The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team has picked up its first commitment for the Mocs' 2013 signing class. Offensive lineman Hunter Townson of Ider (Ala.) High School committed to the Mocs on Sunday after making an unofficial visit on Friday.
"It was a big decision, really big," he said, "very long and thought out."
Following his junior season in 2011, the 6-foot-4, 276-pound Ider was named to the Alabama Class 2A All-State team as a defensive lineman and he was the Region 6 defensive player of the year. He also played offensive guard and said UTC wants to use him at tackle.
Ider is about 40 miles from UTC's campus and that proximity worked in the Mocs' favor. Along with being able to play close to home, Townson said he really liked UTC's coaches and its academics.
"UTC's been recruiting me since day one, and I just fell in love with them since day one," he said. "That was my goal, to work to get an offer from UTC, and once I got it I was really excited."
Townson said he had an offer from Arkansas State and was being looked at seriously by Marshall. Recruiting him for the Thundering Herd was former Mocs offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Geep Wade.
"I got to know Coach Wade when he was still at UTC. We talked three or four times when I came up to watch UTC play," Townson said. "I liked Coach Wade a lot, but I like [new offensive line coach Alex Atkins] just as much now that I've gotten to know him."