Mocs Coach Russ Huesman Big Fan of Redshirting Freshmen

Chattanooga-(WDEF) When freshman football players arrive at UTC, head coach Russ Huesman likes to give the young guys time to adjust to the college life and the grind of college football.
That’s why he’s a big fan of redshirting his newcomers.
You always see Russ Huesman wearing the Mocs Blue and Gold, but his favorite color shirt is a red shirt. From the school’s 2015 media guide, over 40 players are listed as redshirting their freshman season.
Said offensive lineman Corey Levin-“Usually Coach Huesman tends to redshirt more players than not.”
Said Huesman-“In our situation 5th year seniors will probably be better than true freshmen. That’s kind of what you want to get to.”
But buying into a redshirt season is not always easy.
Said Levin-“I don’t remember really being excited, but I figured out that it’s for the better to redshirt.”
Reporter-“How did you stay positive?”
Said defensive back Lucas Webb-“Well it wasn’t really a choice. It was more or less redshirt. I was like you’ve got to get it down. Got to learn it.”
Before long though, players seem to realize some of the advantages of a redshirt.
Said Levin-“You catch up not only strength wise with guys in college because you realize you’re going against grown men out here.”
It’s also a chance to catch up academically.”
Said Webb-“I really think the extra year not only helps you physically and mentally get prepared, but just the extra year to get closer to my teammates.”
Huesman believes redshirting is more effective at the FCS level.
Said Huesman-“Some of these bigger schools, they’ve got to play the freshmen. They’ve got to play the true freshmen. Those guys are probably a little bit more ready than what we recruit coming out of high school. Makes a lot of sense. We’ve done it at a lot of places I’ve been.”