Breaking down the 2025 Mocs: Defensive line | Chattanooga Times Free Press

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The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's 2025 football season kicks off on Aug. 30 at Memphis, and the Times Free Press is taking a positional look at UTC's roster. After spending the past few days on the offense, today we start on the defense, leading off with the defensive line:

Who's gone: End Chris Victor (transferred to California; 12 games, 12 starts, 54 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss); Tackle Marlon Taylor (graduated; 12 games, 12 starts, 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 6 TFL); Tackle Quay Wiggles (graduated; 12 games, 12 starts, 21 tackles, 2.5 TFL); End Joseph Bakhole (transferred to Appalachian State; 12 games, 10 starts, 23 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 TFL); End Leroy Harris (transferred to Kansas; 12 games, 1 start, 11 tackles, three fumble recoveries, one returned for a touchdown); Tackle E.J. Thomas (graduated; 11 games, 1.5 sacks, 1.5 TFL); End Jaden Gaines (transferred to Division II Lenoir-Rhyne; 10 games, 7 tackles); Tackle Kelvin Morris (graduated; 2 games); End Samari Brooks (left team; did not play); End David Stewart (left team; did not play).

Who's back: End Marquise Freeman (6-3, 216, Sr., 12 games, 1 start, 12 tackles, one interception returned for touchdown); Tackle Jamarr Jones (6-0, 238, Jr., 12 games, 2 sacks, 3 TFL); End Jestin Gilmore (6-2, 218, Jr., 12 games, 1 start, 2 TFL); Tackle Montrell Henderson (6-2, 294, Jr., 12 games, 12 tackles); Tackle Ky Tayo (6-0, 282, Jr., 6 games); End Noah Livingston (6-2, 234; 1 game); Tackle C.J. Smith (6-1, 255, redshirt freshman); Tackle Isaiah Harvey (6-0, 250, redshirt freshman); Tackle Gabe Flores (6-1, 255; redshirt freshman).

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC defensive tackle Montrell Henderson steps up to the line during a spring practice workout.

Who's in: End Orlando Daniels (6-5, 239, Jr., transfer from Division III Albion College where he had four sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2024); End Anton Ricumstrict (6-5, 229, Sr., transfer from Delaware State where he had 21 tackles in 2024); Tackle Jacoby Sharpe (6-1, 301, Sr., transfer from Hampton where played in nine games); End Andrew Wynn (6-4, 220, Fr.); End Xavier Parker (6-2, 217, Fr.); Tackle Mekhi Bell (6-4, 252, Fr.); Tackle Myles Mays (6-2, 278, Fr.).

The breakdown: Pretty much everybody who was anybody either graduated or transferred from UTC's defensive front from last season, putting spots on this season's depth chart entirely up for grabs. The Mocs do rotate a lot of guys in at the defensive end and tackle positions, so guys like Freeman and Gilmore on the edge and Henderson and Jones in the middle did see a lot of action. Aside from those spots, however, it's anybody's guess.

Jones has proven to be a playmaker in his two seasons in the program, but has yet to be an every-down player to this point and did most of his damage on third downs as a pass rusher and disruptor. The staff only brought in one transfer there, suggesting that they feel pretty good about the players they've brought in in recent seasons.

The edge position is a different story. UTC wasn't as disruptive in terms of getting sacks as they had been in the past, but still Victor was good enough to rank sixth in the league in tackles for loss. But he is gone, as are two other players to the Football Bowl Subdivision, leaving Freeman as the only rotation player back. The Mocs' history with edge rushers speaks for itself, though, and both Daniels and Ricumstrict look the part. Daniels was actually an Arkansas State signee before hitting the portal in May, which speaks to his talent and potential. There's talent still left, but also more questions around it.

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com.