The OVC-Big South Football Association named 14 Tennessee State student-athletes to its 2026 Preseason Players to Watch list, the conference announced Thursday. The Tigers earned recognition across all three phases of the game, with seven offensive selections, three defensive honorees, and four special teams standouts. More Sports News
Daylin Lee Headlines Tennessee State’s Offensive Selections
Senior quarterback Daylin Lee leads the group after transferring from Winston-Salem State, where he ranked second in program history with 5,616 passing yards and 55 touchdown passes. Lee started every game from 2023-25, averaged 187.2 passing yards per game, and added 15 rushing touchdowns over the course of his collegiate career.
Sophomore running back Zack Simmons-Brown also earned preseason honors after leading Tennessee State’s returning rushers in 2025. He carried the ball 101 times for 456 yards — a 4.5-yard-per-carry average — with two touchdowns and 12 receptions.
Sophomore wide receiver Cam Bulluck, tight end Aaron Duncan, and offensive lineman Breon Brown rounded out the skill position selections on offense. Sophomore Britton Watts was named the preseason placekicker.
Anthony Taylor Earns Dual Recognition on Special Teams
Sophomore Anthony Taylor was selected as both the preseason all-purpose player and punt return specialist. He returned 19 punts for 66 yards during the 2025 season while contributing across multiple phases of the game.
Other special teams honorees include sophomore punter Davion Moore, kick return specialist Jaden Jones, and long snapper Steven Nelson.
Tennessee State Defense Led by Sammy Taylor and Bryce Gray
On defense, junior linebacker Sammy Taylor returns after leading the Tigers with 51 tackles in 2025. He also recorded two tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Sophomore defensive lineman Bryce Gray earned recognition after posting 25 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks in just 10 games last season. Junior defensive back Syncere Safeeullah was also named a Player to Watch after recording 17 tackles, an interception returned 31 yards, three pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries.
2026 OVC-Big South Preseason Poll Has Tennessee State Eighth
The conference also released its 2026 preseason coaches poll, with Tennessee State projected to finish eighth. Defending conference champion UT Martin was voted the preseason favorite, receiving six of the eight available first-place votes.
| Rank | School | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UT Martin (6 first-place votes) | 47 |
| 2 | Southeast Missouri (1) | 38 |
| 3 | Lindenwood (1) | 37 |
| 4 | Gardner-Webb | 30 |
| 5 | Charleston Southern | 26 |
| 6 | Western Illinois | 23 |
| 7 | Eastern Illinois | 14 |
| 8 | Tennessee State | 9 |
Full Tennessee State OVC-Big South Preseason Players to Watch List
Offense: Daylin Lee, QB (Sr.); Zack Simmons-Brown, RB (So.); Cam Bulluck, WR (So.); Aaron Duncan, TE (So.); Breon Brown, OL (So.); Anthony Taylor, All-Purpose (So.); Britton Watts, PK (So.)
Defense: Bryce Gray, DL (So.); Sammy Taylor, LB (Jr.); Syncere Safeeullah, DB (Jr.)
Special Teams: Davion Moore, P (So.); Jaden Jones, KR (So.); Anthony Taylor, PR (So.); Steven Nelson, LS (So.)
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