• Complete BOXTOROW HBCU Preseason All-American Team
Three Tennessee State players have been named to the BOXTOROW HBCU Preseason All-America team. The players included running back
Devon Starling, defensive lineman
Davoan Hawkins and kicker
Antonio Zita.
BOXTOROW has administered the All-America team since 2007 and the voters are comprised of media members from around the nation that cover HBCU football.
Starling led all freshmen nationally and finished 13th overall in rushing, averaging 92.6 yards per game. The running back finished the season with 648 yards on 124 carries and three touchdowns. The 648 total yards was 17th in FCS play and second amongst freshman in all games played, including NCAA playoff games. The Antioch, Tenn., product's 5.23 yards per carry was 33rd best in the country and fifth amongst first year running backs.
Hawkins led the OVC in forced fumbles with 0.29 per game and sacks per game with 0.71 sacks per game, The defensive tackle ranked 33rd in FCS play in sacks per game, finishing with five in seven outings. Hawkins native also led the OVC in tackles for loss with nine.
Last season Zita converted 14 field goals, leading the OVC and finishing fourth in the country with 2.0 per game. The junior impressed this season with eight field goals from beyond 40 yards, including five from 50-yards or more. He was the only kicker in the nation to have more than two field goals made from 50-plus and recorded the longest kick at all levels of the NCAA this season with a 62-yard blast against Eastern Illinois.
Players on BOXTOROW HBCU Preseason All-American Team
RB - Devon Starling, Tennessee State
DL - Davoan Hawkins, Tennessee State
PK - Antonio Zita, Tennessee State