By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. -- With a share of the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association title, the Tennessee Tech football team took home a lot of awards on Tuesday as the Golden Eagles collected 11 players on the all-conference team.
Five players made it on the first-team roster, while six were on the second-team. With defense being the team's strength, there was no surprise that seven of the 11 players selected were on that side of the ball.
Making the first-team squad were offensive lineman Donnell Wilson, defensive lineman Daniel Rickert, linebacker Cayman Spaulding, defensive back Tim Coutras and long snapper Turner McLaughlin.
The second-team unit included running back Jalen Mitchell, defensive lineman Theron Gaines, defensive lineman Myles Parker, linebacker Aaron Swafford, defensive back Caldra Williford and kick return specialist Tremel Jones.
The Golden Eagles ended the season as the top defense overall in the conference, leading the way in rush defense, ranking fifth in pass defense and first in scoring defense. Tech also was the top team in tackles-for-loss and turnover margin, second in sacks and third in interceptions.
Tech allowed a league-fewest 330.4 yards of total offense, 21.9 points per game, 82.9 rushing yards and 247.5 passing yards. The Golden Eagles also had 16 interceptions, 35 sacks and a plus-7 turnover margin.
Donnell Wilson – A transfer from Coastal Carolina, the Whiteville, N.C. native garnered the attention of several pro football scouts throughout the season. Wilson played every game this season and helped the offense collect 3,930 yards with 31 total touchdowns.
Daniel Rickert – Playing through some bumps and bruises, the Nolensville product missed just one game this season, but had some huge games. He finished the season with 37 total tackles – 16 solo and 21 assisted – with seven sacks for 33 yards, 11 tackles-for-loss for 52 yards. He forced two fumbles and recovered one for a 50-yard touchdown at Gardner-Webb. Rickert also broke up two passes and blocked a kick. Against UT Martin, he had nine tackles with 3.5 sacks for 18 yards, four TFL for 21 yards, a forced fumble and a breakup to be named both the Big South-OVC Defensive Player of the Week and the Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week.
Cayman Spaulding – The sophomore from Lithonia, Ga., had a breakout season as he played all 12 games and recorded 66 total tackles – 30 solo and 36 assists – with three sacks for 10 yards, 11.5 TFL for 30 yards. He recovered a fumble, returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown against Lindenwood and had two pass breakups. He recorded nine tackles twice – in the season opener at Middle Tennessee and at Western Illinois.
Tim Coutras – The second-year Tech standout from Nolensville improved on his first campaign, recording 59 total tackles – 46 solo and 13 assists – with three TFL for 12 yards. He forced two fumbles, while picking off three passes and breaking up eight. He had seven tackles twice, including at Western Illinois and at Samford.
Turner McLaughlin – The true freshman from Pensacola, Fla., had an incredible impact on the kicking unit as the Golden Eagles completed 15 of 22 field goals and 31 of 33 point after tries, while also setting up punter Spencer Ashby to a 37.9-yard average.
Jalen Mitchell – A Louisville and UConn transfer, the Rockledge, Fla., product finished the season with 781 rushing yards with five touchdowns. He averaged 65.1 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry on 138 totes. He also ended the year with 883 all-purpose yards as he also had 102 receiving yards. Mitchell surpassed the century mark twice as he rushed for 128 yards and a score on 13 carries against Lindenwood and 20 carries for 131 yards in the finale against Eastern Illinois.
Theron Gaines – The junior from Murfreesboro had a great season as he finished with 27 total tackles – 17 solo and 10 assists. Gaines also had 5.0 sacks for 44 yards and 8.0 TFL for 48 yards. He forced a fumble and broke up three passes. Gaines had a monster game at Gardner-Webb with seven tackles, 3.0 sacks and 3.5 TFL for 38 yards and a forced fumble, leading to a Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week nod.
Myles Parker – The Snellville, Ga., product saw action in all 12 games and recorded 32 total tackles, including 14 solo and 18 assisted. He had 2.5 sacks for 18 yards and 8.0 TFL for 28 yards. He forced one fumble and recovered two. Parker had a season-high five tackles at Gardner-Webb with one for-loss.
Aaron Swafford – Overcoming some bumps and bruises, Swafford came back determined and finished with 66 tackles – 30 solo and 36 assists – with two sacks for 11 yards and 7.5 for-loss for 23 yards. He also forced two fumbles and broke up a pass. Swafford had a big game against Charleston Southern as he recorded 11 tackles with 1.5 for-loss and a pass breakup.
Caldra Williford – A transfer from Murray State, Williford saw action in all 12 games and picked up 34 total tackles – 26 solo and eight assists – with one sack for 11 yards and four for-loss for 17. He forced one fumble and had two interceptions. Williford also broke up eight passes and blocked a kick. He had an incredible debut at Middle Tennessee as he collected seven stops with an interception.
Tremel Jones – A transfer from Wingate, Jones returned 18 kicks for 514 yards, averaging 28.6 yards per return. He had his longest return at Western Illinois with a 53-yarder among five returns for 165 yards. The Hamlet, N.C., native also caught 26 passes for 274 yards and a touchdown to finish the season with 943 all-purpose yards.
