MARTIN, Tenn. – Fresh off the program’s fourth consecutive conference championship, the University of Tennessee at Martin football program saw three players earn All-American recognitions for their play on the field courtesy of Stats Perform.
The trio of safety/all-purpose performer Oshae Baker, linebacker Jaylon Sharpe and offensive center Vance Van Every each claimed a spot on the Stats Perform FCS All-American Third Team.
Along with setting school records in the secondary, Baker proved to be a dynamic player on special teams as the team’s primary return specialist for both kickoff and punt units. A native of Sanford, Fla., Baker earned Big South-OVC first team honors after posting 54 total tackles – including one tackle for loss. He added eight pass breakups and three interceptions to rank seventh in the Association. During his final season he set a pair of program records with 36 career pass breakups and 45 passes defended. As a punt returner, he tallied 18 returns for 239 yards – averaging 13.3 yards per return – leading the Association in both categories.
A finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, Sharpe posted a big campaign in his final season in a Skyhawk uniform. The Charlotte, N.C. native led the team with 83 total tackles while ranking second in the Big South-OVC with 15.0 tackles for loss. He earned his second consecutive all-conference honor after adding two sacks and a pair of interceptions to go along with four pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He posted a career-high 14 tackles against Tennessee Tech while tallying multiple TFLs in five contests – including a season-best 3.0 TFLs in wins over North Alabama and Gardner-Webb. He also added interceptions against Eastern Illinois – which he returned 72 yards for a touchdown – while adding another pick against Lindenwood.
Van Every has been an anchor for the Skyhawk offensive line since joining the crew prior to the 2023 season. During his tenure, he has started at center in all 25 games and blocked for a pair of 1,000-yard rushers while averaging 5.2 yards per rush during league play. The Hernando, Miss. native has picked up a pair of Big South-OVC honors in the past two seasons as his first-year designation in 2024 joins his second team pick in 2023. This season he played in 883 snaps and graded out at 84 percent or better. He was a four-time BossHog of the Week and tallied 87 knockdowns on the year. Personally, he was responsible for just one sack on the year.
