By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
MARTIN, Tenn. – Four players for the University of Tennessee at Martin football team have earned preseason notoriety by being ranked amongst the Football Championship Subdivision’s (FCS) best returning players –by position group – according to HERO Sports.
For the Skyhawks, tight end DJ Nelson was ranked as the 10th best returning tight end while reigning OVC Freshman of the Year Sam Franklin ranked as the 20th best returning running back in 2023. On the defensive side, All-American Daylan Dotson ranked 13th amongst returning defensive linemen while safety Oshae Baker sat 25th amongst his position group.
Baker enters his third season as a starter for the Skyhawks in the secondary, working at both cornerback and safety throughout his career. Anchoring a secondary which has won back-to-back OVC championships, Baker compiled 56 total tackles along with 5.0 tackles for loss last season. The Sanford, Fla. native also tallied eight pass breakups and one interception which he returned 41 yards for a touchdown against Lindenwood. Also contributing on special teams, he led the OVC in punt return average with 7.3 yards per return while his nine pass breakups on defense ranked fourth in the league.
Dotson is coming off an All-American campaign in 2022 while also earning All-OVC first team honors. The Savannah, Ga. native started in all 11 games for the Skyhawks and led the OVC with 14.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in a breakout season. He finished the year with 48 total tackles, including a career-best 14-tackle performance against Kennesaw State while also adding 2.5 tackles for loss in the contest. He also ranked amongst national leaders in forced fumbles (first), sacks (ninth), fumbles recovered (14th) and tackles for loss (20th).
Franklin returns for his sophomore campaign after being named OVC Freshman of the Year and finishing as a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award – given to the FCS top freshman performer. Poised to be the team’s starting running back, Franklin earned Freshman All-American honors after tallying 84 carries for 676 yards and eight touchdowns as the secondary threat. The Little Rock, Ark. native averaged 8.0 yards per carry and eclipsed 100 yards rushing in two contests. Arguably his most notable game came against Lindenwood when he rushed for a season-high three touchdowns.
Nelson looks to build upon a freshman campaign in which he was named a Freshman All-American while also garnering All-OVC first team honors. The York, Ala. native played in all 11 games for the Skyhawks while pacing all OVC tight ends with 267 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 21 receptions. He posted a season-best 95 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Tennessee Tech while also hauling in touchdown receptions against Missouri State, Lindenwood, Houston Christian and Kennesaw State.
UT Martin opens the season on Saturday, Sept. 2 against two-time defending FBS national champion Georgia.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information