In the Lindy’s Sports College Football National 2017 Preview, the Tuskegee Golden Tigers are ranked No. 22 in the preseason Division II Top 25 poll, and two returning players have been named to the Lindy’s preseason All-American team.
Senior Linebacker Osband Thompson earned a spot on Lindy’s 2017 All Division II Team and senior defensive back Jonah McCutcheon made the second team defensive unit. Osband, last season’s SIAC Defensive Player of the Year and the D2CCA Super Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year helped Tuskegee to the second round of the playoffs. He was one of 81 players named as a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award, given annually to the best defensive player among NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA student-athletes.
Last fall, Thompson, was named to five All-America teams which included selections to the First Team by HBCU Gameday, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), BOXTOROW and D2CCA. The junior was awarded for his 137 tackle performance in 2016. Thompson recorded 67 solo tackles on the year, including 11.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also forced three fumbles, intercepted one pass, recorded four pass breakups and three quarterback hurries.
McCutcheon was a First Team selection for the Golden Tigers at the end of last season. He finished with eight tackles in conference play (16 overall) from his safety position for the second-ranked defense in all of NCAA Division II. He recorded a pair of interceptions, including returning one 44 yards against Central State for his first career touchdown. The junior recorded five pass breakups in conference play, and finished with eight overall. In the same game he returned an interception for a touchdown, McCutcheon also recovered a fumble on the opening play from scrimmage. He was part of a defense that allowed opponents to throw for just 145 yards per game.
Tuskegee opens the season in Montgomery against rival Alabama State Saturday, September 2nd at 7 p.m. This marks the first meeting between the two since 2012.
Courtesy: Tuskegee Athletics
