Defensive back Will Johnson not returning to UTC Mocs football team

photo UTC Mocs defensive back Will Johnson (24) runs during practice at Scrappy Moore Field.

An already thin position has gotten thinner as redshirt sophomore defensive back Will Johnson informed University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football coaches that he will not return to the program this season. According to head coach Russ Huesman, Johnson is leaving for "family reasons."

Arkansas-Oklahoma State Live Blog

"Will has been a great worker and a model student here, and we hate to lose a guy that we felt could help our program," Huesman said. "But I also understand that family is the most important part of life. He felt like he needed to be back home, so we support his decision."

Johnson, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound cornerback from Alpharetta, Ga., made the UTC dean's list twice and was a Southern Conference Honor Roll student. He played in three games last season, including one start, and made five solo tackles in the season opener against Georgia State. He totaled eight tackles before a shoulder injury ended his season and also caused him to miss all of spring practice while recovering from the injury.

He was, however, expected to compete for a starting job at cornerback had he returned. Sophomore corner Dee Virgin and junior safety Sema'je Kendall are the Mocs' only returning players to have started a game in the secondary last season.

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.

Upcoming Events