CSJ Conference Preview: OVC

Courtesy of Anniston Star

College Sports Journal announces their 2018 Fearless Prediction for the Order of finish of the OVC.

2017 was another year where head coach John Grass’ Jacksonville Gamecocks pulverized the rest of their OVC competition and experienced only two losses – one to an FBS team early in the year, and another after a loss in the playoffs, this time at home to upstart Kennesaw State. This year, Grass’ Jacksonville State team is once again picked by College Sports Journal to repeat as OVC Champions.

Even though Jacksonville State waves goodbye to OVC Defensive Player of the year DE Darius Jackson, DB Marlon Bridges steps into a huge role for the Gamecock defense as the preseason OVC Defensive Player of the Year. With 81 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 3 interceptions, he’ll be expected to continue being a dominating force on the best defensive unit of the OVC.

 

For information and details on each school’s prospects for 2018, click on the links below.

  1. Jacksonville State
  2. Austin Peay
  3. UT Martin
  4. Eastern Illinois
  5. Eastern Kentucky
  6. Southeast Missouri State
  7. Tennessee State
  8. Murray State
  9. Tennessee Tech

2018 All-OVC Football Preseason Team

Preseason Off ensive Player of the Year: Marquis Terry (RB), Southeast Missouri
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Marlon Bridges (DB), Jacksonville State

OFFENSE
Pos. Player, School Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown
QB Jeremiah Oatsvall, Austin Peay ** 6-1 200 So. Brentwood, Tenn.
RB Marquis Terry, Southeast Missouri * 5-6 179 Sr. Atlanta, Ga.
RB Ladarius Galloway, UT Martin ** 5-9 205 Sr. Indianola, Miss.
WR Alexander Hollins, Eastern Illinois 6-1 170 Sr. Yazoo City, Miss.
WR Steven Newbold, Tennessee State 5-11 170 Jr. Carol City, Fla.
TE Dan Paul, Eastern Kentucky * 6-3 253 Sr. Naples, Fla.
C Tyler Scozzaro, Jacksonville State * 6-3 300 Sr. Bessemer, Ala.
OG B.J. Autry, Jacksonville State * 6-5 340 Sr. Eight Mile, Ala.
OG Ryan Rockensuess, Austin Peay ** 6-5 318 Sr. Troy, Mich.
OG Darius Anderson, Jacksonville State ** 6-3 305 Jr. Jonesboro, Ga.
OT Drew Forbes, Southeast Missouri ** 6-4 306 Sr. Bonne Terre, Mo.
OT Kyle Anderton, Austin Peay ** 6-3 302 Sr. Gallatin, Tenn.

DEFENSE
Pos. Player, School Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown
DL Randy Robinson, Jacksonville State ** 6-2 305 Sr. Lovejoy, Ga.
DL Jaison Williams, Austin Peay * 6-1 225 Jr. Trussville, Ala.
DL Aaron Patrick, Eastern Kentucky 6-4 236 R-Jr. Dayton, Ohio
DL Kenney Wooten, Murray State 6-0 239 Sr. Meridian, Miss.
DL Tim Collins, Tennessee Tech 6-5 250 Sr. Birmingham, Ala.
LB Zach Hall, Southeast Missouri ** 5-11 238 Jr. Louisville, Ky.
LB James Gilleylen, UT Martin ** 6-1 243 Sr. Tupelo, Miss.
LB Gunnar Scholato, Austin Peay * 6-3 234 Sr. Hendersonville, Tenn.
DB Vincent Sellers, Tennessee State ** 6-1 180 So. Sarasota, Fla.
DB Marlon Bridges, Jacksonville State * 6-0 200 Jr. Lanett, Ala.
DB Mark Williams, Eastern Illinois 6-0 170 So. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
DB Dajour Nesbeth, Tennessee State 6-1 187 So. Winter Garden, Fla.

SPECIALISTS
Pos. Player, School Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown
K Cade Stinnett, Jacksonville State ** 6-1 270 Sr. Enterprise, Ala.
K Gabriel Vicente, Murray State ** 6-3 190 Jr. Miami, Fla.
P Nick Madonia, Tennessee Tech ** 5-10 185 Sr. Arrington, Tenn.
RS LJ Scott, Eastern Kentucky ** 6-0 222 Sr. Marion, Ohio
RS Peyton Logan, UT Martin ** 5-8 170 So. Horn Lake, Miss.

* – 1st team All-OVC team in 2017 ** – 2nd team All-OVC team in 2017