Courtesy of Middle Tennessee State Athletics
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee head football coach Rick Stockstill announced today the signing of 20 players to scholarship agreements on National Signing Day.
"I am really pleased with this class as we brought in high character guys who will represent our University in a positive manner," said Stockstill. "It is a very athletic group and I really like their growth potential. The skill and combo guys run well and the linemen are an overall athletic group.
"We still have five scholarships available due to the loss of four guys that I just found out about in early January and a fifth with the career-ending surgery for Jake Padrick. I did not feel confident rushing in to take guys who we had not fully evaluated, but we will utilize those scholarships before August."
The Blue Raiders inked players from eight different states with four each coming from Tennessee, Georgia, and California, three from Florida, two from Alabama, and one each from Colorado, Louisiana, and South Carolina. Overall, 13 signees come from the high school ranks.
Stockstill and his staff addressed the loss of five starters on defense by signing 11 players on that side of the ball. The Blue Raiders brought in four defensive linemen, four linebackers, and three defensive backs.
"We lost Chris McCoy and Brandon Perry up front so it was critical for us to bring in some guys along the defensive line," added Stockstill. "It's not easy finding linemen and I think we have done a good job signing guys the last two years at that position. We still need to sign another cornerback since we lost Jawan Carson and Hakeem Johnson prior to their eligibility expiring."
Offensively, the Blue Raiders added four linemen, four receivers, and a quarterback.
"I like what we added on offense but we still need to sign two more receivers and possibly an offensive lineman or long snapper," Stockstill said.
The Blue Raiders, who return 14 starters next year, will begin spring practice on March 15 with the Blue-White Spring Game set for April 10 at Floyd Stadium.