Golden Eagles get 12 on Phil Steele Preseason All-OVC teams
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the prep work continues towards the 2020 football season, more outlets are releasing their preseason teams. On Friday, it was Phil Steele’s preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference list and Tennessee Tech came away with 12 selections on the three-team roster. Senior defensive lineman Chris Tucker and sophomore kick return specialist Metrius Fleming were first-team selections, while junior quarterback Bailey Fisher, senior offensive lineman Mike Rhoades, senior defensive lineman Henry Karimu and junior outside linebacker Tai Carter were on the second team. Fleming made a repeat performance on the third-team roster at wide receiver, joined by senior tight end Tavin Kilpatrick, senior defensive line Jale’n Gladney, junior linebacker Seth Carlisle, sophomore defensive back Cameron Hudson and senior punter Luke Maynard.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the prep work continues towards the 2020 football season, more outlets are releasing their preseason teams. On Friday, it was Phil Steele's preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference list and Tennessee Tech came away with 12 selections on the three-team roster.
Senior defensive lineman Chris Tucker and sophomore kick return specialist Metrius Fleming were first-team selections, while junior quarterback Bailey Fisher, senior offensive lineman Mike Rhoades, senior defensive lineman Henry Karimu and junior outside linebacker Tai Carter were on the second team. Fleming made a repeat performance on the third-team roster at wide receiver, joined by senior tight end Tavin Kilpatrick, senior defensive line Jale'n Gladney, junior linebacker Seth Carlisle, sophomore defensive back Cameron Hudson and senior punter Luke Maynard.
Tucker anchored a much-improved Golden Eagle defensive line and put up incredible numbers in 2019. He recorded 56 total tackles – 23 solo and 33 assisted – with a team-high 13.5 for 47 total yards, including 5.5 sacks for 27 yards. He also recovered three fumbles and recorded four quarterback hurries. He set a career-high in tackles twice last season with eight against UT Martin and Austin Peay.
Fleming certainly made a case for himself as a wide receiver but shined on the special teams unit as he returned 18 kicks for 477 yards, an average of 26.5 yards per return, including a 91-yard kickoff return touchdown against Virginia-Wise. Fleming also caught 47 passes for 629 yards and three touchdowns, including a career day with 165 receiving yards on seven catches at Western Illinois and a career-long of 40 yards.
Fisher rewrote the Tennessee Tech single-season record books in 2019 as he set new marks in passing attempts (375), completions (231), passing yardage (2,643), touchdown passes (21), total offensive plays (541), total offensive yards (3,132) and combined rushing and passing touchdowns (32). He also set the single-game record for touchdown passes and touchdowns responsible for with six TDs against Eastern Illinois last season.
Rhoades was a huge part of that offensive success, protecting the skill players behind him. Through his efforts, the Golden Eagles set four single-season team offensive records, including most passing completions (252), most total offensive plays (893), most first downs (249) and most passing first downs (120).
Karimu spent his first year with the Golden Eagles bolstering the Tech defensive line as he collected 36 total tackles, including 7.5 for-loss for 33 yards and 5.5 sacks for 30 yards. He also had six quarterback hurries and recorded a safety.
Carter delivered in the nickel role last season as he recorded 38 total tackles – 24 solo and 14 assisted – with a sack and 4.5 tackles-for-loss for 17 yards. He also forced a fumble and recovered two, while also intercepting a pass and breaking up five passes.
Kilpatrick had 22 catches for 224 yards with three touchdowns. He averaged 10.2 yards per catch and 18.7 yards per game. He also had two kick returns for five yards.
Gladney had 28 total tackles with six for-loss for 28 yards and four sacks for 24 yards.
Carlisle finished 2019 with 88 tackles, including 4.5 for-loss for 10 yards, while also picking off three passes for 22 yards, breaking up two passes and hurrying the quarterback three times.
Hudson had 45 tackles last season including half a tackle-for-loss. He also broke up seven passes and recovered a fumble.
Maynard punted the ball 31 times for a total of 1,214 yards, averaging 39.2 yards per punt and a long of 57 yards. He had three touchbacks, six fair catches, four inside the 20, two go for 50 yards or longer and had one blocked.
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