Tennessee State has been picked to finish last in the OVC preseason coaches poll for the second straight year, but inside the program, there’s little concern about outside expectations.
TSU is coming off a 2-10 campaign in Reggie Barlow’s first year, a season he described as necessary for long-term growth.
“Things don’t happen to us; they happen for us,” Barlow told WKRN-TV in Nashville at OVC Football Media Day. “Last year was a huge learning lesson as a head coach. Your staff has to be aligned—your support staff, your players. We’ve had the opportunity to recruit the type of guys we’re accustomed to coaching.”
What’s different for Tennessee State in 2026
Tigers players say this offseason already feels different, starting with the time spent together both on and off the field.
The Tigers arrived at media day, represented by running back Zack Simmons-Brown and linebacker Sammy Taylor, all pointing to a more stable and connected team heading into the 2026 season.
“We didn’t have spring practice last year,” Taylor said. “The time we spent together this spring, learning the playbook, that’s going to help us a lot this fall. We’ve also built real bonds—working out together, spending time off the field, just getting closer as a team.”
With a full offseason in place and a roster better aligned with Barlow’s vision, Tennessee State believes it can defy preseason projections and take a step forward this fall.
Despite not being forecast to be at the bottom of the OVC again, Tennessee State did place 14 players on the preseason All-OVC team.
“I’ve been a head coach for going on 19 years, and there has been times when our team was picked last, and we won the conference,” Barlow told the Tennessean.
