Chattanooga Football In A Word: DE's=Us

First Look

The Chattanooga Mocs started 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 defensive ends. This unit is a pivotal one in the Mocs scheme having a strong effect on both the run and pass games. While the word “Us” may not jump out immediately, it encapsulates the varied impacts this room brings every down.

It’s derived from a simple motto. Sometimes you, sometimes me, but always US.

Coach Tyrus Ward is on year five coaching the position and certainly knows what it takes for “us” to be successful.

First Thought

"Since January, we've been talking about sometimes you, sometimes me but always us. It's as a position group, as a defense and as a staff. Just focusing on us as a unit each and every snap." – Ward on “Us”

Breakdown

• 2024 starters: Chris Victor (54 tackles, 12.0 TFL, 4.5 sacks) | Joseph Bakhole (23 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks)
• Three returnees: Marquise Freeman (Sr.), Jestin Gilmore (Jr.), Noah Livingston (Sr.)
• Zero redshirts: n/a
• Four newcomers: Orlando Daniels (Jr.-Albion), Anton Ricumstrict (Sr.-Delaware State), Andrew Wynn (Fr.), Xavier Parker (Fr.)

A Quick Peek at the Room

• Senior Marquise Freeman brings the most experience to the table in this defensive scheme. He’s tutored behind Jay Person, Ben Brewton and Chris Victor along the way and has everything needed to be an impact performer in 2025.
• Senior Noah Livingston is a transfer from Virginia Union who was in a reserve role in the Mocs defense in 2024. His competitive work in the spring and early summer tracks towards significant snaps in 2025.
• Junior Jestin Gilmore is in his fourth campaign in Chattanooga. His impact has been limited to special teams due to injury and depth at the position. He’s another who is hungry to take the opportunities afforded in this room.
• Impact transfers? The Mocs have two with a chance to do just that with junior Orlando Daniels and senior Anton Ricumstrict joining “us”. Daniels was a DIII standout at Albion in Michigan before spending the spring at Arkansas State. Ricumstrict is a coach’s son having followed his dad George at Buffalo and Delaware State before heading out on his own to the Scenic City. Both have plenty of game experience to fall back on as they learn the ins and outs of a new scheme that emphasizes this position.
• Don’t sleep on true freshmen Xavier Parker (Cartersville, Ga.) and Andrew Wynn (Savannah, Ga.). Both were celebrated signings that have the chance to contribute to the room’s fortunes in 2025.
• It would not be a stretch to see another signing/transfer here prior to fall camp with seven currently on the roster. Whether providing depth or immediate impact, there is an opportunity to a part of “us”.

Did You Know…

The Mocs defense affords a lot of playmaking opportunities to this group. Over the last 16 seasons, 10 of the squad’s tackles for loss leaders and 11 topping the sacks list played on the edge of the d-line. That includes the school record for season TFLs of 19.0 by Davis Tull in 2012 (matched in 2016 by LB Dale Warran) and sacks, 13.5 in 2015 by Keionta Davis.

Hear from Marquise Freeman

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, Freeman 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

“We look for guys who have motors and guys that start and end plays in a physical manner. Where that comes from varies. I had an Austin Collier who was 6-2, 250 lbs. Ben Brewton stayed at 220. There's not one measurement. I think it's finding the right fit because it's a combination of everything. Can he mentally handle it? Is he willing to put in the work? Is he coachable? Will he be bought in to doing what that position requires? This room is really, really important to what we do and how we do things (on this side of the ball).” – Ward on the characteristics needed to play DE in this defense

"Our room has really come together in the concept of the group. Being about the group. Stopping the run with the group. Rushing the passer with the group. It has to be a group effort to get the job done." – Ward expanding on the meaning of Us

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.