EIGHT SKYHAWKS FOOTBALL STANDOUTS GARNER POSTSEASON ALL-OVC HONORS
4/15/2021 10:30:00 AM | Football
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The 2020-21 All-Ohio Valley Conference football teams were released on Thursday as eight University of Tennessee at Martin players were voted among the league's elite by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.
UT Martin was represented on the All-OVC first team by junior wide receiver Colton Dowell, junior safety Deven Sims and graduate corner back Jay Woods. The Skyhawks also saw senior wide receiver Donnell Williams, senior tight end Rodney Williams II, junior offensive lineman Matthan Hatchie, senior nickel JaQuez Akins and freshman kicker Tyler Larco earn second team honors.
As a Preseason All-OVC pick, Dowell lived up to the hype this spring for the Skyhawks by leading the OVC with 40 receptions while ranking second in the league with 459 yards and four touchdowns on the campaign. The Lebanon, Tenn. native ranked 21st nationally in both receiving touchdowns and receiving yards. He tallied 11.5 yards per reception and 65.6 yards per game – which ranked third in the OVC. He tallied one 100-yard receiving performance in the season-finale with six catches for 105 yards and one touchdown against Tennessee Tech (Apr. 11). He also tallied a pair of touchdown receptions along with 59 yards against Southeast Missouri (Apr. 3).
2020-21 All-OVC Football Teams and Award Winners
OVC Offensive Player of the Year: DeAngelo Wilson (WR), Austin Peay
OVC Defensive Player of the Year: Nicario Harper (SAF), Jacksonville State
OVC Co-Freshman of the Year: Draylen Ellis (QB), Austin Peay
OVC Co-Freshman of the Year: Devon Starling (RB), Tennessee State
Roy Kidd OVC Coach of the Year: Dean Hood, Murray State
FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE
QB - Zion Webb, Jacksonville State
RB - Devon Starling, Tennessee State
RB - Geno Hess, Southeast Missouri
FB - Ben Johnson, Tennessee State
WR - DeAngelo Wilson, Austin Peay
WR - Colton Dowell, UT Martin
WR - LaMartez Brooks, Murray State
WR - Zack Smith, Southeast Missouri
TE - Trae Barry, Jacksonville State
OT - Tylan Grable, Jacksonville State
OG - Jaden Rosenthall, Southeast Missouri
OC - Levi Nesler, Murray State
OG - Cam Hill, Jacksonville State
OT - Bucky Williams, Austin Peay
OT - Cam Durley, Tennessee State
OT - Jacob Vance, Murray State
FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE
DE - DJ Coleman, Jacksonville State
DT - Davoan Hawkins, Tennessee State
DT - Bryson Donnell, Southeast Missouri
DE - Chris Tucker, Tennessee Tech
OLB - Jaylen Swain, Jacksonville State
ILB - Eric Samuta, Murray State
ILB - Jason Johnson, Eastern Illinois
ILB - Jack McDonald, Austin Peay
OLB - Scotty Humpich, Murray State
CB - Marcis Floyd, Murray State
SAF - Nicario Harper, Jacksonville State
SAF - Deven Sims, UT Martin
CB - Jay Woods, UT Martin
NICKEL - Kordell Jackson, Austin Peay
FIRST-TEAM SPECIALISTS
K - Antonio Zita, Tennessee State
P - Zach Haynes, Southeast Missouri
KR - Michael Pettway, Jacksonville State
PR - Malik Honeycutt, Murray State
SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE
QB - Preston Rice, Murray State
RB - Damonta Witherspoon, Murray State
RB - Josh Samuel, Jacksonville State
WR - Cam Wyche, Tennessee State
WR - Donnell Williams, UT Martin
WR - Jacob Bell, Murray State
WR - Ahmad Edwards, Jacksonville State
TE - Rodney Williams II, UT Martin
OC - Shyron Rodgers, Southeast Missouri
OC - Matthan Hatchie, UT Martin
OC - Zack Cangelosi, Jacksonville State
OG - Colby McKee, Austin Peay
OT - Robert Holmes, Austin Peay
OG - Mike Rhoades, Tennessee Tech
OG - Seth Johnson, Austin Peay
SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE
DE - Umstead Sanders, Jacksonville State
DT - Izaiah Reed, Murray State
DT - Lemuel Gordon, Jacksonville State
DE - Ethan Edmondson, Murray State
OLB - James Green, Tennessee State
ILB - Marshall Clark, Jacksonville State
ILB - Alec Long, Murray State
ILB - Markail Benton, Jacksonville State
OLB - Omardrick Douglas, Southeast Missouri
CB - Mark Williams, Eastern Illinois
SAF - Josh Green, Tennessee State
SAF - Josh Reliford, Tennessee Tech
CB - Jacquez Payton, Jacksonville State
NICKEL - JaQuez Akins, UT Martin
SECOND-TEAM SPECIALISTS
K - Tyler Larco, UT Martin
P - Kaleb Mosley, Tennessee State
KR - Matt Judd, Eastern Illinois
PR - Shabari Davis, Southeast Missouri
ALL-NEWCOMER TEAM
QB - Draylen Ellis, Austin Peay
RB - Brian Snead, Austin Peay
SAF - Nicario Harper, Jacksonville State
OLB - Jaylen Swain, Jacksonville State
RB - Josh Samuel, Jacksonville State
RB - Damonta Witherspoon, Murray State
DE - Ethan Edmondson, Murray State
DT - Davoan Hawkins, Tennessee State
RB - Devon Starling, Tennessee State
WR - Cam Wyche, Tennessee State
CB - Jyron Gilmore, Tennessee Tech
NOTE: The All-Newcomer team is comprised of first-year players in the OVC - that can be either true freshmen, redshirt freshmen or first-year transfers. The team consists of 11 total players and is not voted on by position.
NOTE: First and Second-Team Offensive Line was not voted on by specific position.
UT Martin was represented on the All-OVC first team by junior wide receiver Colton Dowell, junior safety Deven Sims and graduate corner back Jay Woods. The Skyhawks also saw senior wide receiver Donnell Williams, senior tight end Rodney Williams II, junior offensive lineman Matthan Hatchie, senior nickel JaQuez Akins and freshman kicker Tyler Larco earn second team honors.
As a Preseason All-OVC pick, Dowell lived up to the hype this spring for the Skyhawks by leading the OVC with 40 receptions while ranking second in the league with 459 yards and four touchdowns on the campaign. The Lebanon, Tenn. native ranked 21st nationally in both receiving touchdowns and receiving yards. He tallied 11.5 yards per reception and 65.6 yards per game – which ranked third in the OVC. He tallied one 100-yard receiving performance in the season-finale with six catches for 105 yards and one touchdown against Tennessee Tech (Apr. 11). He also tallied a pair of touchdown receptions along with 59 yards against Southeast Missouri (Apr. 3).
Sims posted a huge campaign in his first season as a full-time starter by leading the team with 60 total tackles – including 29 solo stops – while recording 5.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. His 60 tackles ranked fourth in the OVC while his 29 solo tackles ranked third. The Smyrna, Tenn. native also contributed in the secondary with four pass breakups which ranked in the top-10 in the league while adding a pair of quarterback hurries. He rounded out his stat-line with a forced fumble against Tennessee State. Arguably his best game came against No. 10 ranked Jacksonville State (March 14) when he tallied a career-high 12 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.FB: Congratulations to @UTM_FOOTBALL junior wide receiver Colton Dowell on being named to the All-OVC first team!
— UT Martin Athletics (@UTMSports) April 15, 2021
🏈 40 catches (1st OVC)
🏈 459 yards (2nd OVC)
🏈 4 TDs (2nd OVC) pic.twitter.com/XTWUQRFmvH
Woods had an immediate impact for the Skyhawks in his debut season by slotting right into the starting cornerback role where he started all seven games. The South Alabama graduate transfer tallied 23 tackles on the season and 2.0 tackles for loss while recovering a fumble and recording a quarterback hurry. Where he left his mark was in the secondary as one of the league's top pass defenders, leading the OVC in pass breakups with nine. The Pinson, Ala. native tallied a season-high four tackles in the season-opener against Murray State (Feb. 28) while recording four pass breakups in the comeback win at Austin Peay (March 21).FB: Congratulations to @UTM_FOOTBALL junior safety Deven Sims on being named to the All-OVC first team!
— UT Martin Athletics (@UTMSports) April 15, 2021
🏈 60 tackles (4th OVC)
🏈 5.0 TFL
🏈 4 PBUs (10th OVC) pic.twitter.com/OVQsxRhGmR
Donnell Williams posted a breakout campaign for the Skyhawks this season en route to his first All-OVC honor. The St. Louis, Mo. native tallied 29 receptions for 445 yards and three touchdowns. His 15.3 yards per catch ranked first in the OVC while ranking amongst league leaders in several categories including receiving yards per game (74.2, second), yards (third), touchdowns (fifth) and receptions (seventh). He tallied a pair of 100-yard receiving games against No. 10 Jacksonville State (March 14) and Southeast Missouri (Apr. 3) while tallying touchdown grabs against Eastern Illinois (March 7), Austin Peay (March 21) and Tennessee State (March 28).FB: Congratulations to @UTM_FOOTBALL graduate cornerback Jay Woods on being named to the All-OVC first team!
— UT Martin Athletics (@UTMSports) April 15, 2021
🏈 23 tackles
🏈 9 pass breakups (1st OVC)
🏈 2.0 TFL pic.twitter.com/gNnZcHgQxZ
Rodney Williams II seamlessly transitioned from wide receiver to tight end this season and was rewarded by earning his first All-OVC selection after a standout campaign. The senior tallied 30 receptions for 327 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 4.3 receptions per game and 10.9 yards per reception. The Memphis, Tenn. native ranked first amongst tight ends in all offensive categories while sitting amongst the OVC leaders in receptions (fifth), receiving yards (seventh), touchdowns (fifth) and receptions per game (sixth). His best game came against Eastern Illinois (March 7) where he posted career-highs with eight receptions for 95 yards and two touchdowns.FB: Congratulations to @UTM_FOOTBALL senior wide receiver Donnell Williams on being named to the All-OVC second team!
— UT Martin Athletics (@UTMSports) April 15, 2021
🏈 29 catches (7th OVC)
🏈 445 yards (4th OVC)
🏈 3 touchdowns (5th OVC) pic.twitter.com/2ldxECItd7
Hatchie made an immediate impact for the Skyhawks on the offensive line by playing and starting in all seven games at either center or guard in the spring. Hailing from Haleiwa, Hawaii, Hatchie did not miss a single offensive snap this season and graded out at 84 percent or better every contest. The versatile lineman played multiple positions and tallied 60 knockdowns up front.FB: Congratulations to @UTM_FOOTBALL senior tight end Rodney Williams II on being named to the All-OVC second team!
— UT Martin Athletics (@UTMSports) April 15, 2021
🏈 30 catches (5th OVC)
🏈 327 yards (7th OVC)
🏈 4 touchdowns (2nd OVC) pic.twitter.com/PBQPCnTwBD
A Starkville, Miss. native, Akins earned his second straight All-OVC honor after ranking third on the team with 38 combined tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss. He also tallied four pass breakups and a quarterback hurry. The hard-hitting safety ranked second in the OVC with two forced fumbles while his two fumble recoveries rank first nationally. He tallied a season-high nine tackles and a fumble recovery against Southeast Missouri (Apr. 3) while notching two tackles for loss and another fumble recovery against Murray State (Feb. 28).FB: Congratulations to @UTM_FOOTBALL junior offensive lineman Matthan Hatchie on being named to the All-OVC second team!
— UT Martin Athletics (@UTMSports) April 15, 2021
🏈 7 starts
🏈 84% grade
🏈 60 knockdowns pic.twitter.com/RiSPMU1SJx
Larco took over the reigns of the kicking duties as a redshirt-freshman and was nearly automatic en route postseason honors. A two-time OVC Specialist of the Week, Larco made 10-of-12 field goal attempts on the year – including a season-long 47-yard attempt. He also converted 17-of-18 point after attempts for a total of 47 points on the season to lead the team. The Miami, Fla. native led the OVC by making 83.3 percent of his field goal attempts while sitting amongst league leaders in kick scoring (second), field goals made per game (second) and PAT kicking percentage (third). His most notable contest came against Austin Peay (March 21) when he made 3-of-3 field goal attempts – including a game-winning 46-yard field goal as time expired – to earn STATS Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week honors.FB: Congratulations to @UTM_FOOTBALL senior nickel JaQuez Akins on being named to the All-OVC second team!
— UT Martin Athletics (@UTMSports) April 15, 2021
🏈 38 tackles
🏈 4 PBUs
🏈 2 FFs (2nd OVC)
🏈 2 FRs (1st OVC) pic.twitter.com/rl1cGv0zXO
FB: Congratulations to @UTM_FOOTBALL freshman kicker Tyler Larco on being named to the All-OVC second team!
— UT Martin Athletics (@UTMSports) April 15, 2021
🏈 10-of-12 FGs
🏈 47-yard long
🏈 17-of-18 PATs
🏈 47 points pic.twitter.com/dtKh4yyxKY
2020-21 All-OVC Football Teams and Award Winners
OVC Offensive Player of the Year: DeAngelo Wilson (WR), Austin Peay
OVC Defensive Player of the Year: Nicario Harper (SAF), Jacksonville State
OVC Co-Freshman of the Year: Draylen Ellis (QB), Austin Peay
OVC Co-Freshman of the Year: Devon Starling (RB), Tennessee State
Roy Kidd OVC Coach of the Year: Dean Hood, Murray State
FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE
QB - Zion Webb, Jacksonville State
RB - Devon Starling, Tennessee State
RB - Geno Hess, Southeast Missouri
FB - Ben Johnson, Tennessee State
WR - DeAngelo Wilson, Austin Peay
WR - Colton Dowell, UT Martin
WR - LaMartez Brooks, Murray State
WR - Zack Smith, Southeast Missouri
TE - Trae Barry, Jacksonville State
OT - Tylan Grable, Jacksonville State
OG - Jaden Rosenthall, Southeast Missouri
OC - Levi Nesler, Murray State
OG - Cam Hill, Jacksonville State
OT - Bucky Williams, Austin Peay
OT - Cam Durley, Tennessee State
OT - Jacob Vance, Murray State
FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE
DE - DJ Coleman, Jacksonville State
DT - Davoan Hawkins, Tennessee State
DT - Bryson Donnell, Southeast Missouri
DE - Chris Tucker, Tennessee Tech
OLB - Jaylen Swain, Jacksonville State
ILB - Eric Samuta, Murray State
ILB - Jason Johnson, Eastern Illinois
ILB - Jack McDonald, Austin Peay
OLB - Scotty Humpich, Murray State
CB - Marcis Floyd, Murray State
SAF - Nicario Harper, Jacksonville State
SAF - Deven Sims, UT Martin
CB - Jay Woods, UT Martin
NICKEL - Kordell Jackson, Austin Peay
FIRST-TEAM SPECIALISTS
K - Antonio Zita, Tennessee State
P - Zach Haynes, Southeast Missouri
KR - Michael Pettway, Jacksonville State
PR - Malik Honeycutt, Murray State
SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE
QB - Preston Rice, Murray State
RB - Damonta Witherspoon, Murray State
RB - Josh Samuel, Jacksonville State
WR - Cam Wyche, Tennessee State
WR - Donnell Williams, UT Martin
WR - Jacob Bell, Murray State
WR - Ahmad Edwards, Jacksonville State
TE - Rodney Williams II, UT Martin
OC - Shyron Rodgers, Southeast Missouri
OC - Matthan Hatchie, UT Martin
OC - Zack Cangelosi, Jacksonville State
OG - Colby McKee, Austin Peay
OT - Robert Holmes, Austin Peay
OG - Mike Rhoades, Tennessee Tech
OG - Seth Johnson, Austin Peay
SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE
DE - Umstead Sanders, Jacksonville State
DT - Izaiah Reed, Murray State
DT - Lemuel Gordon, Jacksonville State
DE - Ethan Edmondson, Murray State
OLB - James Green, Tennessee State
ILB - Marshall Clark, Jacksonville State
ILB - Alec Long, Murray State
ILB - Markail Benton, Jacksonville State
OLB - Omardrick Douglas, Southeast Missouri
CB - Mark Williams, Eastern Illinois
SAF - Josh Green, Tennessee State
SAF - Josh Reliford, Tennessee Tech
CB - Jacquez Payton, Jacksonville State
NICKEL - JaQuez Akins, UT Martin
SECOND-TEAM SPECIALISTS
K - Tyler Larco, UT Martin
P - Kaleb Mosley, Tennessee State
KR - Matt Judd, Eastern Illinois
PR - Shabari Davis, Southeast Missouri
ALL-NEWCOMER TEAM
QB - Draylen Ellis, Austin Peay
RB - Brian Snead, Austin Peay
SAF - Nicario Harper, Jacksonville State
OLB - Jaylen Swain, Jacksonville State
RB - Josh Samuel, Jacksonville State
RB - Damonta Witherspoon, Murray State
DE - Ethan Edmondson, Murray State
DT - Davoan Hawkins, Tennessee State
RB - Devon Starling, Tennessee State
WR - Cam Wyche, Tennessee State
CB - Jyron Gilmore, Tennessee Tech
NOTE: The All-Newcomer team is comprised of first-year players in the OVC - that can be either true freshmen, redshirt freshmen or first-year transfers. The team consists of 11 total players and is not voted on by position.
NOTE: First and Second-Team Offensive Line was not voted on by specific position.
Players Mentioned
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