Tag: Tennessee state football

Tennessee State reveals 2025 Football Schedule

Brandon King

image via Tennessee State football Wednesday afternoon Tennessee State released their 2025 football schedule. The 12-game tilt features a renewal of football acquaintances and an 8-games within the Big South-OVC. Courtesy of Tennessee State Athletics The defending Co-OVC Big South champion Tennessee State University football team has officially announced its 2025 schedule, featuring an exciting slate of matchups, including the annual John Merritt Classic, the Legacy Series, and a total of eight home games. The fifth year of the Eddie George era kicks off on Aug. 30 with the prestigious John Merritt…

Read More

Tennessee State announces “Legacy Series” v Alabama A&M

Brandon King

Wednesday Tennessee State announced a 4-year football series with Alabama A&M.  “We’re excited to launch the ‘Legacy Series,’ a celebration of the rich history and excellence of Tennessee State University and Alabama A&M,” said TSU Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen. “This series honors the cultural and athletic legacies that continue to inspire our HBCU community.” Beginning in 2025 the “Legacy Series” kicks off with a September 13 matchup between the Bulldogs and Tigers in Nashville The teams will alternate hosting subsequent games, with the 2026 meeting tentatively scheduled to…

Read More

Tennessee State “stepping away” from Southern Heritage Classic

Brandon King

Since the inception of the Southern Heritage Classic in 1990, Tennessee State has been a staple, participating in every playing of the contest.  However, that will change in 2025. For the first time, Tennessee State will not be taking part in the Southern Heritage, according to reporting from Action News 5 and sources confirmed to sneakershoptalk.com.  At a recent President’s meeting, Tennessee State Athletic Director Dr. Mikki Allen indicated that the university would not be a participant in this year’s game.  After the exit of nearly perennial classic opponent, Jackson State in…

Read More

Tennessee State football finds spot in postseason rankings

Brandon King

title image via SI The FCS Stats Perform Postseason Poll Rankings were announced and Tennessee State finished 19th.  Tennessee State also landed on the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) rankings, placing 19th in the polls.  In Coach Eddie George’s fourth season at the helm, Tennessee State went 9-4 this season and won a share of the Big Sputh-OVC crown, a feat the program has not achieved since L.C. Cope led the Tigers to the conference-promised land in 1999. In addition, TSU also earned a berth in the FCS Playoffs for the first time since 2013 when Rod Reed guided the program…

Read More

Tennessee State lands former Arizona quarterback Damante

Brandon King

Tennessee State secured a commitment from former Arizona quarterback Adam Damante. After a prolific senior season in which he threw for 4,769 yards and 59 touchdowns, leading American Leadership Academy Gilbert North to the 4A State Championship game. The Gilbert, AZ native was also named a finalist for the Ed Doherty Award, which is given to the best high school football player in Arizona., committed to Northern Arizona.  As a true freshman at NAU, Damante appeared in 7 games, starting 5, completing 116 of his 168 pass attempts for 1,146…

Read More

Tennessee State’s Draylen Ellis earns invite to NFL HBCU Combine

Brandon King

Tennessee State quarterback Draylen Ellis has been invited to the 2025 NFL HBCU Combine.  After splitting time last season in a rotation with Daveon Bryant, in which both quarterbacks were deprived of a chance to get in a rhythm, Ellis seized the quarterback position before the season started and it became evident very quickly that the work Ellis said he put in during the offseason was paying dividends. Showing poise, a command of the offense, and a consistent level of play not previously displayed in his time at Tennessee State,…

Read More

Tennessee State’s Sanders Ellis enters the transfer portal 

Brandon King

According to Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer of 247 Sports, Tennessee State true freshman linebacker, Sanders Ellis has entered the transfer portal. Following Micah Gay’s unfortunate season-ending elbow injury, Ellis was moved into the starting lineup and it paid immediate dividends for the Tennessee State defense. Ellis recorded 81 tackles a mark only outpaced on the team by Ahmad Nelson’s 94. Ellis also added 14 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries. His play this season earned Ellis a multitude of accolades, including being named Big South -OVC…

Read More

Tennessee State’s Sanders Ellis named FCS Football Central Freshman All-American

Brandon King

For his gridiron exploits this season Tennessee State linebacker Sanders Ellis was named an FCS Football Central Freshman All-Amwrican. Thrust into a starting role when Micah Gay was sidelined for the season with an elbow injury, the Nashville, TN was an immediate impact player.  The true freshman appeared in 14 contests, recording 86 total tackles (59 solo, 27 assisted), 15.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and 2 passes defended. Ellis was named Big South-OVC Freshman of Week 5 times on the season, with the fifth coming after…

Read More

Trio Tennessee State players named to BOXTOROW All-American Team

Brandon King

title image via Tennessee State Football For their gridiron exploits this season, three Tennessee State players were named to the BOXTOROW All-American Team- defensive back Boogie Trotter, offensive lineman Connor Meadows, and running back and return specialist CJ Evans.  Boogie Trotter | Junior | Defensive Back The Nashville native built upon a sophomore season in which he appeared in 9 games and recorded 11 tackles (7 solo) and 1 pass defensed, by exceeding his previous production in every statistical category. Trotter appeared in 14 games this season and recorded 66…

Read More

Tennessee State falls short in playoff matchup with Montana, 41-27

Brandon King

title image via Tennessee State Athletics Ill-timed miscues proved to be Tennessee State’s undoing as they came up short in a hard-fought 41-27 defeat to Montana in the first round of FCS Playoffs.  Montana struck first when Ty Morrison kicked a 39-yard field goal, giving the Grizzlies a 3-0 lead. Later in the quarter, Tennessee State responded with a James Lowery field goal, tying the game at 3 as time expired in the period. Montana then scored the first touchdown of the evening with a 7-yard run by Eli Gillman,…

Read More