The Tusculum University football team will kick off the 2025 campaign this Saturday night (Aug. 30) when they Pioneers travel to West Virginia for the inaugural meeting with Bluefield State University.
Head coach Billy Taylor enters his second season at the helm of the Tusculum program as he returns eight starters and 30 lettermen from last year’s club.
Both the Pioneers and the Big Blues will be looking to bounce back from 1-9 campaigns from a year ago.
THE SERIES
This will be the first-ever meeting on the gridiron between Tusculum and Bluefield State.
OFFENSE
Tusculum will have eight returners from last season in the projected offensive starting line-up for this year’s opener.
Three TU newcomers will be in the starting line-up including junior quarterback Buddy Taylor. The 5-11, 165-pound signal caller from River Ridge, Louisiana spent three seasons at NCAA Division II Arkansas-Monticello where he logged 14 games under center. He accounted for 1,300 yards of offense with the Boll Weevils to go along with eight touchdowns (5 pass, 3 rush).
Senior quarterback Richard Hunter (6-2, 200, South Pittsburg, Tenn.) is back after playing in three games last year and passed for 178 yards, going 14-of-24 in the air.
The running back duo of John Celestin and Lex Dinwiddie get the early nod in the offensive backfield in Tusculum’s option attack. Celestin, a 5-9, 190-pound junior from Orlando, Florida, averaged 3.4 yards per carry last year and scored a touchdown. The veteran has appeared in a dozen games as a Pioneer.
Dinwiddie, a 6-1, 215-pound sophomore from Fletcher, North Carolina, saw action in eight games as a true freshman, posting nine carries for 48 yards and a touchdown.
Senior Dominic Vance (6-0, 165, Knoxville, Tenn.) played in 10 games while redshirt Jerome Newland (5-8, 185, Lawrenceville, Ga.) makes his collegiate debut this year at running back.
Senior Reginald Hunter returns as Tusculum’s starting tight end. The 6-4, 215-pounder from South Pittsburg, Tennessee, is listed as a SAC Player to Watch. In 2024, he tied for the team lead with his 18 receptions and finished fourth with 170 receiving yards.
Senior Ashton Hagans is back in the receiving corps and is listed as a SAC Player to Watch. The 5-9, 170-pound Milledgeville, Georgia product played in nine games for the Pioneers where he amassed six catches for 59 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
New to the program this season is ETSU transfer Javon Richardson, who gets the start at the other wide receiver spot. The 5-11, 160-pound sophomore from Mableton, Georgia, played in four games with the Bucs.
Also listed on the two-deep at receiver are Austin Peay junior transfer Josh Mailander (6-3, 195, Hendersonville, Tenn.) and redshirt freshman Spencer Russell (5-9, 175, Knoxville, Tenn.).
The offensive line will be anchored by SAC Player to Watch Gabe McLamb. The 6-3, 295-pound sophomore from Jacksonville, Florida made nine appearances in the offensive trenches from a year ago.
Junior Nehemiah Storey is slated to be the starting center in the season lid-lifter. The 6-1, 285-pound native of Rockwood, Tennessee played in seven games last season for Tusculum.
Also returning up front are junior tackle Chris Sweeney (Jr., 6-6, 300, West Palm Beach, Fla.), junior guard Jeff Linton (6-5, 315, Rockingham, N.C.) and redshirt freshman tackle Matt Nunley (6-2, 255, Hixson, Tenn.).
Also looking to contribute will be Bethel University sophomore transfer Ramirez Young (6-3, 285, Smyrna, Tenn.), junior Conrad Smith (6-4, 275, Dunwoody, Ga.) and the true freshmen duo of Donovan Dark (6-0, 290, Niceville, Fla.) and Henry Chambers (6-6, 280, Maryville, Tenn.).
The offensive coaching staff experienced some changes during the off-season. Veteran offensive coordinator Brock Pursley enters his first year in Greeneville as he will direct the TU attack. He previously served as offensive coordinator at arch-rival Carson-Newman University as well as former SAC member Brevard College and Clark Atlanta University. He will also mentor the TU running backs.
Also new to the offensive staff and coaching the offensive line is Jake Lassiter. Lassiter previously served on the staff at NCAA-FBS Kennesaw State. Veteran TU assistant Payton Dixon will coach the tight ends this season, while graduate assistant Peyton Derrick has been promoted to the full-time staff and is the quarterback coach. Graduate assistant coach Jaylan Adams is in charge of the receiver corps, while former Tusculum offensive lineman and last year’s team MVP Garrett Priest is a graduate assistant coach this season and will work with the offensive line.
DEFENSE
Tusculum’s defensive depth chart includes a healthy blend of returners to go along with an infusion of new talent with 10 transfers including six student-athletes from the Division I ranks.
Anchoring the defensive line is senior tackle Solomon Maosa. The 6-3, 270-pound native of Nashville, Tennessee, played in 10 games where he totaled 13 tackles from a year ago. He is listed as a SAC Player to Watch and came to TU last season after starring two years at Cumberland University.
Sophomore defensive end Malachi Jim-Lawson (6-4, 260, London, England) appeared in eight games for Tusculum and totaled 25 tackles including four for loss, one sack and tied for the team-lead with four quarterback hurries.
Earning the other starting defensive end spot is junior Dylan Horne. Horne’s season was halted early due to injury for the 6-3, 245-pound product from Ocoee, Florida.
Southern Connecticut State transfer Jamaine Galloway enters his first TU season and will be one of the starting tackles. The 6-2, 290-pound senior from West Haven, Connecticut earned a spot on the Northeast-10 Conference Rookie Team and later was a solid presence on the SCSU defense.
Also joining the defensive front is Murray State University transfer Colbe Haddox (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and former ETSU defensive end Jayson Graham (Jonesborough, Tenn.). Haddox, a 6-2, 245-pound junior, played two seasons with the Racers where he played in 11 career games. Graham saw action last year with the Buccaneers and was an All-Region and All-Conference standout during his prep career at Clinton High School.
Sophomore Taeshawn Clark (6-3, 260, Clarksville, Tenn.) is back in the TU defensive trenches where he totaled 11 tackles including three hits behind the line of scrimmage during his redshirt freshman season in 2024.
True freshman Malachi Jefferson, a 6-0, 275-pound native of Charleston, South Carolina, was a three-time All-State and four-time All-Region honoree at James Island High School.
Also returning up front is 6-2, 240-pound senior Aiden Dark. The Niceville, Florida native tallied 30 tackles in 2024 including a team-best 10 for loss. He also had two sacks and four QB hurries.
The linebacker corps is a talented and deep one for Coach Taylor’s Pioneers with returning starter Rashad Watson anchoring the group. The 5-11, 205-pound junior from Apopka, Florida, led the team last season with his 64 tackles (32 solos, 32 assists) as he started in every game. He tallied six tackles for loss with one sack, while also posting four passes defended including an interception.
Two mid-year transfers will join Watson on the attack in linebackers Tre Mobley and Cam Garnett.
Mobley, a 6-1, 200-pound senior from Ocala, Florida, played the last two seasons at Webber International where he recorded 98 career tackles (62 solos, 36 assists) with a dozen hits for loss, one sack, nine passes defended, one interception, forced two fumbles, recovered a pair of fumbles and blocked a kick. For his efforts, he has been named a SAC Player to Watch.
Garnett, a 6-1, 230-pound senior from Harlem, Georgia, played the past four seasons at ETSU where he logged action in 23 contests.
Sophomore linebackers Ja’Ki Singleton and Jeremiah Williams return for the Pioneers. Singleton, a 5-11, 195-pounder from St. Augustine, Florida, saw action in five games last season. He was a three-time All-County selection during his prep career at St. Augustine High School where he posted 230 career tackles with two sacks, four interceptions, and forced three fumbles. Williams, a 5-11, 210-pound product from Cairo, Georgia, saw limited action in three games with Tusculum in 2024. He was an All-State and All-region pick at Cairo High School and was the Defensive Player of the Year.
True freshman linebacker Greg Williams has been impressive during fall camp. The 6-0, 210-pound rookie from Cincinnati, Ohio was and All-Southwest Ohio selection at Princeton High School where he posted 80 tackles with 18 for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception in his final prep campaign.
Junior linebacker TJ Jingozian (Ocala, Fla.) finished fifth on the squad last year with his 31 tackles including five for loss and a sack. He has seen action in 18 games during his TU career where he has also been credited with a forced fumble and a blocked kick.
New to the linebacker group is Lyon College transfer Mason Davis. The 5-11, 210-pound graduate student from Little Rock, Arkansas, earned All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference first team honors. During his career at Lyon College, he recorded 212 tackles which are the second-most in program history. He also totaled 28 tackles for loss, six sacks, five pass break-ups and returned six interceptions for touchdowns.
The defensive secondary will be balanced with returning players as well as veteran leadership from four-year and two-year programs.
Senior strong safety David Alston (Groveland, Florida) recorded 26 tackles last season including two for loss. Back are sophomore cornerbacks Xavier Gunn and Dayquan Diston. Gunn, a 6-0, 165-pounder from Deerfield Beach, Florida, redshirted last year after making three appearances in his 2023 rookie season including his first collegiate tackle in the South Atlantic Conference Championship Game. Diston, a 5-11, 175-pound native from Lake Butler, Florida, recorded 12 stops in five games last year including 10 solo hits. Diston was an All-Area standout at Union County High School as he was the team leader with seven interceptions.
Junior Jaden Outar comes to Tusculum from Iowa Central Community College. The 5-10, 190-pound native of Miami, Florida started his collegiate career at NCAA-FBS Florida Atlantic University after stellar career at Palmetto High School.
One of the most experienced of the new additions is free safety Jahaad Scales. The 6-0, 195-pound senior from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, played the previous two campaigns at Wofford College after playing 11 games at Old Dominion University.
Missouri Valley transfer DJ Dailey, who will also see action at free safety, was named a SAC Player to Watch this fall. The 5-11, 170-pound sophomore recorded 19 tackles last year at Missouri Valley to go along with his two interceptions and two pass break-ups.
Junior Da’Shawn Elder comes to Tusculum after playing three seasons at MTSU. He played in 22 games with the Blue Raiders, following a glowing prep career at Oconee County High School. The 6-0, 215-pound Watkinsville, Georgia product was an All-State performer and two-time Region Player of the Year. During his final prep season, he finished with 62 tackles with eight for loss to go along with six interceptions.
Redshirt freshman Jasec Smith will see playing time at one of the corner positions. The 6-1, 175-pounder from Toccoa, Georgia signed out of high school at Kennesaw State. He was an All-State first team choice at Stephens County HS where he recorded seven interceptions in his senior campaign including two he brought back for touchdowns.
The defensive coaching staff remains intact from a season ago with Teddy Gaines serving as coordinator while mentoring the defensive backs. Dwight Evans will coach the defensive line, while Reed Smith will be responsible for the outside linebackers. Former Pioneer quarterback Brayden Phillips is now a graduate assistant coach and will be working with the TU secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Tusculum special teams will have an entirely new look with the loss of All-America punter Stefaan Forbes along with the graduation of long-time kicker John Aiden Pittman.
Getting the starting nod at punter and handling kickoff duties as well will be Greeneville native Quinton Brandon. The 6-0, 175-pound sophomore signed with ETSU out of Greeneville High School where he did double-duty at punter and kicker for the Greene Devils. He was the 2023 Region Specialist of the Year as he averaged 40 yards per punt while going 4-of-6 in field goals with a long of 48 yards. He also went 52-of-59 on his extra points and recorded 49 touchbacks on kickoffs.
Redshirt freshman Max Turan (Johnson City, Tenn.) will be handling the place-kicking duties to start the 2025 campaign. The Science Hill High School product went 4-of-6 in field goals in his senior season with the Hilltoppers. He also went 37-of-39 on extra points during that 2023 season.
Juniors Otasowie Dion and John Celestin will be Tusculum’s kickoff return duo. Dion, a 5-11, 190-pounder from Montgomery, Alabama averaged 24.5 yards on his four kickoff returns last season. Celestin will be making his debut on the kickoff return team this year.
Jaden Outar and Ashton Hagens will get the nod on punt returns for the Pioneers.
Senior Caleb Swinehart will once again handle the long-snapping duties for Tusculum for a second straight season. The 6-3, 220-pound native of Erwin, Tennessee has recorded 14 career outings on TU’s special teams’ unit.
THE SCHEDULE
Saturday’s road trip to Bluefield State kicks off a 10-game schedule for the Pioneers. Tusculum will open South Atlantic Conference play on Sep. 6 when the Pioneers host nationally-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne. It will be the first of five home contests at Pioneer Field including Emory & Henry (Sep. 20), Newberry (Oct. 11), Mars Hill (Nov. 1) and Wingate (Nov. 8). TU will be on the road for five games including Bluefield State (Aug. 30), Anderson (Sep. 13), UVA Wise (Sep. 27), Catawba (Oct. 25) and Carson-Newman (Nov. 15).
FOLLOW THE GAME
If you can’t make it to Bluefield for Saturday’s game, fans can follow the action with video and audio links, along with live statistics at www.TusculumPioneers.com.
The long-time radio “Voice of the Pioneers” Brian Stayton along with former TU quarterback Matthew Palazzo will describe all action with the radio pre-game show beginning at 6 p.m.
The radio call of the game will be available locally on WSMG Radio on 95.5 FM and 1450 AM, as well as online at https://jewel955.com/listenlive.
