Kansas State opponent preview: UT Martin players to watch

Kansas State’s season opener is Saturday evening versus UT-Martin. KSO’s Drew Galloway takes a look at a few Skyhawks to watch.

QB Kinkead Dent

Kinkead Dent is an experienced quarterback for UT-Martin. He is in his second season for the Skyhawks after transferring from Ole Miss after spending four seasons in Oxford. Last season Dent started all 11 games for UT Martin and threw for  2,295 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He is also pretty mobile posting 63 carries for 351 yards and three touchdowns a season ago. For his efforts last season he was named to Phil Steele’s All-Conference second team and FCS Football Central All-Conference second team.

Dent played in just one game against Power Four competition last season and was 18 of 32 passing for 128 yards and a touchdown against Georgia. Also, a fun fact is Dent did punt the ball two times last season and both were downed inside the 20-yard line. Do not be surprised if it looks as if the Skyhawks are going for it on fourth down, but punt instead.

WR DeVonte Tanksley

DeVonte Tanksley is also an experienced player for UT-Martin. Another super senior, Tanksley posted a career-high in catches (54), yards last season (698), and touchdowns (four). He was Named to Big South-OVC Football Association second team, Phil Steele’s All-Conference second team and FCS Football Central All-Conference team after last season.

A season ago, Tanksley eclipsed the 100-yard mark against Houston Christian and Tennessee Tech. Georgia really took Tanksley away last season and Kansas State will look to do the same. The Bulldogs held the wide receiver to two catches for three yards.

WR Zoe Roberts

Zoe Roberts also provides experience on the UT-Martin offense as another senior. He led the Skyhawks in touchdowns with six while also recording 28 receptions for 325 yards. His best game a season ago came against Tennessee Tech tallying five catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns including the game-winner for UT Martin.

In the one game against Power Four competition a season ago, Roberts was held to one catch for six yards.

S Oshae Baker

Oshae Baker is the most talented player for the Skyhawks. He earned a first-team All-Big South-OVC selection last year with 49 tackles, 10 passes broken up, one interception and seven tackles for loss. Baker tallied a season-high 10 tackles versus Missouri State and five or more tackles in six games last season, including versus Georgia.

Kansas State will have to know where Baker is at all times. He is also the primary punt returner for the Skyhawks.

CB JaMichael McGoy

JaMichael McGoy is another talented piece in the secondary for UT Martin. K-State will have a bit to deal with in their secondary. McGoy earned second team all-league honors with a team-leading 12 passes broken up and a pair of interceptions to go with 28 tackles. Impressively, McGoy also posted three pass break ups in one game last season.

LB Jaylon Sharpe

It is an older UT Martin team and linebacker Jaylon Sharpe is another older player as a super senior. The second team all-conference choice was second on the team with 63 tackles, and that included a team-leading 36 solo tackles and seven tackles for loss. Sharpe tallied five or more tackles in eight games including a season high eight versus Georgia.