Skyhawks Earn Preseason Honors From Phil Steele
8/3/2026 10:55:00 AM | Football
MARTIN, Tenn. – The preseason honors continue to roll in for the University of Tennessee at Martin football program as eight athletes were named to Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference squads while long snapper Hayden King was tabbed as a first team All-American according to the publication.
Along with earning his second All-American honor of the season, King was tabbed to the All-Conference first team as a specialist. Earning a second team selection was wide receiver Phaizon Wilson, punter Max Zuluaga and offensive tackle Travis Gray. Claiming third team honors were linebacker Jamarcus Smith, safety Trey Cotton, punt return specialist Deuce Oliver and all-purpose performer Chris Franklin.
King earned all-conference first team honors in 2025 after playing and starting in all 12 games for the Skyhawks – serving as both the team's long and short snapper on all special teams units. His performance led the country with zero blocked kicks or punts allowed while his specialists converted 95.4 percent of their kick attempts, including 15-of-17 field goal attempts and 27-of-27 point after attempts. His punting unit averaged 41.1 yards per punt while he added two tackles in coverage.
Wilson played in all 12 games for the Skyhawks while earning the starting nod in 11 contests at wide receiver. He tallied 37 receptions for 450 yards while adding one touchdown reception. He averaged 12.9 yards per catch and set season highs in receptions with seven against UTEP and Charleston Southern. He hauled in a touchdown against UTEP while posting a season-best 120 receiving yard against Charleston Southern.
Zuluaga joins the Skyhawks after spending last season at Trinity Valley Community College where he was named to the NJCAA D1 All-America first team. He tallied 36 punts for 1,616 yards while averaging 44.9 yards per punt. He booted a season-long 64-yard punt against Independence Community College while pinning 11 punt attempts inside the 20-yard line.
Gray is projected to anchor the offensive line at left tackle this season after spending three seasons at New Mexico. With a previous stop at Colorado in his past, brings size and athleticism to the left side of the offensive line unit which has produced numerous all-conference performers over the past five seasons.
Smith joins the Skyhawks after spending three seasons at Illinois State which finished as the FCS national runner-up in 2025. Seeing action in 30 games over the past three seasons, he tallied 22 tackles – including half a tackle for loss – last season while adding two quarterback hurries and fumble recovery.
Cotton made an immediate impact for the Skyhawks as a true freshman last season by seeing action in all 12 games. While cutting his chops on special teams, played meaningful snaps in the secondary during the conference season. He finished with five total tackles while blocking an explosive punt through the endzone for a safety against Tennessee State.
Oliver played in all 12 games for the Skyhawks at wide receiver and on special teams. Serving as the team's primary punt returner he tallied 22 returns for 158 yards. He averaged 7.2 yards per punt with a long of 20 yards against UTEP and Southern Illinois.
Franklin has proven to be a versatile offensive threat for the Skyhawks after playing in all 12 games last season at running back. He tallied 89 carries for 450 yards while rushing for three touchdowns. He set career-highs in carries (18), yards (111) and touchdowns (one) against Tennessee State. He also tallied 16 receptions for 96 yards, averaging 6.0 yards per catch.
Season ticket packages for Skyhawk football are now on sale at www.utmsports.com/tickets. For questions about renewing current season tickets contact the Skyhawk Ticket Office at 731-881-7207.
Along with earning his second All-American honor of the season, King was tabbed to the All-Conference first team as a specialist. Earning a second team selection was wide receiver Phaizon Wilson, punter Max Zuluaga and offensive tackle Travis Gray. Claiming third team honors were linebacker Jamarcus Smith, safety Trey Cotton, punt return specialist Deuce Oliver and all-purpose performer Chris Franklin.
King earned all-conference first team honors in 2025 after playing and starting in all 12 games for the Skyhawks – serving as both the team's long and short snapper on all special teams units. His performance led the country with zero blocked kicks or punts allowed while his specialists converted 95.4 percent of their kick attempts, including 15-of-17 field goal attempts and 27-of-27 point after attempts. His punting unit averaged 41.1 yards per punt while he added two tackles in coverage.
Wilson played in all 12 games for the Skyhawks while earning the starting nod in 11 contests at wide receiver. He tallied 37 receptions for 450 yards while adding one touchdown reception. He averaged 12.9 yards per catch and set season highs in receptions with seven against UTEP and Charleston Southern. He hauled in a touchdown against UTEP while posting a season-best 120 receiving yard against Charleston Southern.
Zuluaga joins the Skyhawks after spending last season at Trinity Valley Community College where he was named to the NJCAA D1 All-America first team. He tallied 36 punts for 1,616 yards while averaging 44.9 yards per punt. He booted a season-long 64-yard punt against Independence Community College while pinning 11 punt attempts inside the 20-yard line.
Gray is projected to anchor the offensive line at left tackle this season after spending three seasons at New Mexico. With a previous stop at Colorado in his past, brings size and athleticism to the left side of the offensive line unit which has produced numerous all-conference performers over the past five seasons.
Smith joins the Skyhawks after spending three seasons at Illinois State which finished as the FCS national runner-up in 2025. Seeing action in 30 games over the past three seasons, he tallied 22 tackles – including half a tackle for loss – last season while adding two quarterback hurries and fumble recovery.
Cotton made an immediate impact for the Skyhawks as a true freshman last season by seeing action in all 12 games. While cutting his chops on special teams, played meaningful snaps in the secondary during the conference season. He finished with five total tackles while blocking an explosive punt through the endzone for a safety against Tennessee State.
Oliver played in all 12 games for the Skyhawks at wide receiver and on special teams. Serving as the team's primary punt returner he tallied 22 returns for 158 yards. He averaged 7.2 yards per punt with a long of 20 yards against UTEP and Southern Illinois.
Franklin has proven to be a versatile offensive threat for the Skyhawks after playing in all 12 games last season at running back. He tallied 89 carries for 450 yards while rushing for three touchdowns. He set career-highs in carries (18), yards (111) and touchdowns (one) against Tennessee State. He also tallied 16 receptions for 96 yards, averaging 6.0 yards per catch.
Season ticket packages for Skyhawk football are now on sale at www.utmsports.com/tickets. For questions about renewing current season tickets contact the Skyhawk Ticket Office at 731-881-7207.
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