Hall of Fame
During his time as an Eagle from 2008-12, Donte Sawyer was one of the most electrifying and standout wide receivers and kick returners to ever don an Eagle uniform – all this from a guy who didn’t start playing wide receiver until his junior high school season.
From Acworth, Ga., Sawyer set the Morehead State career records for catches (199) and yards (2,555), categories he still ranks second in both. He was a two-time First-Team All-Pioneer League selection as well. His quarterback throughout his career, Zach Lewis, was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2024.
While he redshirted his first season in 2008, it didn’t take long for Sawyer to become the Eagles’ go-to receiver and among the PFL’s top targets. By his redshirt sophomore campaign in 2010, he piled up 457 yards in the aerial game and had 468 kick return yards in being named Honorable Mention All-PFL.
Sawyer’s redshirt junior season saw him set the then-MSU single-season record with 12 touchdown receptions, while he also established the then-career record when he caught his 16th career TD catch against Butler. Sawyer led the team with 60 catches for 904 yards and had 715 return yards with one touchdown.
Sawyer’s final season was his best. In 2012, he hauled in 81 passes for 1,024 yards, both MSU single-season records at the time. He led the Pioneer Football League in receptions per game (7.4) and all-purpose yards (159.0) per contest, while ranking second in receiving yards (93.1) and kick return average (26.2). Sawyer recorded four 100+ yard efforts.
Sawyer returned two kicks for scores that season, including an incredible “Music City Miracle”-esque return for a TD in his last-ever MSU game versus Valparaiso.
He earned Third-Team Football Championship Subdivision All-American by Beyond Sports College Network (BCSN), First-Team All-PFL honors from College Sports Madness and was the national Player of the Week by BSCN and College Football Performance Awards.
Sawyer also was an admirable student at MSU, picking up PFL Honor Roll awards three seasons.
