With eyes fixed and ears perked, the media turned out for a press conference held by UTM Football Head Coach Matt Griffin on Wednesday.

Griffin announced the 16 men who have signed and returned commitment offers from UTM to come here and play football from seemingly all areas east of the Mississippi River. Some may possibly see action as soon as next season.

“My philosophy is the best player plays,” said Griffin. I don’t care if he is a senior or a freshman, best player plays and that’s that.”

Griffin has come to UTM to try to straighten out a football program that has been in desperate need of an overhaul over the past year.

Though the Skyhawks Record was the same last season as the year before, many have a new enthusiasm about Skyhawk Football.

Griffin started strong in his first season by sporting a new style of offense that UTM fans came to love.

By taking more to the air than running the ball, many fans find the games more worth watching. That could become a very good thing, because fan attendance and support are things that have been lacking in the past few years.

An air-oriented style of offense wasn’t the only gift that Griffin has brought to UTM. Last season he and his Skyhawks grabbed the school’s first homecoming game in nine years. A feat many thought could not be accomplished in his first season.

With a new style of offense in mind, Griffin landed some promising talents to help with the transition. Out of the 16 that have committed so far, eight of them are lined up on the offensive side of the ball.

Offensive players that have committed are: Jamal Akbar, 6-foot, 180 lbs. wide receiver from Cincinnati, Ohio; Donald Chapman, 6-foot-3-inch., 180 lbs. running back from Marietta, Ga.; Adam Hansen, 6-foot-4- inch, 285 lbs. offensive lineman from Brentwood, Tenn.; Drew Jackson, 6 foot- 2 inch, 207 lbs. quarter back from Oneonta, Ala.; Brandon Janco, 6-foot-2-inch, 207 lbs. quarterback from Gallatin, Tenn.; Josh Plomin, 6-foot-3inch, 250 lbs. tight end from Sandy Spring, Md.; Kevin Rondo, 5-foot-10inch, 180 lbs. running back from Columbus, Ohio; and Chris Spinner, 6-foot-2-inch, 230 lbs. fullback from Bedford, Va.

Not only did the Skyhawks grab a host of possible talent on the offensive side of the ball, but attention was paid to the defense as well. Seven of the 16 hold defensive specialties that are important for any team to have.

The defensive players that have committed so far are: Nathan Bryant, 6-foot-3-inch, 250 lbs. defensive tackle from Bedford, Va.; Joe Despaux, 6-foot, 190 lbs. free safety from Harrison, Tenn.; Anthony Ivy, 6-foot, 175 lbs. corner back from Clarksville, Tenn.; Kyle Pavlick, 6-foot-3-inch, 245 lbs. defensive lineman from Orland Park, Ill.; Adrian Pruitt, 6-foot, 200 lbs. defensive end from Covington, Tenn.; James Savannah, 5-foot-10-inch, 200 lbs. line backer from Marietta, Ga.; and Trey Walker, 5-foot-seven-inch, 175 lbs. corner back from Memphis, Tenn.

The Skyhawks also managed to pick up a recruit at an often overlooked, yet important position. Bryan Harris, 6-foot-3-inch, 200 lbs kicker from Florissant, Mo.

With 16 young, and eager new faces joining the line up, it is hard to cast a shadow over the future of what appears to be an up-and-coming Skyhawk Football Team.

“We are extremely excited about the talented young men who have committed to the University of Tennessee at Martin,” said Griffin. “We picked up a couple corners I’m excited about and a running back that can run the ball.”

With all the talent in this new recruiting class that Griffin is touting, he still laid most of the credit on his staff.

“I would like to recognize the efforts of our assistant coaches who did such a great job identifying these student athletes,” said Griffin. “ In addition, I would like to thank the many individuals from out campus community who helped us highlight our beautiful campus. We are extremely fortunate to have support from Chancellor (Nick) Dunagan, Athletics Director Phil Dane, the faculty, and UT Martin students.”