NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee State football finally opened camp for the 2020 season on Saturday morning. The Big Blue had to wait over five months before taking the field and playing in the spring for the first time in collegiate history.

The Tigers will practice for four weeks before kicking off th seven game Ohio Valley Conference schedule against Jacksonville State. The matchup with the Gamecocks is set for Feb. 21 at Hale Stadium.

The Tigers look to improve upon a 3-9 season with 45 returners, including seven starters on defense, four starters on offense and two members of the special teams.

Preseason All-OVC selection Nick Harper Jr. and 2019 All-OVC Newcomer team honoree Josh Green will lead the defense. Linebacker Terry Straughter leads all returners in tackles from a year ago with 67, two behind team leader Ronnie Killings. Straughter is one of three returners that finished in the top five of the teams stops. Green tallied 66 tackles, while Harper notched 58.

Kicker Antonio Zita and punter Kaleb Mosley were named to the Preseason All-OVC team for the upcoming season. Zita entered the TSU and OVC record books with 20 field goals made in 2019, while Mosley led the conference with a 42.2 yard per punt average.

The offensive line provides seniority with Cam Durley, Will James and Demetrious Cooley. Curley joined Mosley, Zita and Harper on the Preseason All-OVC team.