By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After being selected to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America third-team roster on Wednesday, defensive back Tim Coutras was selected to another preseason All-America team on Friday as he was named to PhilSteele.com's preseason squad on the fourth-team defensive roster.
In addition to the All-America nod, the Golden Eagles also collected nine players on the PhilSteele.com Preseason Big South-OVC team including tight end Hunter Barnhart (first team), defensive lineman Daniel Rickert (first team), defensive lineman Hudson Tucker (first team), linebacker Aaron Swafford (first team), Coutras (first team), running back Obie Sanni (third team), wide receiver Tremel Jones (third team), offensive lineman Logan Weedman (third team) and offensive lineman Nate Hodnett (third team).
Coutras, a product of Nolensville, Tenn., had a breakout season in his first season in Cookeville. He finished third in total tackles with 55 total – 24 solo and 31 assisted – while also collecting 4.5 for-loss for 12 yards. He also led the team in interceptions with four for 56 yards with two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
He had a season-high nine tackles against UT Martin on Nov. 4, while he also recorded five tackles and two interceptions – including one for a touchdown -- at Robert Morris on Oct. 28.
Coutras was also on the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association Preseason Players to Watch list. Last season saw Coutras earn a first-team selection by PhilSteele.com's conference team after a first-team nod from the Big South-OVC.
Barnhart caught 13 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. Rickert finished fourth on the team last season with 49 total tackles, including 14.5 for-loss and nine sacks, while also collecting three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two fumbles forced with a strip sack for a touchdown at Robert Morris. Tucker had 21 total tackles with nine for-loss and six sacks and three quarterback hurries. Swafford led the team in tackles with 72 total with seven for-loss and three sacks. Swafford also had two interceptions, two pass breakups, two QB hurries, two fumble recoveries and one forced. He returned an interception for a touchdown at Robert Morris.
Weedman and Hodnett blocked the way as the Golden Eagles put together 1,384 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, while the passing game collected 1,936 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Sanni and Jones will be suiting up for the first time with the Golden Eagles this season. Sanni, an Old Dominion transfer, rushed for 248 yards and a touchdown last season with six catches for 56 yards. He ran for a career-high 85 yards and a touchdown against Georgia State as ODU clinched a bowl berth. Jones caught 48 passes for 855 yards and seven touchdowns at Wingate last season, including a career-high 163 yards at Barton.
Tech opens the season on August 31 as the Golden Eagles face historic rival Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro, then heads to Football Bowl Subdivision power Georgia the following week. Tech opens the home slate at Tucker Stadium on Sept. 21 against Tennessee State.
Season tickets are now on sale – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.
Photo | Emily Armstrong, file
