MARTIN, Tenn. - A total of 10 University of Tennessee at Martin football players have been recognized as All-Ohio Valley Conference preseason selections, College Sports Madness has recently announced.
The Skyhawks placed Cody Sandlin and Montori Hughes on the preseason first team, while Derek Carr, Tevin Barksdale, Quentin Sims and Darrin Nalls earned second team accolades. Teammates Jason McNair, D.J. Roberts, Matt Axline and Tyler Eady wrapped up third team notoriety.
A senior place kicker from Goodlettsville, Sandlin was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference first team in 2011. He converted 14 out of 17 field goals - including a UT Martin school-record tying 53-yard field goal Nov. 19 against Eastern Kentucky. Sandlin averaged 7.91 points per game and ranked 27th nationally in scoring with 87 points.
As a newcomer to the OVC, Hughes played in all 11 games for the Skyhawks. The senior lineman recorded 30 total tackles - including 10 tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery in an Oct. 22 showdown with Eastern Illinois. The Murfreesboro native was named College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Defensive Lineman of the Week and OVC Defensive Player of the Week during the 2011 campaign.
Carr, a senior quarterback, is set to break several UT Martin career passing records in 2012. The McKenzie native passed for a school-record 25 touchdowns while totaling 2,482 yards. He passed for more than 300 yards in three games and 200 yards or more in five. Carr set a single-game passing record with six touchdowns Oct. 8 against Austin Peay while racking up 387 yards through the air. His accolades including being named CFPA National Quarterback of the Week twice, CFPA National Performer of the Week, Beyond Sports Network Offensive Player of the Week, College Sporting News All-Stars of the Week and OVC Player of the Week.
Bowling Green, Ky. native Tevin Barksdale scored a team-leading eight rushing touchdowns last year. He rushed 107 times for 703 yards - including a breakout performance against rival Murray State with 14 rushes for 118 yards and two touchdowns in the Sept. 22 showdown. The senior was also named OVC Running Back of the Week by College Football Performance Awards.
As a Georgia Tech transfer, Sims made an immediate impact for the Skyhawks, starting all 11 games and leading the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. The Cincinnati, Ohio native posted 10 touchdowns - including three at South Alabama on Oct. 15. Sims’ breakout game came against Tennessee State as he posted 144 yards on 11 catches and a touchdown. The senior ranked 46th in the nation with 4.9 receptions per game in 2011. He was also named to the All-OVC second team and OVC All-Newcomer team.
A senior defensive tackle out of Fayette, Ala., Nalls started nine games for the Skyhawks. He recorded 33 tackles, including eight tackles for loss with three sacks. He recorded a season-best six tackles against South Alabama on Oct. 15.
College Sports Madness has full FCS Football coverage. During the season, CollegeSportsMadness.com will feature a weekly Bracketology projection, Player of the Week honors on a national and conference basis, and rank incoming recruits. The website coverage includes draft profiles of the players likely to be drafted in next year’s NFL Draft and NFL mock drafts.