It’s turned out to be quite a summer for former Seminole High School football and basketball standout Oshae Baker as it has been announced that he has been named to numerous Preseason Football Watch Lists prior to the 2024-2025 season.
Here is a recap of some of his honors:
* University of Tennessee-Martin senior cornerback Oshae Baker has been named to the FCS Football Central Preseason All-American Second Team.
The All-American team consists of 78 players representing 44 teams and all 13 FCS conferences.
A native of Sanford, Baker garnered numerous all-conference honors last season – including being named to the Big South-OVC Football Association first team. The defensive back played and started in all 11 games for the Skyhawks and helped the program to their third consecutive league championship.
Splitting time between cornerback and safety over his standout career, Baker, who was named a Freshman All-American back in 2021, has compiled 168 total tackles while recording 15 tackles for loss. The playmaker ranks first in program history with 32 passes defended – including 26 pass breakups and six interceptions. Last season he racked up 49 total tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss while tallying 10 pass breakups and one interception.
Last season Baker earned Big South-OVC Football Association first-team honors after compiling 49 tackles (36 solo) with 6.5 tackles for loss and 11 passes defended. His played helped UT Martin to a share of its third-straight Conference Championship.
Baker had a season-high 10 tackles against Missouri State, including 1.5 tackles for loss. He forced a fumble against No. 1 ranked Georgia and had an interception against HCU. He also returned 18 punts for the Skyhawks, including a season-long of 25 yards against Charleston Southern.
* Baker has been named the lone Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Association player named to the Watch List for the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl.
The East-West Shrine Bowl is a best-in-class all-star event that will take place AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January 30, 2025. Players will be coached by NFL coaches, in an NFL facility, and will have access to NFL-level resources, facilities, player-friendly schedules, and opportunities at the highest level.
The Watch List includes the best all-star game eligible players from all levels of college football, handpicked by their scouts. The aim is for this Shrine Bowl 1000 to serve as a look into the scouting process, as well as begin to preview college players who are currently all-star game eligible for the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl and 2025 NFL Draft class.
* Preseason honors continue to roll in for Baker as he has been named to the preseason watch list for the prestigious 2024 Stats Perform FCS Buck Buchanan Award.
The 2024 Buchanan Award will be presented after the season to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football. The award is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious "Buck" Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career.
All 13 FCS conferences are represented on the watch list, which includes 10 past finalists.
UT Martin opens the season on Saturday, August 31, against Big 12 member Kansas State.
