Former Moc Derrick Lott signs with NFL’s Detroit Lions

Former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga standout defensive lineman Derrick Lott signed with the Detroit Lions last week. Lott was an AllSouthern Conference performer for the Mocs from 2012-14.

This is the fifth team Lott has been affiliated with since signing as an undrafted free agent by the Titans in 2015. He also spent time with Tampa Bay in 2015, and was with the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders last season.

Lott played in 29 career games with 14 starts at UTC. He was fourth in the SoCon with six sacks as a senior in 2014. He was also third in the league with 13.5 tackles for loss. Following his senior year, he played in the East-West Shrine Game and was invited the to the NFL Combine.

UTC adds to its already school record with eight former student-athletes on an NFL roster at one time. Also currently active in the NFL are C.J. Board (Ravens), Keionta Davis (Patriots), Jacob Huesman (Giants), Corey Levin (Titans), Chris Lewis-Harris (Broncos), Buster Skrine (Jets) and Davis Tull (Rams).

UTC soccer adds Simmons to staff

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga head women’s soccer coach Gavin McKinney announced the addition of student assistant Ashley Simmons.

Simmons, a 2016 Chattanooga graduate, was a standout central defender for the Mocs and was first selected a captain for the team as a sophomore.

“Ashley was a captain for us, a leader who can help our current squad as they continue to grow both on and off the field,” McKinney said. “She is from Chattanooga and was a player here before we arrived. She has been part of the UTC soccer program’s transition and we feel her experiences will be invaluable to the program as it continues to grow.”

Simmons played in 62 games at Chattanooga, making 57 starts. On just 17 shots, she scored one goal and assisted on two more from her defender position. She scored her first collegiate goal in her freshman season in UTC’s win over South Carolina State and as a junior assisted on the Mocs’ game winning goal against The Citadel.

Simmons was part of a staunch Mocs’ defense in 2016 that allowed just 1.49 goals against, third best average in school history and 29 goals, the fourth fewest ever allowed by UTC.

She will help with the Mocs’ day-to-day operations both on and off the field.