Honestly, if you looked at the Tennessee Tech football roster a few years back, you probably wouldn't have predicted a 3-0 start or a run to the FCS playoffs. It just wasn't the vibe in Cookeville. For a long time, the Golden Eagles were basically the team everyone else circled on their schedule for an easy Saturday. But things changed. Quickly.
Bobby Wilder showed up and everything flipped. It’s wild how one coaching change can shift the entire DNA of a program. He brought this "Aim High" philosophy that sounds like a corporate slogan, but the players actually bought into it. Now, we’re looking at a team that went 11-2 in 2025 and basically steamrolled the OVC-Big South.
The Names Driving the Tennessee Tech Football Roster
You can't talk about this roster without mentioning Kekoa Visperas. He’s a Redshirt Senior quarterback who’s been the engine of this offense. Last season, he put up some stupidly good numbers: 2,764 passing yards and 26 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions. That’s efficiency. He’s not just a pocket passer either; he’s got wheels, racking up 485 rushing yards and a few scores on the ground too.
Then you’ve got the backfield. It’s a two-headed monster situation. Quintell Quinn and Q’Daryius Jennings are both Redshirt Seniors, and they combined for nearly 1,300 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. It’s rare to see two backs so selfless, just trading blows and wearing down defenses until they break in the fourth quarter.
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Defense and Special Teams: The Grit
Defense is where this team actually won their championship. Aaron Swafford is a name you’ll hear a lot. He’s a linebacker who transferred from Navy a while back and has just become a magnet for the football. He led the team with 20 tackles in 2025, which might seem low until you realize how balanced this unit is. They don’t rely on one superstar; they just swarm.
Maurice LaPierre is another guy to watch on the defensive line. He had 8 sacks last year. Eight! That’s a massive number for a guy who often draws double teams. He’s a disruptive force that makes every quarterback in the conference sweat.
- Kekoa Visperas (QB): The leader. High IQ, great arm, sneaky fast.
- Quintell Quinn (RB): Power runner who thrives in the red zone.
- Tre’ Holloway (WR): The deep threat. If you leave him 1-on-1, you’ve already lost.
- London Bironas (K): Yes, that Bironas name. He’s a freshman kicker who is already showing he has the leg for the big moments.
Why the 2026 Shift Matters
The program is moving. Not just figuratively, but literally. Tennessee Tech is prepping for a jump to the Southern Conference (SoCon) in 2026. This is a big deal. The SoCon is a different beast compared to the OVC. It means the Tennessee Tech football roster has to get deeper and more athletic.
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Coach Wilder already signed a five-year extension through 2030, which gives the program some much-needed stability. Recruiting has shifted too. They’re pulling more kids from Florida and Georgia now. You look at the 2025 offers and you see names like Mikkel Skinner and Martels Carter Jr.—guys with high ratings who wouldn't have looked at Cookeville five years ago.
The Transfer Portal Impact
College football is basically free agency now. Tech isn't immune. They brought in guys like TJ Metcalf and Gavin Freeman to fill immediate holes. It’s a delicate balance. You want to keep the "homegrown" talent like Jordan Norman on the edge, but you also need that instant-impact transfer to stay competitive when you're playing teams like Kentucky.
Speaking of Kentucky, that game in November 2025 was a wake-up call. Even though Tech lost 42-10, they didn't look like they belonged in a different universe. They competed. That’s what this roster is built for—competition.
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Looking Ahead: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following this team, keep your eyes on the spring game in April. That’s where the quarterback battle for the post-Visperas era starts to take shape. While Visperas has one more year, the depth chart behind him is young and unproven.
What to do next:
- Watch the Trenches: Pay attention to the offensive line recruits like Ory Williams (6'8", 335 lbs). You can't compete in the SoCon without massive humans up front.
- Track the Transfers: The portal opens and closes fast. If Tech loses a key linebacker, they’ll need to find a replacement within weeks to keep the defensive momentum.
- Tucker Stadium Upgrades: The school is investing in the "front porch" of the university. Better facilities mean better recruits, which leads to a more talented Tennessee Tech football roster.
The era of being a "bottom feeder" is over. Whether they can sustain this success in a tougher conference is the real question, but for now, the Golden Eagles are the team to beat in their corner of the world.