McGoy Named OVC-Big South Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
7/16/2025 10:00:00 AM | Football
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Standout University of Tennessee at Martin defensive back JaMichael McGoy, Jr. has been tabbed as the OVC-Big South Football Association's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year leading into the 2025 season.
A native of Chattanooga, Tenn., McGoy has steadily become one of the Association's top defensive standouts since joining the Skyhawks prior to the 2021 campaign. Since joining the program, the defensive back has helped lead the program to four consecutive conference titles while earning back-to-back all-conference honors in 2023 and 2024.
After recently being named an All-American, McGoy enters the 2025 campaign hot off earning all-conference first team honors as a junior. The 5-10 cornerback led the OVC-Big South with 18 pass breakups while ranking second with three interceptions. Along with leading the Association, he ranked third nationally with 1.5 pass breakups per game while adding 43 total tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss to his stat line.
This marks the third time that a Skyhawk has been tabbed as a Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in the program's Division I history, joining former standouts Josh Bey (2010) and John H. Ford II (2022).
UT Martin opens the season on Thursday, Aug. 28 when traveling to Big 12 foe Oklahoma State. Fans can purchase their season tickets for a loaded five-game home slate at www.utmsports.com/tickets.
A native of Chattanooga, Tenn., McGoy has steadily become one of the Association's top defensive standouts since joining the Skyhawks prior to the 2021 campaign. Since joining the program, the defensive back has helped lead the program to four consecutive conference titles while earning back-to-back all-conference honors in 2023 and 2024.
After recently being named an All-American, McGoy enters the 2025 campaign hot off earning all-conference first team honors as a junior. The 5-10 cornerback led the OVC-Big South with 18 pass breakups while ranking second with three interceptions. Along with leading the Association, he ranked third nationally with 1.5 pass breakups per game while adding 43 total tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss to his stat line.
This marks the third time that a Skyhawk has been tabbed as a Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in the program's Division I history, joining former standouts Josh Bey (2010) and John H. Ford II (2022).
UT Martin opens the season on Thursday, Aug. 28 when traveling to Big 12 foe Oklahoma State. Fans can purchase their season tickets for a loaded five-game home slate at www.utmsports.com/tickets.
Players Mentioned
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