SIX SKYHAWKS NAMED TO PHIL STEELE PRESEASON ALL-OVC TEAMS
8/10/2018 3:48:00 PM | Football
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Six University of Tennessee at Martin football standouts were recognized as Phil Steele Preseason All-OVC selections as announced by the publication on Friday.
The senior duo of running back LaDarius Galloway and linebacker James Gilleylen were tabbed to the first team while junior wide receiver Jaylon Moore, senior linebacker Kevin Prather, Jr. and sophomore specialist Peyton Logan earned second team honors. Senior linebacker Garrett Wall wrapped up preseason accolades with a spot on the third team.
A native of Indianola, Miss., Galloway exploded onto the scene for the Skyhawks in his first season to earn two OVC Offensive Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week honors each. Ranking amongst the nation's leading rushers for much of the season, Galloway tallied 172 carries for 859 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He also notched 22 receptions for 307 yards. His best game came against Ole Miss when he tallied 188 rushing yards and a touchdown. His 859 rushing yards ranks as the program's 10th best individual season rushing performance. He finished the season ranked third in the OVC in rushing yards and rushing yards per game (78.1) while sitting fifth in all-purpose yards (106.0 ypg).
Hailing from Tupelo, Miss., Gilleylen proved to be a force at the center of the linebacker core. Gilleylen posted a team-high 88 total tackles – including 32 solos and 56 assists. He recorded nine tackles for loss totaling 24 yards while tallying a pair of sacks. In addition to his tackling prowess, he notched five quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one interception. Gilleylen finished the season ranked in the OVC in forced fumbles (second), fumbles recovered (third), tackles (fifth) and tackles for loss (15th).
A native of Memphis, Tenn., Moore took the next step in his progression as a sophomore, earning seven starts while tallying 18 receptions for 297 yards and tied for the team-lead with four touchdown receptions. He averaged 16.5 yards per catch and notched a season-long 67-yard touchdown reception at Eastern Kentucky. While tallying touchdowns against Clarion, No. 15 Chattanooga, Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Illinois last season, he brought his career total to five.
Hailing from Murfreesboro, Tenn., Prather has been a force for the Skyhawks throughout his career, starting every game. The linebacker compiled 77 total tackles, including 35 solos and 42 assists while notching 10.0 tackles for loss totaling 32 yards. He proved explosive, tallying three double-figure tackle performances against Clarion, No. 20 Tennessee State and Eastern Kentucky. Constantly in the backfield, he tallied eight quarterback hurries while notching three pass breakups.
A native of Horn Lake, Miss., Logan proved to be explosive in his true freshman season for the Skyhawks. The running back made moves on special teams, earning postseason honors after notching 22 kickoff returns for 593 yards and one touchdown. His best game came against Eastern Kentucky when he broke loose on a kickoff return for a 95-yard touchdown – ranked as the eighth longest return in program history – to earn OVC Specialist of the Week honors. Logan ranked fifth nationally with his lone kickoff return for a touchdown while his 27.0 yards per return ranked ninth nationally.
Hailing from Fairview, Tenn., Wall slotted into the starting role at linebacker a year ago and finished amongst team leaders in total tackles and tackles for loss. He compiled 66 total tackles while notching 8.5 tackles for loss totaling 36 yards. He notched a pair of sacks on the season while recording a season-high 10 tackles at Austin Peay. Coming from the outside positon, he tallied one fumble recovery while tallying a pair of quarterback hurries.
The Skyhawks begin their 13th season under the direction of head coach Jason Simpson who has won a total of 78 games in his tenure, ranking as the seventh most victories in OVC history. Simpson leads a Skyhawk squad which finished last season in fourth place at 4-4 in the OVC and 6-5 overall.
UT Martin will open the season on Saturday, Sept. 1 against Southeastern Conference foe Missouri. Fans will get the first look at the Skyhawks with the home opener scheduled for Sept. 15 against Chattanooga for Family Weekend. The Skyhawks will also play host to Ohio Valley Conference rivals Austin Peay (Sept. 22), Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 13), Southeast Missouri (Oct. 27) and Tennessee Tech (Nov. 10). The program's annual Homecoming contest is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27 against Southeast Missouri.
Season ticket packages and single-game ticket sales for Skyhawk football are now available. For more information or to purchase your tickets today, visit ticket manager Fran Spears at the Skyhawk Ticket Office, located in Room 1091 in the Skyhawk Fieldhouse, call (731) 881-7207 or purchase online here.
The senior duo of running back LaDarius Galloway and linebacker James Gilleylen were tabbed to the first team while junior wide receiver Jaylon Moore, senior linebacker Kevin Prather, Jr. and sophomore specialist Peyton Logan earned second team honors. Senior linebacker Garrett Wall wrapped up preseason accolades with a spot on the third team.
A native of Indianola, Miss., Galloway exploded onto the scene for the Skyhawks in his first season to earn two OVC Offensive Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week honors each. Ranking amongst the nation's leading rushers for much of the season, Galloway tallied 172 carries for 859 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He also notched 22 receptions for 307 yards. His best game came against Ole Miss when he tallied 188 rushing yards and a touchdown. His 859 rushing yards ranks as the program's 10th best individual season rushing performance. He finished the season ranked third in the OVC in rushing yards and rushing yards per game (78.1) while sitting fifth in all-purpose yards (106.0 ypg).
Congrats to @UTM_FOOTBALL senior running back LaDarius Galloway on being named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-OVC first team! pic.twitter.com/NCTY1dQNut
— UT Martin Athletics (@UTMSports) August 10, 2018
Hailing from Tupelo, Miss., Gilleylen proved to be a force at the center of the linebacker core. Gilleylen posted a team-high 88 total tackles – including 32 solos and 56 assists. He recorded nine tackles for loss totaling 24 yards while tallying a pair of sacks. In addition to his tackling prowess, he notched five quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one interception. Gilleylen finished the season ranked in the OVC in forced fumbles (second), fumbles recovered (third), tackles (fifth) and tackles for loss (15th).
Congrats to @UTM_FOOTBALL senior linebacker James Gilleylen on being named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-OVC first team! pic.twitter.com/2PFlYHCCZI
— UT Martin Athletics (@UTMSports) August 10, 2018
A native of Memphis, Tenn., Moore took the next step in his progression as a sophomore, earning seven starts while tallying 18 receptions for 297 yards and tied for the team-lead with four touchdown receptions. He averaged 16.5 yards per catch and notched a season-long 67-yard touchdown reception at Eastern Kentucky. While tallying touchdowns against Clarion, No. 15 Chattanooga, Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Illinois last season, he brought his career total to five.
Congrats to @UTM_FOOTBALL junior wide receiver Jaylon Moore on being named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-OVC second team! pic.twitter.com/61tSIepCIr
— UT Martin Athletics (@UTMSports) August 10, 2018
Hailing from Murfreesboro, Tenn., Prather has been a force for the Skyhawks throughout his career, starting every game. The linebacker compiled 77 total tackles, including 35 solos and 42 assists while notching 10.0 tackles for loss totaling 32 yards. He proved explosive, tallying three double-figure tackle performances against Clarion, No. 20 Tennessee State and Eastern Kentucky. Constantly in the backfield, he tallied eight quarterback hurries while notching three pass breakups.
Congrats to @UTM_FOOTBALL senior linebacker Kevin Prather Jr. on being named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-OVC second team! pic.twitter.com/ExQPb8I1uR
— UT Martin Athletics (@UTMSports) August 10, 2018
A native of Horn Lake, Miss., Logan proved to be explosive in his true freshman season for the Skyhawks. The running back made moves on special teams, earning postseason honors after notching 22 kickoff returns for 593 yards and one touchdown. His best game came against Eastern Kentucky when he broke loose on a kickoff return for a 95-yard touchdown – ranked as the eighth longest return in program history – to earn OVC Specialist of the Week honors. Logan ranked fifth nationally with his lone kickoff return for a touchdown while his 27.0 yards per return ranked ninth nationally.
Congrats to @UTM_FOOTBALL sophomore specialist/running back Peyton Logan on being named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-OVC second team! pic.twitter.com/1wqcMXKTfo
— UT Martin Athletics (@UTMSports) August 10, 2018
Hailing from Fairview, Tenn., Wall slotted into the starting role at linebacker a year ago and finished amongst team leaders in total tackles and tackles for loss. He compiled 66 total tackles while notching 8.5 tackles for loss totaling 36 yards. He notched a pair of sacks on the season while recording a season-high 10 tackles at Austin Peay. Coming from the outside positon, he tallied one fumble recovery while tallying a pair of quarterback hurries.
Congrats to @UTM_FOOTBALL senior linebacker Garrett Wall on being named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-OVC third team! pic.twitter.com/51iJcD3K0K
— UT Martin Athletics (@UTMSports) August 10, 2018
The Skyhawks begin their 13th season under the direction of head coach Jason Simpson who has won a total of 78 games in his tenure, ranking as the seventh most victories in OVC history. Simpson leads a Skyhawk squad which finished last season in fourth place at 4-4 in the OVC and 6-5 overall.
UT Martin will open the season on Saturday, Sept. 1 against Southeastern Conference foe Missouri. Fans will get the first look at the Skyhawks with the home opener scheduled for Sept. 15 against Chattanooga for Family Weekend. The Skyhawks will also play host to Ohio Valley Conference rivals Austin Peay (Sept. 22), Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 13), Southeast Missouri (Oct. 27) and Tennessee Tech (Nov. 10). The program's annual Homecoming contest is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27 against Southeast Missouri.
Season ticket packages and single-game ticket sales for Skyhawk football are now available. For more information or to purchase your tickets today, visit ticket manager Fran Spears at the Skyhawk Ticket Office, located in Room 1091 in the Skyhawk Fieldhouse, call (731) 881-7207 or purchase online here.
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