Offensive lineman Tyrell Ragland started week 1 at guard for the Chattanooga Mocs in his hometown.
photo by Laura O'Dell/GoMocs.com
There are a lot of great stories on this Chattanooga Mocs team. There are heart-warming, inspiring tales of perseverance as well as those who continually turn positives into positives. It’s a team so you get a little bit of everything along the way.
Time for perseverance and inspiration in talking Tyrell Ragland. The junior from Knoxville lived his dream this past Saturday starting at Neyland Stadium. His road to get there was anything but direct.
Ragland arrived for 2023 fall camp at a hefty 360 lbs. He suffered an injury and missed the entirety of the season. It didn’t take long to diagnose, but habits had to change. There was no way his body would let him play at this level at that weight.
We’ll let the excellent video work of MocsVision’s Tate Johnson be your guide through his story. From a first-hand perspective, we saw Tyrell’s daily work with sports medicine leaders Nate Barger and Evan Wilson as well as physical therapist Chad McDaniel.
The transformation was dramatic. Ragland took advantage of the wealth of resources here including campus nutritionist Jordan Yseth. He checked in this year at 308 and put in the effort in camp to emerge as the starter at left guard in week 1.
Where this journey goes is a mystery. But what’s not is a man who is about the right things making a difference in his own life with a little help from his friends. He inspires us, now take a few minutes to be inspired by him. Check out the video here.
Week 2: (10) Chattanooga (0-1) at Georgia State (0-1)
Game Time: 7 p.m. | Center Parc Stadium (25,000); Atlanta, Ga.
Series: 1-0 (History) | Media: ESPN+; Mocs Sports Network; Live Stats
Game Notes: GoMocs.com
ICYMI – Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday
Tickets on Sale
Season Tickets are the best option for Mocs fans. 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. Other choices:
SoCon Favorites
The Mocs claimed five first-place votes for a total of 61 points in a preseason poll of Southern Conference head coaches. A maximum of 80 was available as the Mocs were either one or two on every ballot. Furman was second including three top votes with Western Carolina in third with the other. Mercer was next followed by Samford, ETSU, VMI, Wofford and The Citadel. Ten student-athletes made the preseason all-league squad with four on the first team: DT Marlon Taylor (Preseason DPOTY), OL Reid Williams, DB Jordan Walker and WR Javin Whatley.
Preseason All-America Teams
Stats Perform: DT Marlon Taylor (2nd), WR Javin Whatley (2nd)
FCS Football Central: DT Marlon Taylor (1st), WR Javin Whatley (1st), OL Reid Williams (2nd)
Phil Steele: DT Marlon Taylor (1st), WR Javin Whatley (2nd), OL Reid Williams (2nd)
Watch Lists
Walter Payton Award: QB Chase Artopoeus, WR Javin Whatley
Senior Bowl: DT Marlon Taylor, DB Reuben Lowery III
Shrine Bowl 1000: DT Marlon Taylor, WR Javin Whatley