Chattanooga

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s football team is gearing up for the 2025 season, set to kick off on August 30 against Memphis, amidst significant changes to its defensive roster. With a focus on strengthening the defense, the coaching staff has made substantial adjustments, particularly after evaluating the performance of offensive positions in previous seasons.

Key Changes in Defensive Roster

As part of its roster restructuring, the UTC football team has seen several key departures from its defense:

Departures

• Reuben Lowery III: Graduated after starting all 11 games, he recorded 62 tackles with 7.5 for loss and 2 interceptions.
• Jordan Walker: Transferred to West Virginia; he played in all 12 games with 60 tackles and broke up 7 passes.
• Josh Battle: Transferred to Southern Miss; also a 12-game starter, he had 58 tackles, 3.5 for loss, and 1 interception.
• D’Arco Perkins-McAllister: Transferred to Louisiana-Monroe, he had 35 tackles and 3 interceptions.
• Beni Mwamba: Transferred to Memphis; played 7 games with 17 tackles and 2 interceptions.
• Rickie Davis Jr.: Transferred after 9 games with 9 tackles.
• Demetrius Coleman: Transferred to Valdosta State after participating in 12 games.
• Chayce Bishop: Graduated, contributing 7 tackles over 11 games.
• Amaari Smith: Transferred to Savannah State, played in 9 games.
• Jett Hood and Christian Harris: Both left the team or did not play.

Returning Players

Despite the major changes, several key players will return to help solidify the defense:

• Jeremiah Batiste: A senior with a significant impact last season including 3 interceptions.
• Martez Cooksey Jr.: A sophomore defensive back who started 1 game last year.
• Taylor Smallwood: Junior defensive back with brief playing time in 3 games.
• Others include Kam Baah-Slay, D.J. Adams, Josh Jones, and Jarian Dunlap Jr..

New Transfers

The team has also welcomed new talent to the defensive roster, including:

• Nick Coates and Kaelin Drakeford: Both transfers from Eastern Illinois aiming to make an immediate impact.
• Jordan Davis: A freshman redshirt from Ball State.
• Khari Gee: A junior from Georgia Tech, who will add depth to the lineup.
• The incoming freshmen include KJ Sejour, Austin Kent, Jaden Nelson, and Kamari Todd.

Analysis of the Secondary

The secondary of the UTC football team has undergone significant changes due to the loss of four primary starters. However, the program remains optimistic with the combination of returning players and new transfers. Notably, Jeremiah Batiste will be highlighted as a key player in the secondary, having led the team in interceptions last season. With ongoing competition expected, the nickel position will see intense battles between candidates like Cooksey and newcomer Coates. The influx of new talent should enhance overall competition and depth, essential for tackling the challenges that lie ahead in the season.

Conclusion

As UTC prepares for an exciting 2025 season, the team’s revamped defensive roster promises to put forth a competitive squad. The coaching staff and players are determined to rise to the occasion and enhance their standings as they face teams like Memphis in their opening game.

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