Tennessee State football defensive end James Stewart, a transfer from Middle Tennessee State who played at Brentwood Academy, and Tennessee Tech defensive back Tim Coutras, a transfer from Liberty who played at Nolensville, made the 2025 All-Big South/Ohio Valley Conference first team.
In just his second season, Tennessee Tech’s Bobby Wilder, who led the Golden Eagles to an 11-1 regular season record, the conference championship, and a berth in the FCS national playoffs, was the coach of the year.
Stewart was a bright spot for TSU in an otherwise disappointing season for the Tigers, who finished with a 2-10 record. The senior led TSU in tackles (68), tackles for loss (17.5), and sacks (6.0). Before spending two seasons at MTSU, Stewart played at Memphis. He finished his career with 121 total tackles.
Stewart was the only TSU player to make the first or second teams. Offensive lineman Veguer Jean-Jumeau and running back Kendric Rhymes were on the honorable mention list.
Coutras, the grandson of legendary Overton coach Nick Coutras, made the all-conference team for the third straight season. He was Tennessee Tech’s third-leading tackler with 66 total stops, recorded 3.5 tackles for loss, and had one interception along with five pass breakups.
Other Tech players on the first team: linebacker Theron Gaines from Oakland; tight end Brian Courtney; offensive linemen Logan Weedman and Drew Wilder; linebacker Aaron Swafford; defensive back Andrew Smith, and punt returner Tre’ Holloway. Holloway also made the second team offense as a wide receiver.
Big South/OVC coach/players of the year
Offensive Player of the Year: Kekoa Visperas (QB, R-Sr.), Tennessee Tech
Defensive Player of the Year: Keyshawn Johnson (OLB, Jr.), UT Martin
Special Teams Player of the Year: Mason Miller (P, Grad.), Eastern Illinois
Offensive Freshman of the Year: Cason Carswell (QB, Fr.), Western Illinois
Defensive Freshman of the Year: Anthony Paulk (DB, R-Fr.), Charleston Southern
Coach of the Year: Bobby Wilder, Tennessee Tech
All Big South/OVC first team
OFFENSEQB – Kekoa Visperas, R-Sr., Tennessee Tech
RB – Carson Gresock, R-Jr., Gardner-Webb
RB – Markell Holman, Jr., Western Illinois
RB – Quasean Holmes, Grad., Gardner-Webb
WR – Rico Bond, R-Fr., Lindenwood
WR – Chris Lofton, R-So., Gardner-Webb
WR – Cam Pedro, Jr., Southeast Missouri
WR – Rashawn Cunningham, R-Fr., Charleston Southern
TE – Brian Courtney, Sr., Tennessee Tech
OL – Logan Weedman, Sr., Tennessee Tech
OL – Drew Wilder, Sr., Tennessee Tech
OL – Josiah Tingley, Grad., UT Martin
OL – Andrew Threatt, Jr., Charleston Southern
OL – Elijah Bowser, R-Sr., UT Martin
OL – Gavin Hulet, R-Sr., Lindenwood
DEFENSE
DL – Keyshawn Johnson, Jr., UT Martin
DL – Robert Holtz, Sr., Gardner-Webb
DL – James Stewart, R-Sr., Tennessee State
DL – Malik McKinzie, Sr., Charleston Southern
DL – Antonio O’Berry, Grad., Gardner-Webb
LB – Theron Gaines, Sr., Tennessee Tech
LB – Steve Zayachkowsky, Jr., Charleston Southern
LB – Aaron Swafford, Sr., Tennessee Tech
LB – Christian Pierce, Sr., Western Illinois
LB – Tylan Foster, R-Sr., Eastern Illinois
DB – Tim Coutras, Grad., Tennessee Tech
DB – Andrew Smith, Grad., Tennessee Tech
DB – JaMichael McGoy Jr., R-Sr., UT Martin
DB – Jacob Stevenson, R-Sr., UT Martin
DB – Landon Sylvie, So., Southeast MissouriSPECIALISTS
PK – Cade Hechter, Jr., UT Martin
P – Mason Miller, Grad., Eastern Illinois
LS – Hayden King, R-So., UT Martin
KR – Anthony Lowe, Grad., Gardner-Webb
PR – Tre’ Holloway, Sr., Tennessee Tech
AP – Anthony Lowe, Grad., Gardner-Webb
All Big South/OVC second team
OFFENSEQB – Nate Glantz, R-Sr., Lindenwood
QB – Jase Bauer, R-Sr., UT Martin
RB – Quintell Quinn, R-Sr., Tennessee Tech
RB – Q’Daryius Jennings, R-Sr., Tennessee Tech
RB – Steve Hall, R-So., Lindenwood
WR – Anthony Lowe, Grad., Gardner-Webb
WR – Tre’ Holloway, Sr., Tennessee Tech
WR – Demari Davis, Sr., Western Illinois
WR – Jalen Smith, R-So., Lindenwood
TE – Alex Williams, Sr., Western Illinois
OL – Andrew Threatt, R-Jr., Gardner-Webb
OL – Christian Thomas, Sr., Tennessee Tech
OL – Aaron McIver, R-Jr., Gardner-Webb
OL – Nic DiSanto, Jr., Eastern Illinois
OL – Rahfeeq Katumbusi, R-Fr., Eastern Illinois
OL – Jai’Lun Hampton, Grad., UT MartinDEFENSEDL – Maurice LaPierre, Sr., Tennessee Tech
DL – Chima Iwuagwu, Grad., Tennessee Tech
DL – Tajay Passmore, R-Sr., Lindenwood
DL – Toby Camp, R-Sr., UT Martin
DL – David Portu, R-Jr., Charleston Southern
LB – Justin Waters, Sr., Charleston Southern
LB – Tah Mac Bright Banda, Grad., UT Martin
LB – Ja’Wuan Nickson, Jr., Eastern Illinois
LB – Jeremy Walton, Sr., Southeast Missouri
LB – Jacob Waller, R-Jr., Lindenwood
DB – Josiah Harris, Jr., Gardner-Webb
DB – Gavin Bryson, Sr., Tennessee Tech
DB – Champ Brantley, Jr., Charleston Southern
DB – Knai Cook, So., Charleston Southern
DB – Jayden Patrick, R-Sr., LindenwoodSPECIALISTSPK – Justin Keller, Sr., Southeast Missouri
P – Ryan Kingston, Sr., Southeast Missouri
LS – Judd Cunningham, Sr., Southeast Missouri
KR – Cole Ruble, Jr., Southeast Missouri
PR – Cooper Willman, Grad., Eastern Illinois
AP – Tre’ Holloway, Sr., Tennessee Tech
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: All-Big South / Ohio Valley Conference football teams for 2025
