• Complete HERO Sports Preseason All-American Team (PDF)
Three OVC football players were named to the HERO Sports Preseason FCS All-American Team.
The picks included UT Martin offensive lineman
Matthan Hatchie and defensive lineman
Eyabi Anoma, and Southeast Missouri running back
Geno Hess.
Hatchie has been named a consensus Preseason All-American as the two-time All-OVC selection returns for his final season in the middle of the Skyhawk offensive line. Hailed as the fourth-best returning FCS offensive lineman in 2022 according to HERO Sports, Hatchie graded out at 89 percent or better in each game last season. Along with tallying 101 knockdowns he anchored an offensive line which ranked first in the OVC in sacks allowed (0.83/game) while only being responsible for one sack in 362 attempts. He showed his durability by playing every snap except mop-up time against Murray State while leading a team which paced the OVC with 239.3 rushing yards per game.
Anoma played in 12 games last year, making 36 tackles, 9.5 tackles-for-loss and 6.0 sacks. He also had three quarterback hurries, forced a fumble and blocked a kick for the OVC Champions.
Hess, who was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award last year and on the preseason watch list this season, was named the 2022 OVC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. A year ago he was the OVC's leading rusher with 1,116 yards, 14 touchdowns and 111.6 yards per game en route to first-team All-OVC honors. During the 2020 season Hess led all FCS players with 12 rushing touchdowns.