All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Five UT-Martin Skyhawks to watch for against Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 1, 2018; Columbia, MO, USA; Tennessee Martin Skyhawks quarterback Dresser Winn (3) throws a pass during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Columbia, MO, USA; Tennessee Martin Skyhawks quarterback Dresser Winn (3) throws a pass during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next

At the beginning of the year, we said the UT-Martin Skyhawks wouldn’t be the easiest team Tennessee football faces despite their FCS status. That title was always going to lie with the Akron Zips, and with Akron’s only win this year coming in overtime against the Saint Francis Red Flash, that has proven to be accurate.

This doesn’t mean the Vols should lose to UT-Martin. It just means they should be aware that this is a solid team for its level. Jason Simpson is in his 17th year there, and his team is 4-2, in the top 20 of both FCS polls and is on track to repeat as Ohio Valley Conference champions.

What has helped this team is a slew of transfers from other FBS programs, so there is plenty of experience at that level. However, they have also developed talent well, and as we get set to look at their best players, experience is playing a huge factor. Let’s break down how. Here are the five Skyhawks who will be key against Tennessee football.

The Tennessee football Volunteers have to keep an eye on these UT-Martin players.

UT Martin Head Coach Jason Simpson watches the team practice on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at Hardy M. Graham Stadium in Martin, Tenn.
UT Martin Head Coach Jason Simpson watches the team practice on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at Hardy M. Graham Stadium in Martin, Tenn. /

5. Daylon Dotson

Defensive end | Sophomore | 6’3″ 280 pounds

Given what the Vols were able to do to Will Anderson Jr. last week, they probably aren’t too worried about edge rushers at the FCS level. However, Daylon Dotson plays that role as well as anybody, and given his size, he is physical enough to play inside, making him one of the most versatile front seven players in the OVC.

For the year, Dotson leads the team with four and a half sacks. He is third in tackles for a loss with five and has 18 total tackle, seven of which were solo. Most notably, he has 10 quarterback hurries and a forced fumble, so if UT is looking to keep Hendon Hooker from running in this game, and they should, they have to contain Dotson.

Darnell Wright, Gerald Mincey and Jeremiah Crawford did an incredible job for Tennessee football last week containing arguably the best pass rush in the nation as they beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 52-49. Dotson shouldn’t be that, but they can’t take him lightly.

Home/Vols Football