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 linebackers. This is a duo at the center of the Mocs defense both literally and figuratively. Their word has a broad scope…ability. That comes not only from the position coach but also the person tasked with coordinating what has been a staple in the Southern Conference for nearly two decades, a stingy, aggressive approach regardless of who has coordinated it.
 
Not only is Mike Yeager the linebackers position coach, but he's also the defensive coordinator. Who better to explain the position's importance and impact?
 
First Thought
"This group has the ability to be a really good unit this fall. They showed that this spring, but a lot of them haven't proven that (on the playing field). Playmaking ability comes through getting reps and playing football. The more they play, the more they'll be successful and more confidence they'll have." – defensive coordinator Mike Yeager
 
Breakdown

• 2024 starters: Alex Mitchell | 101 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2 FF, 2 Int.; Kameron Brown | 36 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1 Int.
• Other key graduation: Kobe Joseph | 58 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 2 Int.
• Two returnees: Zion Rutledge (Jr.), Amanuel Dickson (So.)
• Two redshirts: Landon Feggins (Fr.), Gavin Helton (Fr.)
• Three newcomers: Gunnar Clary (Fr.), Jonathan Hunter-Horton (Sr.), Kristian Ozane (Jr.)

 
A Quick Peek at the Room

• The room lost the No. 1, 4 and 7 tacklers from the 2024 defense. It returns No. 10.
• Every season under Coaches Rusty Wright and Mike Yeager, the LB room boasts the squad's top tackler.
• Early candidate to fill that void? Zion Rutledge. The junior has played in virtually every contest since his arrival in 2023. Most of that was special teams as a freshman before filling a rotational role behind Mitchell in 2024. He's poised for the proverbial breakout campaign.
• Yeager noted Rutledge and Dickson making huge strides in the spring. "Light years ahead" was quick quote on Rutledge who is bigger, stronger and faster heading into his third season.
• While there are early leaders to take those first snaps at Memphis on August 30, Yeager was quick to point out nothing is set in stone. There were six backers competing in the spring and seven now on campus and in workouts.
• Feggins and Helton were both on the 2024 squad redshirting. Feggins saw work on special teams over the final four contests. He and Helton have worked their way into the picture.
• Clary was an early enrollee out of Beech High School in Hendersonville, Tenn. He's taking the same path Dickson did a year prior to put himself in position to play immediately. Once again, there's a lot of competition for those snaps including an intriguing transfer.
• Ozane makes the step up from Davidson to Chattanooga. He played in 22 games for the Wildcats accumulating 58 tackles and 6.5 TFLs in more of a perimeter role.
• VMI grad transfer Jonathan Hunter-Horton was added to the mix in May. His experience in the league will have an impact on special teams while his resume includes safety skills making him very intriguing from a coverage aspect.

 
Taking the Long View
Ability is a broad term for certain. It's probably best to focus on the plural abilities, when assessing the impact this room has on the defense. Since Rusty Wright's (and Mike Yeager's) arrival in 2019, no Southern Conference defense has been as consistently oppressive to league offenses. It's been an attacking unit regularly leading the league, or among the leaders in scoring defense, rushing defense, takeaways, sacks and tackles for loss. The common denominator, a strong presence at linebacker with guys like Marshall Cooper, Ty Boeck, Kam Jones, Alex Mitchell, Kobe Joseph and Kameron Brown now passing the baton to the current group.
 
Hear from Zion Rutledge
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 Zion Rutledge joins Quake, David Paschall 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
"I think the first thing they have to do is be very smart and be able to diagnose plays and be where they're supposed to be. They set the defensive line so we can let those guys play aggressively. It's also their job to help the defensive backs by being where they need to be to make their job easier in terms of their coverage. They also, at the same time, when plays present themselves, they have to become playmakers." – Yeager on what his LB room requires
 
"All those guys should be able to compete for playing time. It's always been my mindset that guys who deserve to play, we try to get them into a rotation. Prove your ability to deserve to play by going out there and producing every practice grading out and doing what you're supposed to do." – Yeager on rotating at the position
 
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.
 
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