Two Golden Eagles named as preseason All-America by USA Football
Tennessee Tech football seniors Tra'Darius Goff and Marty Jones have been named Preseason All-Americans by USA College Football. Goff was named second-team, while Jones was listed on the third-team.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech football seniors Tra'Darius Goff and Marty Jones have been named Preseason All-Americans by USA College Football. Goff was named second-team, while Jones was listed on the third-team.
Goff led the Golden Eagles and ranked second in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2013 with 101 total tackles, becoming the first Tech defensive player since 2002 to record back-to-back 100-tackle seasons. He was a second-team all-OVC selection following the 2013 season, and comes into the 2013 season with 221 career tackles from his inside linebacker position. He has posted 10 games with double-figures in tackles. He came to Tech from Columbia (Tenn.) Central High School, where he led his team to the TSSA Class 5-A state championship and was named both the Most Valuable Offensive Player of the title game and the Most Valuable Defensive Player.
Jones heads into his sixth season on the squad, returning to full-time action in 2013 after two seasons on the sidelines due to injuries. He has used his extra time well, earning two degrees and working toward a third. A free safety from Cincinnati's Sycamore High School, Jones played as a freshman in 2009 and sophomore in 2010. He missed all of 2011 and 2012, and then returned to his starting role in 2013 where he finished fourth in the OVC and second on the team with 98 total tackles. He comes into the season with 243 career tackles in 37 games, and is tops on the team among returnees with eight career interceptions.
Both Goff and Jones were named to the all-OVC team last season, and have been listed on several preseason all-OVC squads for 2014.
The USA College Football All-Americans are selected by members of media organizations (Metropolitan New York Football Writers Association, New England Football Writers Association, Philadelphia Football Writers and the Football Writers of America Association, Lindy's Sports Annuals, Athlon Sports, Phil Steele's, The Sports Network and USA Football News). College head coaches and sports information directors also vote.
Click here to view the complete list of USA Football preseason All-Americans
