MTSU Tallies Six Players On All-Conference & All-Freshman Teams

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Six MTSU standouts were named to the Conference USA’s 2022 football all-conference and all-freshman award winners on Tuesday (Dec. 6), as voted on by the league’s head football coaches.

The Blue Raiders had three first team selections, two on the second team, one on the all-freshman team and 10 honorable mention picks.

Defensive end Jordan Ferguson, punter Kyle Ulbrich, and long snapper Brody Butler were the three Blue Raiders on the first unit.

Ferguson, a senior, finished the regular season third on the team in tackles (63) while leading the team in tackles for loss (16.0) and sacks (9.0). The Atlanta, Georgia native also added five pass breakups and five hurries. He enters the bowl game needing one more sack to become the school’s all-time leader.

Ulbrich, a senior, enjoyed his best season as a Blue Raider in 2022. He led Conference USA and was sixth nationally in punting average with an MTSU single-season record of 46.2 yards a punt. Ulbrich also led the league with 26 punts of 50 yards or more.

Butler, an honorable mention selection in 2020, played a key role in the Blue Raiders as the league’s top punter and one of the top field goal kickers in 2022. He was perfect on his 119 opportunities.

The second team is made up of Blue Raiders Teldrick Ross and Jaylin Lane.

Ross, a junior cornerback, turned in a career season for MTSU. The Macon, Georgia native was second on the team with 74 tackles, including 2.0 TFLs and 19 passes defended. His 18 total pass breakups set a new single-season school record.

Lane, a receiver and returner, earned second team honors as a punt returner. A preseason all-american as a punt returner, he led the Blue Raiders with 15 returns and a 6.9-yard return average.

The following players earned Honorable Mention recognition:

  • QB Chase Cunningham, who became the second player in school history to record multiple 400-yard passing games
  • RB Frank Peasant, who led the team in rushing and touchdowns scored
  • WR Jaylin Lane, who led in receiving
  • TE Izaiah Gathings, who led all C-USA tight ends with 53 receptions)
  • OL Jordan Palmer, a three-time lineman of the week
  • DE Zaylin Wood, who was named National Defensive Player of the Week
  • DT Marley Cook, who notched a career year with 9.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks
  • CB Decorian Patterson, who led the nation with six interceptions
  • CB Tra Fluellen, who led team with 97 tackles
  • PK Zeke Rankin, who made 12 of 14 field goals
  • KR Jaylin Lane, who averaged 23.1 yards a return

Derrick Henry Named Titan’s Nominee For Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

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Derrick Henry. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans All-Pro running back Derrick Henry has been named the club’s nominee for the 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

Widely considered one of the league’s most prestigious honors, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field. Each of the league’s 32 nominees were announced today (Dec. 6).

“It’s an honor for me,” Henry says. “This award, what it stands for, the morals and principles that Walter Payton stood for, I think that every athlete should try to strive for them each and every day. He did amazing things on the field, but off the field as well. We can just hope to be the man that he was one day. I’m very glad to represent this organization for the second time. It’s an honor to be nominated for this award. Hopefully I can continue to do great things and do the things that this award represents.”

Derrick Henry with the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

As part of his commitment to helping his community, Henry founded the ‘Two All Foundation,’ which exists to level the playing field for today’s youth so that their future success is not limited by the circumstances of their upbringing, background, disability or influence. Henry is dedicated to being a resource that positively impacts Nashville and other communities by equipping young people to reach their full potential through instilling strong core values in their lives and providing support TWO ALL adolescents in need. The foundation lives at the heart of everything Henry does to give back to the Greater Nashville community and beyond.

“I am proud of the work our players do in the community and appreciate the opportunity to highlight that work,” says Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. “Derrick has a passion for making a difference for those who are in need and the young people in our community. His leadership on and off the field is a great example of what it means to be a professional football player.”

Derrick Henry. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

As a nominee, Henry will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal through the end of the season in recognition of his accomplishments on and off the field. All 32 team winners will be highlighted as nominees and recognized for their important work during the weekend leading up to Super Bowl LVII. The 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air the Thursday (Feb. 9) before Super Bowl LVII, on NBC.

All 32 nominees will receive up to a $40,000 donation in their name to their charity of choice. The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award will receive up to a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice.

Titans Fire General Manager Jon Robinson

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Jon Robinson. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans are relieving Jon Robinson of his duties as General Manager, as announced by controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk.

Vice President of Player Personnel Ryan Cowden, who has been with the Titans for seven years, will lead player personnel for the remainder of the season. Preliminary work for a new general manager will begin shortly and a comprehensive search will be begin once the season is complete.

“Since becoming controlling owner in 2015, my goal has been to raise the standard for what is expected in all facets of our organization,” said Strunk in an official statement. “I believe we have made significant progress both on and off the field through investments in leadership, personnel and new ideas. This progress includes the core of our business, the football team itself, which is regularly evaluated both by results (wins and losses) and team construction/roster building. I am proud of what we have accomplished in my eight seasons of ownership, but I believe there is more to be done and higher aspirations to be met.”

She continued, “I want to thank Jon for his dedicated work to set this organization on an upward trajectory and I wish him and his family the best.”

The Titans hired Robinson as General Manager in January 2016, and in 2017, he was promoted to Executive Vice President/General Manager. A native of Union City, Tennessee, Robinson worked as the Director of College Scouting with the New England Patriots before serving as the Director of Player Personnel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Robinson is responsible for drafting Pro Bowlers Derrick Henry and Kevin Byard, as well as trading for current QB1 Ryan Tannehill.

Vanderbilt Standouts Ray Davis & Mike Wright Enter Transfer Portal

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Mike Wright & Ray Davis. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

Quarterback Mike Wright and running back Ray Davis, two of Vanderbilt’s top scorers, are entering the transfer portal after leading the Commodores to a 5-7 record this season.

Both players announced their decisions via social media, thanking Vanderbilt, their teammates and coaches.

Wright led the team in touchdowns with 12 passing TD’s and five rushing TD’s. Though he split starting QB duties with freshman AJ Swann, he finished the season behind center for the Commodores. Wright threw three touchdown passes against Florida to beat the Gators at FirstBank Stadium on Nov. 19, and finished the season with 974 passing yards and 538 rushing yards.

“I want to thank Vanderbilt University for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams athletically and academically. I want to thank my coaches, staff, professors, fans who supported me through this journey,” Wright shared on Twitter. “After much prayer and discussion, I have decided that I will be entering the transfer portal in pursuit of my next opportunity.”

Davis led the Commodores in rushing with 232 attempts and 1,081 yards. He scored five touchdowns and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. His impressive ground game led the Commodores to a 5-7 record, which included two SEC wins over Florida and ranked Kentucky.

“I want to thank Vanderbilt for taking a chance on me in 2020 and allowing me to represent this program at the highest level. With that being said, after many conversations with my family and support group, I will be entering into the NCAA transfer portal as a Graduate Transfer,” Davis said on Twitter.

Along with Wright and Davis, fellow Vandy players, running back Rocko Griffin, receiver Devin Boddie Jr., safety Chase Lloyd, linebacker Daniel Martin, tight end Joel DeCoursey and punter Jared Wheatley have entered the transfer portal.

Kentucky To Face Iowa At 2022 Transperfect Music City Bowl

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The NCAA Bowl Committee has announced that Kentucky will take on Iowa at this year’s Transperfect Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on New Year’s Eve at 11 a.m. CT. The game between the SEC and Big Ten will be televised nationally on ABC, marking the first time the Bowl has been featured on network television.

Despite being selected in 2020, this will be the first official appearance for the Hawkeyes, following that year’s cancellation due to COVID-19. This will be the second overall and second-straight meeting between the two schools. Kentucky beat Iowa in the 2021 Citrus Bowl.

“On behalf of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl board of directors, our staff and our volunteers, we look forward to hosting Iowa and Kentucky in our game this New Year’s Eve,” says Scott Ramsey, President & CEO of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl. “Both schools bring passionate fanbases and we cannot think of a better way to celebrate our 25th anniversary than with these two programs in our game.”

“It’s been an impressive year of football for the Big Ten and SEC,” adds TransPerfect President and CEO Phil Shawe. “We are proud to host the University of Iowa and University of Kentucky in Nashville on New Year’s Eve, and we look forward to a great game.”

Iowa finished the year 7-5, winning four out of their last five games and posting a 5-4 conference record in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes finished third in total defense in the conference and one of the top defenses in the country at 5th overall. Defensive back Cooper DeJean ranked fifth in the Big Ten with four interceptions, including two returned for a touchdown. Defensive linemen Deontae Craig (6.5) and Joe Evans (6) ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, in the conference for total sacks.

Iowa is led by Kirk Ferentz, the longest-tenured coach in college football. Ferentz is 185–115 overall in his 24 seasons with the Hawkeyes.

“We are excited to compete in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl,” Ferentz notes. “Our players and staff have worked hard to earn this invitation and we look forward to our visit to Nashville. We understand first-hand the quality of our opponent and look forward to playing on Dec. 31.”

Kentucky returns to the TransPerfect Music City Bowl for the first time since 2017, marking the sixth overall appearance for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats also finished the year 7-5, closing out the season with a win over rival Louisville. The Wildcats are led by dynamic quarterback Will Levis, who posted 19 touchdowns (4th in the SEC) through the air and two on the ground this season. Chris Rodriguez Jr. led the ground attack, leading all Kentucky rushers with 904 yards and six touchdowns.

The Wildcats are led by Mark Stoops, who is in his 10th season in Lexington where he’s amassed a 124-66 overall record.

“On behalf of our team and all of us at the University of Kentucky, we are excited to accept the invitation to play in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl,” Stoops says. “The Big Blue Nation always paints Nashville blue and the hospitality is second to none. We look forward to a great week and our team can’t wait to play one more time this year.”

Established in 1998, the TransPerfect Music City Bowl has transformed the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day into one of the city’s busiest times of the year for tourism and has become Nashville’s holiday tradition. This year marks the Bowl’s 25th anniversary where fans have the opportunity to vote on the 25th anniversary team and relive the Bowl’s top 25 moments.

Since its inception, the Bowl has produced nearly $400 million in direct economic impact to Nashville.

MTSU’s Chase Cunningham, Vanderbilt’s Ray Davis Named Comeback Player Of The Year Semifinalists

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Ray Davis & Chase Cunningham

Middle Tennessee quarterback Chase Cunningham and Vanderbilt running back Ray Davis have been named as semifinalists for the 2022 Comeback Player of the Year Award by the College Sports Communicators, in association with the Associated Press (AP) and the Fiesta Bowl Organization.

The award recognizes college football student-athletes from all divisions of college football for overcoming injury, illness, or other circumstances.

Cunningham, after his 2021 season ended early due to a torn ACL suffered against Southern Miss, bounced back to lead the Blue Raiders to a 7-5 record and a trip to the Hawai’i Bowl. The Knoxville, Tennessee native has passed for 2920 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 67 percent of his passes in 11 starts. The sixth-year senior also rushed for six touchdowns on the ground.

Davis led the Commodores in rushing with 232 attempts and 1,081 yards. He scored five touchdowns and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. His offensive prowess led the Commodores to a 5-7 record, which included two SEC wins over Florida and ranked Kentucky.

In a vote by a panel of AP writers, editors, sports information directors and Fiesta Bowl Organization representatives, three college football student-athletes will be honored as 2022 Comeback Player of the Year Award winners.

Cunningham is one of two Conference USA Athletes (Jyaire Shorter, WR, North Texas) to make the semifinalist list. Davis is one of two SEC athletes (Ventrell Miller, Florida, LB).

The Full 15-Man Semifinalist List:
(Conference / Player / School / Position)
ACC: Payton Wilson, NC State, LB
BIG 12: Adrian Martinez, Kansas State, QB
BIG 12: Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma, QB
BIG 12: Trace Ford, Oklahoma State, DE
BIG TEN: Mohamed Ibrahi, Minnesota, RB
BIG TEN: Ronnie Bell, Michigan, WR
CONFERENCE USA: Chase Cunningham, Middle Tennessee, QB
CONFERENCE USA: Jyaire Shorter, North Texas, WR
INDEPENDENT: Marist Liufau, Notre Dame, LB
MID-AMERICAN: Kyle Pugh, Northern Illinois, LB
PAC 12: Justin Flowe, Oregon, LB
PAC 12: Laitu Latu, UCLA, LB
PAC 12: Michael Penix Jr, Washington, QB
SEC: Ventrell Miller, Florida, LB
SEC: Ray Davis, Vanderbilt, RB

Nashville Metro Sports Authority Approves New Titans Stadium Plan

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Rendering of new Titans stadium. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

At their monthly board meeting on Thursday (Dec. 1), the Nashville Metro Sports Authority approved the new Titans stadium plan originally agreed upon by the Tennessee Titans organization and the office of Nashville Mayor John Cooper.

The deal, which was announced in early October by the Mayor’s office, will include a completely new stadium in the West Bank area in downtown Nashville. This new stadium will be enclosed and will include around 60,000 seats.

The new stadium is set to cost the city, state and Titans around $2.1 billion. It will be paid for by the Titans organization/NFL, bonds from the state of Tennessee of $500 million as promised by Governor Bill Lee, and through a hotel occupancy tax, as well as sale tax at Nissan Stadium, the eventual new stadium and the surrounding area.

No taxes from the city’s general fund will be used to build the stadium.

“We are thankful for the Metro Nashville Sports Authority’s leadership and support in moving the stadium proposal forward. The Authority has worked for many years to identify and address the challenges faced at the existing stadium, and continues to be an important partner as we look ahead to the future. We look forward to further conversation as the process continues,” the Titans shared in a statement to the media.

The stadium deal is now in the hands of the Metro council which has its next meeting on Dec. 6. The plan approved by the Sports Authority is on the council’s agenda for the meeting. The council still needs to pass the 1 percent hotel occupancy tax for the proposed plan.

Trent Dilfer Exits Lipscomb Academy To Coach UAB Football

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Trent Dilfer. Photo: Courtesy of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics

Lipscomb Academy head football coach Trent Dilfer will be leaving his position to coach the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) football team. He will officially begin his tenure at UAB on Friday (Dec. 2), following Lipscomb Academy’s state championship game on Dec. 1 in Chattanooga.

“Having the opportunity to lead such a quality program like UAB is one that I am beyond excited about,” Dilfer explains. “The investments the university has made for UAB Football aligns with my vision of taking this program to new heights as we join the American Athletic Conference and compete annually for the highest prize of playing in the College Football Playoff. I would like to thank President Ray Watts, Director of Athletics Mark Ingram and the entire search committee for their commitment to excellence and for trusting in me as we venture into this new era of UAB Football together.”

Dilfer spent the last four years as the head coach of Lipscomb Academy in Nashville where he led the Mustangs to the 2021 TSSAA D2-AA State Championship and will once again play for the state title tonight (Dec. 1). With one game remaining, Dilfer will finish his tenure with Lipscomb Academy with immense success, compiling an overall record of 43-10 in his four years and a mark of 25-1 in the last two seasons.

A former NFL quarterback, Dilfer was selected sixth overall in the 1994 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and threw for 20,518 yards and 113 touchdowns during his 14-year career. In 2000, he led the Baltimore Ravens to a 34-7 victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1997 and was the recipient of the Bart Starr Award and Ed Block Courage Award in 2003.

In 2008, Dilfer began a nine-year broadcasting career as an analyst on ESPN for a variety of programs, including Monday Night Countdown and NFL Primetime. He was nominated for a Sports Emmy in 2012 for Outstanding Sports Personality in the Studio Analyst category.

Dilfer is also the head coach of the Elite 11 Academy, which began in 2009 to train elite-level high school quarterbacks. His alumni include 27 of the 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks and 14 of the past 15 Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks. Currently, 60 of the 64 Power 5 starting quarterbacks in 2022 attended the Elite 11 Finals or Elite 11 Regional.

“Trent is a proven winner on and off the field at all levels and will be a tremendous leader for our program,” Director of Athletics Mark Ingram adds. “He is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback who played the game at its highest level for many years, and he has coached some of the top quarterbacks who are currently NFL franchise players. Trent’s goals and vision for our program is to lead UAB to the College Football Playoff and we have no doubt that he is the right coach to lead our transition in the American Athletic Conference. Most importantly, Trent is an outstanding man, husband and father with tremendous character who fits our department’s core values of winning championships, graduating with honors and making a difference in our community.”

While appropriate members of the UA System Board of Trustees have been notified of the proposed terms and conditions of this proposed agreement, the financial terms remain subject to approval by the Board of Trustees.