SKYHAWK FOOTBALL SPRING UPDATE: THAT’S A WRAP

Photo by: Phil Blakley

SKYHAWK FOOTBALL SPRING UPDATE: THAT’S A WRAP

4/19/2019 11:13:00 AM | Football

MARTIN, Tenn. – The final day of spring football for the University of Tennessee at Martin was very similar to the first as a chilly damp Good Friday morning brought the end to the 15-practice spring segment. What looked different was the execution and growth that spring ball provides.

With 15 practices spread dating back to March 25, the Skyhawks have begun to see glimpses of the team's ability. While the offseason strength and conditioning work will continue over the summer months ahead, today signaled the team's final time together as unit in a scrimmage atmosphere until early August.

"There has been a lot of individual growth in these past 15 days," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. "We have had better teams but I don't think we've seen as much individual growth as I have this year. Sometimes that doesn't always equal first downs or big plays, but as I see where some lineman came from three weeks ago to now, along with the wide receivers, quarterbacks and linebackers, those are the most goals that we accomplished."

"What we have to do now is be very honest with our players over the next week of where they are mentally and physically on being quality OVC players at their position," Simpson continued. "Once we get those evaluations down, we move come back in June and July in an eight-week cycle where we need to continue to get bigger, faster and strong. There is also an opportunity to grow mentally where how we finish spring, is how we will start fall camp. These are the guys that are going to play for us, now we just need to pick up where we left off on that first day of practice in August."

Spring Takeaways

Offense

The quarterback duo of Joe Hudson and John Bachus III have competed nice throughout the spring sharing the bulk of the team's snaps. With the 2018 opening day starter in Dresser Winn recovering from a season-ending injury, Hudson and Bachus will head into fall camp in competition for the starting spot.
Look for speedster Peyton Logan to take on a bigger role in the running game. Seeing time since his true freshman season, Logan looks to have the No. 1 running back spot coming out of spring. Look for Deashun Fields to be a player to watch in the fall as he returned nicely from a knee injury which kept him out of the 2018 season while former safety Lamarcus Young has moved into the running back core as well.
The Skyhawks return All-OVC playmaker Terry Williams at the slot position while Jaylon Moore, Rodney Williams, Donnell Williams and Colten Dowell are primed to see a lot of action at wide receiver. Redshirt-freshman Jeremy Horton and newcomer Marqwell Odom have also shown flashes throughout the spring to provide depth at the position.
UT Martin will look to a stock of tight ends to address the team's need. Returning starter Christian Philpott missed much of the spring with an injury while Chance Key, Collin Tatko, Davin Dyal and Christian LaBreche could all see work at the spot.
The offensive line lost just one starter from a year ago. Terry Fultz, James Walker and Jordon Harrod return to anchor the line while Austin Newsom and Chris Jackson have missed much of camp with an injury. A talent crop of redshirt freshman, return of injured Aries Davis along with transfers Cru Birdyshaw, Malcom Miller and Kordell Watts will fight for time.

Defense

The defensive line looks explosive. Austin Pickett returns at nose tackle while All-OVC second teamer Julian Crutchfield has missed the spring recovering from an offseason injury. Returners Korbin Harmon, Loren Young will fight for starting time at the other end position while Joseph Jones, Chase Joy and Kameron Bowdry all return after seeing action last season. The potential sleeper candidate could come in the form of Kenyonte Davis in a loaded front three.
The Skyhawks graduated each of last season's starting linebackers from opening day. Despite the loss, both TJ Jefferson and Malik Harris have starting experience while Sherrod Pittman looks fill out the trio. Look to David DuBose, Tyree Bryant, D'Carrious Stephens and John Ford to add to that group's makeup.
In the secondary, DaVonte Maura returns as the team's lone starting defensive back while Ole Miss transfer Cam Ordway is slotted to cover the other position. Returner David Little, redshirt-freshman Tamel McCall and newcomer Chrishun Jackson have taken the bulk of the back-up reps at the positons.
The safety group is another area of growth for the squad. Despite losing two starters out of the of the mix, the Skyhawks return Wanya Moton to the fold while adding JUCO transfers JaQuez Akins and Brian Adkins to a stock of breakout performers including Hamilton Hendricks, Takeem Young, Devan Hollins and Josh Dodd.

Special Teams

Ryan Courtright returns for his third season as the team's primary place kicker, backed up by Ryan Clark. Zane Cox is the incumbent at punter after a strong campaign while redshirt-freshman Joey Foley adds to the mix. Brock Powers returns for his second season after appearing in every game at long snapper as a true freshman with Chris McAbee serving as the alternate.