NASHVILLE — Tennessee State placed 14 student-athletes on the 2026 OVC-Big South Football Association Preseason Players to Watch list, the conference announced Thursday.
The Tigers were represented across all three phases of the game with seven offensive selections, three defensive honorees and four special teams standouts as the league unveiled its preseason honors and coaches poll.
Leading the offensive selections is senior quarterback Daylin Lee, a transfer from Winston-Salem State who arrives in Nashville as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Rams history. Lee finished his career ranked second in program history with 5,616 passing yards and 55 touchdown passes while starting every game from 2023-25. He also rushed for 15 touchdowns during his collegiate career and averaged 187.2 passing yards per game.
Sophomore running back Zack Simmons-Brown also earned preseason recognition after leading Tennessee State's returning rushers in 2025. He carried the ball 101 times for 456 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry with two touchdowns while adding 12 receptions.
Sophomore wide receiver Cam Bulluck, tight end Aaron Duncan and offensive lineman Breon Brown were also recognized on offense.
Sophomore Anthony Taylor was selected as both the preseason all-purpose player and punt return specialist. Taylor returned 19 punts for 66 yards during the 2025 season while providing versatility in multiple phases of the game.
Sophomore Britton Watts rounded out the Tigers' offensive selections as the preseason placekicker.
On defense, sophomore defensive lineman Bryce Gray earned recognition after recording 25 tackles, including four tackles for loss and three sacks in 10 games last season.
Junior linebacker Sammy Taylor returns after leading the Tigers with 51 tackles in 2025. He added two tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Junior defensive back Syncere Safeeullah was also named a Player to Watch after finishing with 17 tackles, an interception returned 31 yards, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
Special teams selections included sophomore punter Davion Moore, kick return specialist Jaden Jones, punt return specialist Anthony Taylor and long snapper Steven Nelson.
The conference also released its 2026 preseason poll, with Tennessee State selected to finish eighth. Defending conference champion UT Martin was picked as the preseason favorite after receiving six of the league's eight first-place votes.
2026 OVC Football Preseason Poll
|
Rank
|
School
|
Points
|
|
1
|
UT Martin (6 first-place votes)
|
47
|
|
2
|
Southeast Missouri (1)
|
38
|
|
3
|
Lindenwood (1)
|
37
|
|
4
|
Gardner-Webb
|
30
|
|
5
|
Charleston Southern
|
26
|
|
6
|
Western Illinois
|
23
|
|
7
|
Eastern Illinois
|
14
|
|
8
|
Tennessee State
|
9
|
Tennessee State OVC-Big South Preseason Players to Watch
Offense
Defense
Special Teams
