• Preseason Releases: Team Poll, Offensive Player Watch List, Defensive Player Watch List | Media Day Recap
The countdown to the start of the 2025 season will include a look at all nine OVC-Big South Football Association teams with content from the Football Media Day event.
Tennessee State was picked eighth in the OVC-Big South Preseason Poll this season. The Tigers open the season by hosting North Carolina A&T in the John Merritt Classic on Saturday, August 30.
The Tigers, who are coming off a share of th e OVC-Big South crown and a FCS Playoff berth, enter its first season under head coach Reggie Barlow. Barlow joined TSU after a standout tenure as head coach of the UFL's D.C. Defenders, where he led the team to a league-best 9-1 record and a championship game appearance in 2023. His remarkable leadership earned him 2023 XFL Coach of the Year honors.
On the offensive side of the ball, graduate offensive lineman Anthony Smith was among the OVC-Big South Preseason Players to Watch.. A key veteran up front, Smith brings leadership and physicality to TSU's offensive line, anchoring a unit that looks to control the trenches throughout the season.
On defense, Sammy Taylor, a redshirt sophomore linebacker, returns after a strong sophomore campaign, with 15 solo tackles in the 2024 season.
On special teams, Mark Shenouda is coming off a season where he punted for 1,608 yards, eight of which were inside the 20 in the 2024 season.
BELOW VIDEOS
• Head Coach Reggie Barlow 1-on-1 with Bob Belvin
• OL Anthony Smith
• "Get to Know" Brent Rowe