By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — Coming off their first winning season in nearly seven years, the Tennessee State Tigers were picked to finish fourth in the 2024 Big South-OVC preseason poll. It will be the second season that TSU is competing in this joint conference arrangement. UT Martin was the narrow choice to finish first, getting 61 votes, while Eastern Illinois finished second with 53 and Southeast Missouri third with 51. The Tigers got 41 votes. TSU also had 12 players make the league’s preseason Player to Watch list, led by QB Draylen Ellis and running Back Jordan Gant. Ellis will be in his senior season. He has 47 career passing touchdowns and 12 rushing ones. Gant had a great freshman season, gaining 553 yards and getting 10 rushing touchdowns, both team leading figures.
Other Tigers making the list were wide receiver Jalal Dean, offensive lineman Connor Meadows, tight end Jason Hoath Jr., defensive lineman Eriq George, linebacker Ahmad Nelson, defensive back Jalen McClendon,
All-Purpose/kick and punt returner Dayron Johnson, place kicker James Lowery, punter Jackson Foster, and long snapper Carson Buchanan.
The Tigers will play eight conference games this season. They begin the season August 31 against Mississippi Valley in the annual John Merritt Classic at Nissan Stadium. Their first road game comes September 14 against North Dakota State. Then they return home against Arkansas-Pine Bluff September 21. They wrap up the first month of competition on the road against Tennessee Tech Sept. 28. That’s also their first Big South-OVC game.
Next is the Big South-OVC home opener against Charleston Southern Oct. 5, followed by another road game against Lindenwood Oct. 12. Eastern Illinois comes to Nashville Oct. 19, then comes a road game at Howard November 2, the final nonconference contest. UT Martin, the pick to win the conference, comes to town November 9. Then come two straight on the road, at Western Illinois November 16 and Gardner-Webb Nov. 23. The final regular season game against Sooutheast Missouri State is scheduled to be played at a neutral location.
The John Merritt Classic, as well as most of the 2024 regular season games, will be televised on ESPN+, ESPN’s streaming service. They will also air on 94.9 FM.
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