Fall Previews 3 of 63: MTSU

MTSU: 

Head Coach: Rick Stockstill (57-55)
2014 Record: (6-6, 5-3 CUSA)
Basic Offense: Multiple
Basic Defense: 4-3 Multiple

Offense: 

In a conference with several excellent quarterbacks, the Blue Raiders have a very good one in junior Austin Grammer (221-338/2,557/17TD). Grammer took the starting job early in 2014 and started all 12 games for MTSU. His dual threat ability as evidenced by 442 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground show that he can be elisive in open space. Backing up Grammer is the coach's son in redshirt freshman Brent Stockstill. The younger Stockstill is no slouch himself as a 3-star recruit out of high school. He is the perfect type of player to be ready to come in and replace Grammer if an injury occurs.

Jordan Parker

While set at quarterback, the Blue Raiders are much less settled in the backfield with 2014 leading rusher Reggie Whatley (113/799/7TD) lost to graduation. In steps the trio of Jordan Parker (128/546/2TD), Shane Tucker (97/486/8TD), and Jeremiah Bryson (42/221/6TD). Between the three, that adds up to 267 carries for 1,253 yards and 16 touchdowns. Those are solid overall numbers but must be closer to 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns to give more bite to the rushing attack. Luckily for MTSU, lead blocker Chase Pennycuff is back at fullback for one more year and should open some holes for any of the three running backs looking to carry the ball.

At wide receiver, the Blue Raiders have an solid starter in 2014 leading receiver Ed'Marques Batties (45/474/3TD). Batties did a little bit of everything for MTSU on offense and special teams but does not have that high gear to break the defense as evidenced by his 10.5 yards per catch average. MTSU does have other pass catching options at wide receiver in juniors Terry Pettis (15/241/1TD), Demetrius Frazier (15/165/0TD), and Christian Collis (13/79/1TD) but only Pettis shows the ability to stretch the field. Expect one or more wide receivers from the group of JUCO transfer Rod Ducksworth and seven true/redshirt freshmen to break out this fall. The tight end position is rarely used in the MTSU offensive philosophy but senior Tyler Barrion did catch four passes for 50 yards in 2014.

Even with questions at running back and wide receiver, MTSU is not very worried heading into the 2015 season because an experienced and talented offensive line is back this fall. Led by preseason 1st team All-CUSA lineman and Lombardi Award Watch List member Darius Johnson, the Blue Raiders return three linemen with 8+ starts last fall. Juniors Josh Chester and Daniel Stephens make up the returning starting group. Johnson has moved inside to left guard for 2015 with Rimington Watch List member Chester at center, Stephens as right guard, and redshirt junior Maurquice Shakir at right tackle. Redshirt freshman Carlos Johnson would be a good bet to take over the left tackle postion vacated by Darius Johnson moving inside. David Adams, Jaylen Hunter, and Adam Stickel bring experience at both guard positions with all three making starts in 2014. Junior Hunter Rogers give depth at both tackle positions and will find the field at some point this fall.

Defense: 

The Blue Raiders have a defensive line that returns 36 starts from the 2014 season including 12 from Shaquille Huff and 11 from Patrick McNeil. At the left end position, sophomore Jahmal Jones (14 tkl) is battling junior Chris Hale (13 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 sack) for playing time with Jones looking to be in control heading into the fall. Inside at tackle Huff (28 tkl, 5 tfl, 2 sacks) and McNeill (15 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 sack) will be starting with Jimal McBride (25 tkl, 4.5 tfl, 2.5 sacks) and Raynard Felton (16 tkl, 1 tfl) rotating in throughout the game. All four defensive tackle options are quality players that can stuff the run game and move the pocket in the passing game. The most interesting positional battle is between junior Steven Rhodes (24 tkl, 3 tfl, 2 sacks) and converted linebacker Ykeem Wells (5 tkl). Rhodes seems to be in control of the starting job but Wells may get the call in passing situations due to his athleticism and ability to rush the passer.

T.T. Barber

At linebacker, everything begins and ends with senior weakside linebacker T.T. Barber (72 tkl, 7.5 tfl, 1 sack, 2 INT). The preseason first team All-CUSA member and Lombardi Watch List member has started 28 straight games and was the team's leading tackler last fall. Barber's backup, DJ Sanders (15 tkl, 1 INT), was the breakout linebacker of the offseason and will find a place to play this fall. In the middle, senior Cavellis Luckett (57 tkl, 3 tfl, 2 sacks) returns after a solid 2014 and should be able to hold off redshirt freshman Darius Harris for the starting job. On the strong side, another senior in Trey Wafford (53 tkl, 1 tfl) is a solid player but is not guaranteed a starting spot with junior Anfornee Stewart (14 tkl) and senior James Roberson (25 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 sack) ready to push Wafford to his limits for playing time. It should be a pleasant surprise for MTSU to have some good depth at linebacker this fall.

The Blue Raider secondary returns three players that made all 12 starts in 2014 led by senior strong safety Kevin Byard (66 tkl, 3 tfl, 6 INT). Byard is a preseason first team All-CUSA selection, picked for the Jim Thorpe Watch List, and has made 37 career starts. Jordan Frost-Dixon (6 tkl) and Alex Dale will be ready to play in case of injury but injury is the only way Byard is coming off the field this fall. At the free safety spot, senior Xavier Walker (67 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 INT) made all 12 starts and should not be seriously pushed for playing time. Quay Watt (36 tkl, 1 tfl) is a linebacker making the transition to safety and Nick Beasley is a JUCO transfer just getting his feet wet on the FBS level of football. At cornerback, one side is set with senior Jared Singletary (53 tkl, 2 tfl, 2 INT) having made 20 straight starts at that position. Sophomore Mike Minter (1 tkl) is second on the depth chart and waiting his turn in 2016 to man the left cornerback position. The right cornerback position is the only secondary position up for grabs with injury prone Jamarcus Howard (4 tkl), converted safety Chris Brown (24 tkl), and redshirt freshman Darryl Randolph all looking to earn playing time. All three could see time on defense until one stands out and takes the spot.

Special Teams: 

The Blue Raiders return junior kicker Cody Clark and his 9-15 field goals with a long of 42, 46-46 PAT, and 67 kickoffs with 7 touchbacks for the upcoming season. Sophomore Canon Rooker missed last season with an injury but has the natural ability to keep up with Clark and possibly make Clark work to keep his spot. The real position battle is at punter where either freshman Trevor Owens or freshman Matt Bonadies will win the job. Owens has the benefit of experiencing spring practice with MTSU but either punter could win the job or we could even see both punters get playing time this fall.

Overall:  

6-6 was a pretty decent record last fall for the Blue Raiders but would be a disappointment this fall. On the non-conference slate, MTSU should roll to an easy win at home versus Jackson State to start the season. That game is the only gimme out of conference with trips to Alabama and Illinois on the schedule as well as a home game versus Vanderbilt. The Alabama and Illinois games should be penciled in as losses although MTSU can play Illinois well and could be in position for an upset. The Vanderbilt game could go either way but it is vitally important for MTSU to either beat Illinois or Vanderbilt with a tough CUSA schedule to follow.

In conference play, MTSU should be able to take care of Charlotte, Florida International, Florida Atlantic even though the Blue Raiders lost to FIU in Miami last fall. Games versus North Texas and UTSA will most likely go to MTSU but the a much improved North Texas team coming to Murfreesboro this fall is a tricky game. With WKU, Louisiana Tech, and Marshall on the slate, it will be tough for the Blue Raiders to get a win. WKU is the most likely to fall to MTSU but with the game being in Bowling Green, that will not be easy. One thing is for certain, a wild game with lots of points scored. The last four meetings have gone 27-26 MTSU, 36-33 WKU, 34-29 MTSU, and 50-47 MTSU.

In the end, the schedule sets up for the Blue Raiders to pull out a 7-5 regular season with the Vanderbilt game being the swing game of the season. Not only would that game push MTSU into over .500 territory but it could give the Blue Raiders the momentum to push eight or even more wins this fall.