Tech adds five on OVC/Big South Defensive preseason watch list
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the buildup to Thursday’s Ohio Valley Conference/Big South Conference Football Media Day continues, the combined league showcased its defensive and specialists on Tuesday with the Tennessee Tech football team taking six spots among five players. Tuesday’s Golden Eagle picks included senior defensive lineman Hudson Tucker, senior linebacker Aaron Swafford, graduate defensive back Tim Coutras, sophomore punter Spencer Ashby and kick/punt return specialist Tremel Jones in addition to his all-purpose selection on Monday.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the buildup to Thursday's Ohio Valley Conference/Big South Conference Football Media Day continues, the combined league showcased its defensive and specialists on Tuesday with the Tennessee Tech football team taking six spots among five players.
Tuesday's Golden Eagle picks included senior defensive lineman Hudson Tucker, senior linebacker Aaron Swafford, graduate defensive back Tim Coutras, sophomore punter Spencer Ashby and kick/punt return specialist Tremel Jones in addition to his all-purpose selection on Monday.
In all, 11 different Tech student-athletes were selected for 13 different positions on the preseason watch list.
The combined conference will announce the Preseason Players of the Year and the Preseason Predicted Order of Finish on Wednesday before the leagues host its annual media event virtually over Zoom on Thursday.
Tucker played in all 12 games last season, recording 20 total tackles with seven solo stops and 13 assisted. He had two sacks for 14 yards and 5.5 tackles-for-loss for 20 yards. His best outing last year was against Tennessee State as he posted a season-best six tackles and two sacks against the visiting Tigers.
Swafford played in 11 games as he continued to battle an injury and powered through for 66 total tackles on the year, including 11 against Charleston Southern. Among his 30 solo stops and 36 assists, Swafford was also credited for 7.5 tackles-for-loss for 23 yards and two sacks for 11 yards. He also forced two fumbles and broke up a pass.
Coutras, named to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America second-team roster earlier on Tuesday, finished the campaign with 59 total tackles – 46 solo and 13 assisted – with three tackles-for-loss for 12 yards. He also forced two fumbles, intercepted three passes for 30 yards and broke up eight passes.
He had a season-best seven tackles twice last year against Western Illinois and Samford, broke up three passes against South Carolina State and had a 28-yard interception return against Charleston Southern.
Ashby played in all 12 games of his rookie campaign, punting 61 times for 2,347 yards. He averaged 38.5 yards per punt with a season-long of 55 twice against South Carolina State and UT Martin. He pinned 25 inside the 20 and have five punts for 50 or more yards.
Jones, earning his second and third spots on the preseason watch list, was a jack-of-all-trades last season with the Golden Eagles as he caught 27 passes for 304 yards and a touchdown, ran 10 times for 155 yards and three scores and returned 19 kicks for 505 yards, including a 53-yard breakaway.
The Golden Eagles open the season on August 30 against Cumberland for the first of seven home games this season at Tucker Stadium as Tech looks to win the OVC-Big South title outright.
Season tickets for Golden Eagle Football are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
