MTSU Recruiting Outlook

MTSU:

• Dontavious Heard, Phoenix College (Phoenix, AZ), CB, 6-1/185  
• Khalil Brooks, Mays (Atlanta, GA), CB, 5-10/180  
• Myles Harges, Itawamba C.C. (Fulton, MS), OLB, 6-2/220
• Nick Beasley, Copiah-Lincoln C.C. (Wesson, MS), S, 6-2/205
• Rodregus Ducksworth, Jones County J.C. (Ellisville, MS), WR, 6-1/185
• Ruben Garnett, Aquinas (Augusta, GA), APB, 5-8/175
• Terelle West, Clay-Chalkville (Pinson, AL), ATH, 5-9/160
• Josh Fannin, Mill Creek (Hoschton, GA), OG, 6-3/290 
• Vernon Walker, Dr. Phillips (Orlando, FL), S, 6-1/195  
• Chandler Brewer, Central Sch (Florence, AL), OG, 6-6/296 
• Isiah Upton, East Literature Magnet School (Nashville, TN), ATH, 6-1/178 
• Peter Bailey, Hinds C.C. (Raymond, MS), SDE, 6-4/260 
• John Urzua, North Gwinnett (Suwanee, GA), PRO QB, 6-2.5/166  
• Tyshun Render, Westlake (Atlanta, GA), TE, 6-4/218
• DeAndre Ford, Creekside (Fairburn, GA), OT, 6-5/300  
• Jonathan Roth, Fulton (Knoxville, TN), WDE, 6-5/270  
• Chris Melton, Lee County (Leesburg, GA), S, 6-1/190  
• Trae Philpots, Creekside (Fairburn, GA), SDE, 6-3/230  

According to 247 sports, the Blue Raiders have the 96th ranked recruiting class in the nation, ranking them 8th in Conference USA. MTSU have recruits from 6 different states but only two of their 18 commits are from within the state of Tennessee. MTSU raided Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama for a combined 14 of their 18 recruits in staying in the southeast for the most part.

The Blue Raiders ended the 2014 season with a .500 record at 6-6, never quite able to put together a lasting winning streak of any time. Only once did MTSU win back to back games with wins over Old Dominion and Southern Miss in games five and six of the season before losing 4 of their final six games to end up at 6-6. The Blue Raiders went an impressive 5-3 in conference play but lost games to Minnesota, BYU and Memphis in non-conference play while defeating FCS cellar dweller Savannah State.

Returning Starters (6 or more starts in 2014):
Offense (7):
Austin Grammer (12 starts, 442 rushing, 6 TD, 2,557 passing, 17 TD, QB), Jordan Parker (9 starts, 546 rushing, 2 TD, 11 catches, 112 yards, 1 TD, RB), Josh Chester (12 starts, OL), Daniel Stephens (10 starts, OL), Darius Johnson (12 starts, 2nd team All-CUSA, OL), Ed'Marques Batties (11 starts, 45 catches, 474 yards, 3 TD, WR), Terry Pettis (6 starts, 15 catches, 241 yards, 1 TD, 8.6 pr average, 1 TD, WR)

Defense (8):
Jared Singletary (12 starts, 53 tkl, 2 tfl, 2 INT, 6 pbu, 2 fr, 1 ff, CB), Trey Wafford (9 starts, 53 tkl, 1 tfl, 3 fr, LB), Alexandro Antoine (7 starts, 14 tkl, 1 tfl, 0.5 sacks, DE), Kevin Byard (12 starts, 66 tkl, 3 tfl, 6 INT, 4 pbu, 2 ff, 1 blocked kick, 1st team All-CUSA, DB), T.T. Barber (12 starts, 72 tkl, 7.5 tfl, 1 sack, 2 INT, 1 pbu, 2 ff, 2nd team All-CUSA, LB), Xavier Walker (12 starts, 67 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 INT, 4 pbu, 1 ff, DB), Shaquille Huff (12 starts, 28 tkl, 5 tfl, 2 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 ff, DT), Patrick McNeil (11 starts, 15 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 sack, Honorable mention All-CUSA, DT)