COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Several players who have made position
changes appear to be paying off quickly for the Golden Eagles as
Tennessee Tech wrapped up its first week of 2012 Spring drills on
Saturday.
“I see us being a younger team than we were a year ago and
we’ve got a lot of improvements to make to get better, but we
did get better in the first four days,” said head coach
Watson Brown.
Tech worked in shorts and helmets on Tuesday and Thursday, then
donned full pads for Friday and Saturday practices.
While some new faces who are moving up from redshirt years have
appeared ready to make immediate contributions, some of the most
impressive new looks have come from players in new locations.
The most interesting move includes what amounts to a
‘swap’ of positions between Demetrous Garrett and Josh
Pleasant. A rising senior, Garrett has moved from wide receiver to
cornerback. Pleasant, a redshirt freshman, has gone from cornerback
to wide receiver.
Both have looked good in their new roles, according to Brown.
“Demetrous is doing a good job. He’s mature, he has
good quickness and he’s a very tough kid,” Brown said.
“Josh makes us even younger at receiver, but that’s
okay. We’re very deep and talented there. In fact we’re
younger at both cornerback and receiver across the
board.”
In the secondary, Austin Tallant has moved from free to strong
safety with the return of Marty Jones. When Jones was injured in
the opening game last year, Tallant took over the starting role at
free safety as a true freshman and earned a spot on the OVC
All-Newcomer team.
“This was a good move,” Brown said. “With both
of them back there, it makes us that much stronger.”
Another returnee who has looked good in his new role is Cody
Matthews, who went from the “Z” outside receiver spot
to “W” as an inside receiver.
One promising move among the newcomers has redshirt freshman
Matthew Smith lining up at left offensive tackle. Smith was a
defensive lineman while sitting out the 2011 season.
“He has been really good,” Brown said.
“He’ll be pushing to start. We’re real excited
about him.”
Tech is also going to benefit from the return of speedy
runningback Tremaine Hudson from a redshirt season. Hudson saw
extensive action as a ball carrier, receiver and kick returner in
2008 and 2009, was limited in 2010 and sat out the 2011 campaign.
He had nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards as a freshman.
“Getting Tremaine back will give us a big boost,”
Brown said. “We’ll have four really good backs with a
lot of quickness. In addition to Hudson, Brown was talking about
Adam Urbano, Stephen Bush and Bud Golden.
“Golden is off to a really good start,” Brown said.
“He’s playing the way we thought he was capable of, and
we’re really deep at runningback.”
“The only disappointing thing is that we don’t have
Darian Stone out here,” Brown said of the talented
quarterback who will be a sophomore in the fall, but is sidelined
during spring drills with mononucleosis.
“”This was going to be a big spring for him, so we
miss him,” Brown said.
Spring drills continue next week with practices Tuesday and
Thursday at 3 p.m., and a scrimmage Saturday at 11 a.m.
Season tickets to follow the 2012 Golden Eagles may be ordered by
visiting the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center or calling
(931) 372-3940.
Tech's 2012 schedule will be announced Sunday.
May 22, 2012
Football to host Kids Camp starting Tuesday, May 29
April 30, 2012
Benford agrees to Free Agent status with Dallas Cowboys
April 29, 2012
Schweitzer, Hooper named NSCA Strength All-Americans
April 14, 2012
Runningbacks winding up as Spring Drills wind down
March 12, 2012
Golden Eagles to take on Volunteers in Knoxville
February 24, 2012
Busy Weekend: Tim Benford participating in NFL Combine
February 12, 2012
Football team celebrates championship, award winners announced
January 27, 2012
Benford, Brown receive top awards from Tennessee Sports Writers
January 18, 2012
Football Awards Dinner moved to Sunday, February 12
January 12, 2012
Public invited as Golden Eagles holds annual awards dinner Jan. 22
January 9, 2012
Golden Eagles rank 19th and 21st in final two FCS national polls
January 8, 2012
Golden Eagles 16th in final College Sports Madness poll
January 7, 2012
Tech's Tim Benford to play in East-West Shrine Game Jan. 21
January 3, 2012
Corey Watson named to FCS ADA Academic All-Star team
December 22, 2011
Still more All-America honors for Benford and Schweitzer
December 19, 2011
Benford, Schweitzer receive All-America nod from The Sports Network
December 16, 2011
Guard Scott Schweitzer earns AP All-America honor
December 15, 2011
Cookeville City Council honors Golden Eagles, Brown
December 6, 2011
Golden Eagle football program receives more post-season honors
November 30, 2011
2011 Golden Eagle football team established dozens of school records
November 23, 2011
Golden Eagles want first playoff experience to last beyond Saturday
November 22, 2011
Benford, Brown receive top OVC honors, nine named to all-OVC teams
November 21, 2011
Dontey Gay receives Performance Awards honorable mention
November 21, 2011
Watson Brown named a finalist for prestigious Eddie Robinson Award
November 20, 2011
Playoff Time: Ticket information for Golden Eagle game Saturday
November 20, 2011
Golden Eagles Gay, Tooley receive weekly honors from OVC
November 20, 2011
Tech's Lamb chosen as Player of the Week by national website
November 20, 2011
Tech to host Central Arkansas Saturday at 2 p.m. in FCS Playoffs
November 19, 2011
Tech celebrates OVC Championship with 49-7 win over Austin Peay
November 16, 2011
Playoff and title hopes rest on Saturday's game vs. Austin Peay
November 15, 2011
Honor Roll students to be TTU guests at final home game vs. Austin Peay
November 14, 2011
Golden Eagles pull rank in both FCS polls after EKU victory
November 10, 2011
Normand, Watson earn CoSIDA Academic All-District honors
November 10, 2011
Golden Eagles face Colonels with OVC crown hopes on the line
November 5, 2011
Title hopes still burn bright despite one-point Homecoming loss
November 4, 2011
Buy a game program and you can enter photo contest during the game
November 2, 2011
Ralph Broyles joins his brother Kenneth in TTU Sports Hall of Fame
October 31, 2011
Get free food for tweeting us your gameday pictures
October 31, 2011
Golden Eagles continue climb in national Top 25 polls
October 30, 2011
Campbell, Watson reap OVC Player of the Week honors
October 27, 2011
Tech vs. JSU: Ranked teams tangle for Ohio Valley Conference lead
October 26, 2011
James "Red" McMillan to join TTU Sports Hall of Fame
October 24, 2011
Golden Eagles ranked 19th/25th in FCS national polls
October 23, 2011
Golden Eagle football team to face Oregon Ducks in 2012 season
October 20, 2011
Watson Brown earns contract extension through 2016 season
October 16, 2011
Placekicker Zach Sharp selected as OVC Specialist of the Week
October 15, 2011
Fourth quarter Golden Eagle rally just misses in first OVC loss
October 14, 2011
Watson Brown: We're a team made up of many unsung heroes
October 11, 2011
Win streak, York Trophy, OVC lead all on the line Saturday for Tech
October 10, 2011
Golden Eagle football ranked 19th in both FCS national polls
October 7, 2011
Benford added to another national watch list
October 3, 2011
Golden Eagles ranked in top 25 in both FCS polls
October 1, 2011
Golden Eagles stun UT Martin in fourth quarter, win 34-31
September 29, 2011
Five selected for induction into TTU Sports Hall of Fame Nov. 4
September 28, 2011
Tech to host "Scout Night" October 15 at football game vs. Tennessee State
September 28, 2011
Race to recapture Sgt. York Trophy begins Saturday night at UT Martin
September 25, 2011
Gay, Forbes harvest weekly awards from Ohio Valley Conference
September 24, 2011
Golden Eagles stay undefeated in OVC play, turn back SEMO 38-31
September 21, 2011
Campus gears up for Family Weekend; Game vs. SEMO at 7 p.m.
September 20, 2011
Family Weekend brings defending OVC champ SEMO to town
September 20, 2011
Win a Hall of Fame/Homecoming Weekend Travel & Ticket package
September 19, 2011
Golden Eagles getting votes in both FCS polls; Benford another honor
September 18, 2011
Just reward: Tooley named OVC Defensive Player of the Week
September 17, 2011
Golden Eagles snare road victory at EIU to open OVC slate
September 16, 2011
Reserve space for Monday lunch; Call in Monday afternoon and win
September 15, 2011
Cast your votes for Watson Brown; He's currently fifth in nationwide voting
September 15, 2011
Transfers Golden, Rodgers added to Golden Eagle football roster
September 14, 2011
Golden Eagles open OVC play on the road at Eastern Illinois
September 12, 2011
Lamb, Benford receive Performance Awards honorable mention
September 11, 2011
First Football Insider's Lunch with Watson Brown is Monday
September 8, 2011
Big plays, excitement rule the evening as Golden Eagles roll to victory
September 7, 2011
Memorial ceremony, moment of silence planned Thursday for 9/11 victims
September 7, 2011
First Tennessee Bank Poster Night is Thursday at Tucker Stadium
September 6, 2011
Earnhardt Jr. #88 National Guard car to be on display at home opener
September 6, 2011
Home opener Thursday night brings Maryville Scots to Tucker Stadium
September 3, 2011
Hawkeyes halt Golden Eagles in season opener, 34-7
September 2, 2011
Community joins with Tech Athletics for Communiversity Night Thursday
September 2, 2011
Fans can follow Golden Eagles on Internet, phone, Twitter and blogs
August 30, 2011
Winner drawn for Iowa Flyaway at final Purple Pride Caravan
August 30, 2011
Golden Eagles venture north to take on Iowa Hawkeyes Saturday
August 29, 2011
Golden Eagle Football Countdown: Homecoming vs. Murray State
August 27, 2011
Watson Brown Show to air on WCTE and WHUB starting on Labor Day
August 27, 2011
Golden Eagle Football Countdown: Rematch with Gamecocks
August 25, 2011
Football team to hold walk-on tryouts Tuesday in Tucker Stadium
August 23, 2011
Events around region beckon Golden Eagle fans
August 23, 2011
Watson Brown, Athletics to host weekly Insiders' Lunch
August 20, 2011
Youngsters look to impress during team's second fall scrimmage
August 18, 2011
REMINDER: Gathering of Eagles is Saturday in Tucker Stadium
August 14, 2011
Off to a fast start: Golden Eagles hold first scrimmage Sunday
August 12, 2011
Camp Notebook: Improvement seen on first day in full pads
August 9, 2011
Camp Notebook/Day Two: Golden Eagle secondary will be strong
July 28, 2011
Hayes, Dillehay recognized for strength and conditioning
July 16, 2011
Golden Eagle Football Countdown: Season Opener at Iowa
May 3, 2011
Jim Ragland Fishing Tournament canceled
September 1, 2009
Military and Public Safety Appreciation Night Sept. 8 at Tucker Stadium