OVC Football Media Day Presented By Shaw Sports Turf
7/17/2026 3:00:00 PM | Football
ESPN+ Broadcast Archive
The 2026 OVC Football Media Day presented by Shaw Sports Turf was held on Friday, July 17 in Nashville, Tennessee live from the Hilton BNA Nashville Airport Terminal.
Representing UT Martin at OVC Football Media Day was head coach Jason Simpson, running back Tommy Ansley and defensive lineman Broderick Tommie, Jr. All three members of the Skyhawks participated in social media content gathering sessions, a live ESPN+ interview, photo shoot and media availability.Â
Prior to the event, UT Martin was picked to finish first in the league's annual predicted order of finish with six of the eight first-place votes while topping the poll with 47 points. The Skyhawks have won or shared four of the past five OVC Championships (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) and have won FCS Playoff games in each 2021 and 2024. UTM begins its 21st season under Simpson.
The Skyhawks were also represented with 12 players which were named to the OVC Preseason Players to Watch squads.
OVC Preseason Players to Watch
Tommy Ansley | Running Back
Phaizon Wilson | Wide Receiver
Kaleb Costner | Tight End
Travis Gray | Offensive Line
Chris Franklin | All-Purpose
Brandon Sims | Place Kicker
Broderick Tommie, Jr. | Defensive Line
Jamarcus Smith | Linebacker
Trey Cotton | Defensive Back
Max Zuluaga | Punter
Deuce Oliver | Punt Return Specialist
Hayden King | Long Snapper
Media Interviews
About the Ohio Valley Conference
In June it was announced that football was returning to traditional OVC branding beginning with the 2026 season. Schools who will play OVC football in 2026 are Charleston Southern University (Charleston, SC), Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, IL), Gardner-Webb University (Boiling Springs, NC), Lindenwood University (St. Charles, MO), Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau, MO), Tennessee State University (Nashville, TN), University of Tennessee at Martin (Martin, TN) and Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL).
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The 2026 OVC Football Media Day presented by Shaw Sports Turf was held on Friday, July 17 in Nashville, Tennessee live from the Hilton BNA Nashville Airport Terminal.
Representing UT Martin at OVC Football Media Day was head coach Jason Simpson, running back Tommy Ansley and defensive lineman Broderick Tommie, Jr. All three members of the Skyhawks participated in social media content gathering sessions, a live ESPN+ interview, photo shoot and media availability.Â
Prior to the event, UT Martin was picked to finish first in the league's annual predicted order of finish with six of the eight first-place votes while topping the poll with 47 points. The Skyhawks have won or shared four of the past five OVC Championships (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) and have won FCS Playoff games in each 2021 and 2024. UTM begins its 21st season under Simpson.
The Skyhawks were also represented with 12 players which were named to the OVC Preseason Players to Watch squads.
OVC Preseason Players to Watch
Tommy Ansley | Running Back
Phaizon Wilson | Wide Receiver
Kaleb Costner | Tight End
Travis Gray | Offensive Line
Chris Franklin | All-Purpose
Brandon Sims | Place Kicker
Broderick Tommie, Jr. | Defensive Line
Jamarcus Smith | Linebacker
Trey Cotton | Defensive Back
Max Zuluaga | Punter
Deuce Oliver | Punt Return Specialist
Hayden King | Long Snapper
Media Interviews
About the Ohio Valley Conference
In June it was announced that football was returning to traditional OVC branding beginning with the 2026 season. Schools who will play OVC football in 2026 are Charleston Southern University (Charleston, SC), Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, IL), Gardner-Webb University (Boiling Springs, NC), Lindenwood University (St. Charles, MO), Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau, MO), Tennessee State University (Nashville, TN), University of Tennessee at Martin (Martin, TN) and Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL).
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Players Mentioned
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