Hayden King Named First Team All-American By Stats Perform
7/13/2026 9:54:00 AM | Football
MARTIN, Tenn. – Rising University of Tennessee at Martin long snapper Hayden King garnered the first preseason honor of the 2026 campaign after earning a first team spot on the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team.
An All-OVC-Big South first team selection a season ago, King returns for his second season as the anchor of the special teams unit, serving as the team's long snapper and short snapper. Named as the best long snapper in the country, he joins a list of three players from the Ohio Valley Conference named to one of the three teams including 101 players nationally.
The Charlotte, Tenn. native started all 12 games as the team's primary long snapper and short snapper for a squad which led the country with zero allowed blocked kicks or punts. His specialists converted 95.4 percent of their kick attempts, including 15-of-17 field goal attempts and 27-of-27 PATs. Meanwhile, his punting unit averaged 41.1 yards per punt while adding two tackles on coverage.
UT Martin opens the season on Thursday, Aug. 27 when hosting United Athletic Conference foe Central Arkansas. Fans can purchase their season tickets for a loaded five-game home slate at www.utmsports.com/tickets.
An All-OVC-Big South first team selection a season ago, King returns for his second season as the anchor of the special teams unit, serving as the team's long snapper and short snapper. Named as the best long snapper in the country, he joins a list of three players from the Ohio Valley Conference named to one of the three teams including 101 players nationally.
The Charlotte, Tenn. native started all 12 games as the team's primary long snapper and short snapper for a squad which led the country with zero allowed blocked kicks or punts. His specialists converted 95.4 percent of their kick attempts, including 15-of-17 field goal attempts and 27-of-27 PATs. Meanwhile, his punting unit averaged 41.1 yards per punt while adding two tackles on coverage.
UT Martin opens the season on Thursday, Aug. 27 when hosting United Athletic Conference foe Central Arkansas. Fans can purchase their season tickets for a loaded five-game home slate at www.utmsports.com/tickets.
Players Mentioned
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