Featured Image: UT Martin quarterback Jase Bauer (No. 8) hands the ball to running back Chris Franklin (No. 2) during UT Martin’s game against Charleston Southern on Nov. 15, 2025. (Pacer Photo / Kaniya Anthony)

After a rough 1-5 start, the UT Martin Skyhawks football team turned out their season and finished 6-6 overall.

Unfortunately, the 2025-26 season did come to an end with a Week 13 loss to the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. With the season over, let us take a look at who UT Martin’s stars were this season. 

Most Valuable Player: Jase Bauer | Quarterback | Red-shirt Senior

Similar to the mid-season picks, Bauer remains the MVP thanks to his dual-threat ability. Bauer’s passing numbers were impressive with a low turnover number of just two interceptions and an impressive 71.2 completion percentage, but it was his rushing attack that took over games, as Bauer led UT Martin in rushing touchdowns. Bauer was the hero for this offense when they needed him most.

Season Stats: 2,002 passing yards | 71.2% completion | 10 passing touchdowns | two interceptions | 129 carries | 459 rushing yards | 10 rushing touchdowns

Offensive Player of the Year: Thomas Ansley | Running Back | Sophomore 

This is the only pick that changed from the mid-season award picks. Ansley showed potential through the first four weeks of the season but would not receive the workload to be classified as the number one rushing option until Week 5. From then on, Ansley took the job and never looked back, as he averaged 12.75 carries and 62.625 rushing yards a game. 

Ansley, along with fellow sophomore running back Chris Franklin, added a much needed spark to UT Martin’s rushing offense–of course, outside of Bauer. 

Season Stats: 118 carries | 565 rushing yards | two rushing touchdowns | 18 catches | 143 receiving yards | one receiving touchdown

Defensive Player of the Year: Keyshawn Johnson | Linebacker | Junior

There should be no debate here. Johnson was not only the team leader in sacks and not just the Ohio Valley Conference-Big South sack leader, but now the Skyhawk single season record holder with 12. Just when you think he was maybe just a menace on pass plays, Johnson also tallied a conference-leading 16 tackles for loss. Johnson was the type of defender that could take over the game at any moment, a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks and running backs.

Season Stats: 12 sacks | 54 total tackles | 16 tackles for loss | two forced fumbles | one pass defended