Quarterbacks Caylon Weathers
Quarterbacks: Troy Cook, Kyle Akin, Dresser Winn, Clay Beathard and Joe Hudson.
Running Backs Londell Lee
Running backs: Jaimiee Bowe (injured), Marquez Grayson, Ty Brown, Ladarius Galloway, Deshaun Fields, Peyton Logan, Chris Davis, Marcus LeFlore, Terry Norris, Jordan Tucker, Bryce Warner (injured), Kylan Watkins and Dylan Yates.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Robert Burleigh
The senior receiver tandem of Caylon Weathers and Londell Lee brings starting experience to a young yet talented core. Weathers returns as the team’s top receiving leader with 32 catches for 385 yards and three touchdowns while Lee caught 25 passes for 355 yards and four touchdowns. Top receivers to watch are Weathers, Lee, Jaylon Moore, Rodney Williams II, Jaylen Smith and Tyler Eddings.
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2006 OVC CHAMPIONS • 2017 UT MARTIN FOOTBALL GUIDE • FIVE-TIME SGT. YORK TROPHY
THIS IS UT MARTIN
“I told these kids the other night that Juice (Bowe) was a big part of this team because of how he brings an element of electricity with the way he runs the ball,” said Simpson. “With that being said - collectively as a group - the production has still been there in different forms and fashions. It might be a different guy you turn to every game or every quarter, but there is a lot of depth. That’s a position where new guys can play if you have the ability, the quickness and the vision to find gaps and make a difference quickly.”
RECORD BOOK
If there were to be a position with question marks, it would be the position of running back. Counting on the performance of preseason All-OVC member Jaimiee Bowe, the Skyhawks lost the talented junior running back which rushed for 840 yards and seven touchdowns to an offseason injury for the year. With a fresh set of starting reps to be had, the Skyhawks will look to returners Marquez Grayson (26 carries, 133 yards, one touchdown) and Ty Brown (16 carries, 68 yards and two touchdowns) along with newcomers Ladarius Galloway, Deshaun Fields and Peyton Logan to shoulder the load.
2016 IN REVIEW
“We’ve got five guys with pretty talented arms,” said Simpson. “Troy is a very knowledgeable quarterback that has paid his dues and is a lot more relaxed this year without the stiff competition. It’s been fun to see how our fifth-year quarterbacks relax and really take control of their team. As far as Kyle, he has not only earned my respect, but the respect of his teammates to be able to go out there and move the football. Just from watching him through camp, I don’t think anyone has worked harder or grown more as a player than Kyle. We have great depth at the position.”
SEASON PREVIEW
The Skyhawks have the luxury of keeping the keys to the offense in the hands of preseason All-OVC performer Troy Cook, a fifth-year quarterback, for a second season. Cook has found himself on the College Football Performance Awards FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy Watch List after completing 166-of-298 passes for 2,321 yards and 22 touchdowns in 10 starts a season ago. The gunslinger ranked 12th nationally in passing yards per completion (13.98), 22nd in passing touchdowns (22), 26th in yards per pass attempt (7.79) and 29th in passing efficiency (137.4). Redshirt-sophomore Kyle Akin will serve as the primary backup.
MEET THE SKYHAWKS
“The fun part about this season is that our different units (offense, defense and special teams) are at a level of success,” said Simpson. “The fact that we have a fifth-year quarterback, a balanced offensive line, a veteran secondary and a seasoned kicker only adds to that fact. This team knows what it takes to win.”
COACHING STAFF
UT Martin will look to its crop of talented individuals throughout the roster to push the Skyhawks into the FCS Playoff conversation as many players have been recognized by preseason outlets as key players to watch heading into 2017. As a whole, 11 different players have earned preseason accolades by the OVC, STATS, Lindy’s Sports, College Sports Madness and HERO Sports including Bond, Jaimiee Bowe, Burleigh, Donald Cofield Jr., Cook, Este, Hagens, Lee, Martin, Murphy and Weathers. Highlighting the list were preseason AllAmerican recognitions for Burleigh, Hagens and Lee.
how important every conference game is. Our seniors are listening though. They understand the challenges we face on a weekly basis. We feel that their leadership and guidance on the field and in the locker room will translate to wins.”