NW Tennessee News

Four University of Tennessee at Martin football standouts garnered positions on the 2022 Stats Perform FCS All-America teams. Linebacker John H. Ford II was named to the FCS All-America first team while center Matthan Hatchie earned a spot on the third team. Additionally, running back Sam Franklin and offensive guard Jarod Russell were tabbed to the Freshman All-America team.

Ford concluded his career by earning back-to-back All-OVC first team honors while also garnering the program's first OVC Defensive Player of the Year selection. A finalist for the 2022 Buck Buchanan Award, Ford tallied 106 tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, an interception, two pass breakups, four quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The Nashville, Tenn. native ranked third in the OVC in tackles (9.5/game), second in sacks (0.45/game) and third in tackles for loss (0.95/game). Ford helped UT Martin rank first nationally in turnovers gained (28) and in the top 20 nationally in tackles for loss (17th) and sacks (20th).

Hatchie earned his third straight All-OVC honor after once again anchoring an impressive offensive line at both the center and guard positions. The Haleiwa, Hawai'i native graded out at 85 percent or better in each game while tallying 71 knockdowns. In the middle of an offensive unit which ranked sixth nationally in sacks allowed, he did not give up a sack in 401 attempts. The durable standout played 709 snaps while serving as a leader of the group with his toughness and makeup. Offensively, the unit led a team which ranked 19th in passing offense (269.4 ypg) and 20th in scoring offense (34.7).

A native of Little Rock, Ark., Franklin was part of a two-headed rushing attack for UT Martin, spelling first-team All-OVC selection Zak Wallace for a change of pace. Along with being named OVC Freshman of the Year, Franklin ranked fifth in the OVC in total rushing yards (676) despite having almost 25 less carries than any player who ranked ahead of him. He finished the season with 85 rushes to average 8.0 yards/carry, while scoring eight touchdowns. Franklin also caught 12 passes for 55 yards. A finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, Franklin scored a season-best three touchdowns in a win over Lindenwood while adding two scores and a season-high 157 rushing yards against Murray State. He also had 139 yards in a win at Houston Christian. He is the third UTM player to win this award, joining Don Chapman (2004) and John Bachus III (2019).

A native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Russell started in 10 games for the Skyhawks at left guard. While playing 702 snaps, he graded out at 83 percent or better throughout the season while tallying 68 knockdowns. The played a big part in an offensive line which ranked sixth nationally in sacks allowed while sitting 19th in passing offense (269.4 ypg) and 20th in scoring offense (34.7). 

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