM welcomes a Mocs student-athlete each week that pairs with the position group featured on GoMocs.com. This week, junior Montrell Henderson joins Quake and Cowboy Joe live and in studio. Tune in at 4:35 p.m., for the interview either on your radio dial or online here.
 
Final Thoughts
"These guys move really well. I think it's a really balanced out group. But it's just about being consistent. That's in when we show up and who shows up and just knowing who we have for certain key situations and all those types of things." – Miller on his DT room
 
"It was their consistent effort. It was a good blueprint for the guys who saw them firsthand. I would probably say that's exactly what is kind of transpiring in the room. Your Montrells, Ky Tayo, obviously Jamarr, those guys have been around and got to play behind those guys last year. I think those guys kind of set the tone." – Miller on the example set by Taylor and Wiggles
 
Tickets on Sale
The 2025 season kicks off August 30 at Memphis. It begins on the road with intrastate matchups at the Tigers followed by the short trip to Cookeville to visit Tennessee Tech. The home opener is Sept. 13 with the first-ever meeting with Stetson.
 
Season tickets are on sale beginning at $60. Purchases can be made here on GoMocs.com.
 
GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. Buy officially licensed gear in our online store. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook page or on Twitter. Find out how to join the Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here.
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