It’s that time of year. There are less than 50 days before the Chattanooga Mocs kickoff at Tennessee opening the 2024 campaign. That means preseason prognostications are the order of the day.
The Mocs, ranked No. 10 in the HERO Sport preseason poll earlier in the offseason, placed three on the first All-America team released. Defensive tackle Marlon Taylor and wide receiver Javin Whatley are first team selections with offensive lineman Reid Williams claiming a spot on the second squad per FCS Football Central.
"Three guys who deserve it," Coach Rusty Wright shared. "A lot of hard work's been put in by those guys to get better. To watch them grow and have this opportunity to be recognized in this way is huge. Now, they have to continue to play like that."
Taylor is a senior to the latter two’s junior status. The Brunswick, Ga., native is one of two Mocs (TE Jay Gibson) on the roster who have been a part of each Wright-led campaign in the Scenic City. His recognition comes at a position often overlooked as he does the “dirty work” inside while the ends reap the glory (i.e. sacks).
His career-high 5.5 sacks ranked third on the 2023 squad behind Southern Conference leader Jay Person (9.5) and Ben Brewton (8.0) and fifth in the conference. His 9.0 tackles for loss tied for ninth in the league. Taylor posted two sacks in the FCS Playoff win at Austin Peay.
Whatley captured headlines with a strong season of his own that led to national accolades. He collected 55 receptions for 977 yards and nine touchdowns. He helped lead a receivers room that ranked No. 16 in the nation between LSU and Texas among Division I programs per PFF College. His 54-yard catch-and-run at Alabama was the longest pass play allowed by the Crimson Tide in 2023.
Williams is the one of the leading candidates for the SoCon Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 2024. The center from Ringgold, Ga., has anchored an impressive o-line unit that’s won three of the last four Jacobs honors with two for Cole Strange (2020-21 & 2021) and McClendon Curtis (2022). His unit ranked second in the nation among all DI programs in pass blocking per PFF College behind Oregon.
The Mocs open the 2024 season at Tennessee on August 31. The game airs on SEC Network with a scheduled kickoff of 12:45 p.m. The first home game is also the SoCon opener with Mercer coming to town on Sept. 14.
NOTES
- Taylor is entering his sixth year in the Mocs program. Williams is in year five, while Whatley is the young guy going into his fourth.
- Whatley was a second team All-America per this same group a year ago while Williams was on the third team.
- Taylor is listed as the top returning FCS Defensive Lineman per HERO Sports.
- Whatley is No. 4 on HERO Sports’ top returning wideouts list.
- Williams is No. 14 on HERO Sports’ top returning offensive lineman sheet.
2024 PREVIEW SERIES
June 5: QB – Y2Chase
June 12: RB – Uncertain Certainty
June 19: WR – All Growns Up
June 26: TE – One More Year
July 3: OL – Who’s Next
July 10: DB – Let’s Stay Together
MEET THE MOCS
Sports Talk on WGOW 102.3 FM is running it back again this year. Their weekly ”Meet the Mocs” position segments interviewing key student-athletes over the summer months follow along with GoMocs.com’s position previews. Check out Jordan Walker with the Sports Talk gurus Scott McMahen, David Paschall and Joe Varner at 4:35 p.m. Click thelisten live link here on WGOW.com.
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 TOP 10 IN 1ST PRESEASON POLL
The Mocs are No. 10 in the HERO Sports FCS Preseason Top 25 released Thursday morning. The top 10 is led by South Dakota State followed by North Dakota State, Montana, Montana State, South Dakota, Villanova, Idaho, Sacramento State and Southern Illinois. Furman is 14th and Western Carolina comes in at 16.
STUDENT SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE
Season tickets for students are FREE. However, students do need to register for their ticket here.
