ETSU football ranked 6th in preseason coaches poll at SoCon Media Day

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WJHL) — For the second time in three years, the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Bucs were the new kids on the block at the 2024 SoCon football media day.

Head Coach Tre Lamb enters his first year as head coach of the Bucs, one of two new coaches in the league this season. He told News Channel 11 that he’s familiar with being one of the youngest coaches in the room.

“In the head coach meetings, me and Coach Drayton didn’t have glasses on,” Lamb said. “Everybody else had their readers on. So, you know, I’m used to it. I’ve been the young guy. I’ve been the new kid before.”

When the pre-season poll was released, the Bucs were picked 6th in the league, but that’s not surprising when you have 55 transfers.

“I’m excited to see how we respond for that season,” said Sophomore QB Jaylen King. “Last year, you know, we’ve got a bunch of new guys who weren’t here last year, but they go through any part of the teams already, see what we do.”

The Bucs did have three players named First Team all-conference, offensive lineman Luke Smith, punter Nate Brackett and safety Chris Hope, who says this team has nowhere to go but up.

“I go out there and play my game,” Hope said. “I’m thankful that the conference thinks that much of me, but it’s just my play. If I play, I’m going to be up there regardless.”

“I think everybody in this room kind of thinks we’re the mystery right now,” Lamb said. “You know, we’re kind of the outlier, we’re the one with a new coach and a new team. So people are probably a little nervous, but also, you know, pretty confident that we may not be good again.”

The Bucs will be on the field a week from Tuesday, and their first game of the season against Appalachian State in Boone, NC is just 38 days away.

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