Tennessee State (3-8)
The Tigers started last season winning three of their first five games including wins over Alabama A&M, Florida A&M and North Carolina A&T, but lost five of their last eight. In those last eight games, they were held scoreless twice but lost the other three games by a total of 19 points. Defensively the Tigers were solid and while Boxtorow All-American Eugene Clifford was lost to graduation, TSU returns some playmakers. OVC preseason Co-Defensive Player of the Year Rico Council leads a strong linebacking group. Council was second on the team in tackles (79) while registering six tackles for loss and four sacks. Wilson Robinson was an All-OVC newcomer last year, registering 24 tackles and two sacks while playing in all 11 games and making six starts. John Jones, the leading tackler from two years ago, returns after sitting out last season. Offensively, the Tigers were second in the OVC in rushing and despite Preston Brown's (760 yards rushing in five games) season-ending injury, Dante' Thomas, who was already having a solid season, continued to carry the load with 793 yards rushing, a 5.1 yards per carry average and 6 TDs, and is expected to shoulder more of the load. Look for Ryan Berry and former four-star recruit Trabis Ward, who are having great offseasons, to be productive as well. Also look for senior quarterback Jeremy Perry (131-244-1496, 9 TDs, 6 INTs) to be the starter but share time with redshirt freshman Michael German. Both quarterbacks will be protected by four starters that return on the offensive line. Wide receivers Jeremy Pryor, (27 receptions, 288 yards), Calvin McNairl (34 receptions, 429 yards, 4 TDs), and Travis James, Jr. (16 receptions, 211 yards) provide solid targets.

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