Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
C-USA honors 13 Raiders with four on first team
12/8/2015 2:00:00 PM | Football
Four make All-Freshman squad
MURFREESBORO - Conference USA announced its 2015 All-Conference teams today, as selected by the league's 13 head football coaches. Middle Tennessee (7-5; 6-2) had 13 players recognized with four first team members, two second team picks, and five honorable mention selections. The Blue Raiders also placed four players on the All-Freshman team.
Head Coach Rick Stockstill has now produced 31 first team all-conference players and 26 second team members.
"The best thing about all these players is they are team first guys but are also outstanding individuals," said Stockstill. "All of them have put together rewarding seasons but they will be the first to tell you that winning trumps any individual honor."
The first team selections were linebacker T.T. Barber, safety Kevin Byard, offensive lineman Jaylen Hunter, and wide receiver Richie James.
Barber (Colquitt, GA), who ranks fourth all-time in career tackles at Middle Tennessee, leads the Blue Raiders this season with 89 stops. He also leads the team in tackles for loss with 11.5 and shares the team lead in sacks with 4.0. Barber is a two-time first team All-C-USA pick after winning the honor in 2013 and was a second team pick in 2014.
Byard, a senior from Lithonia, GA, became the programs all-time interception leader earlier this season while also becoming just the seventh player in school history to top 300 tackles. Byard, a first team pick in 2014, leads MT in interceptions this year with four.
Hunter, a senior from Jacksonville, FL, played a vital role in Middle Tennessee producing a 3,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard receiver for the first time in school history. He becomes the first offensive lineman to earn first team honors since Micah James in 2012.
James (Sarasota, FL) turned in the best season of any freshman in Conference USA history with a school record 100 receptions for 1,220 yards and six touchdowns. James is just the second 1,000-yard receiver in MT history.
Second team selections for the Blue Raiders were wide receiver Ed Batties and defensive back Jeremy Cutrer.
Batties' (Fresno, TX) 77 receptions would have been a new school record this year as well if not for James' heroics. The senior also has 960 yards and a school record 13 touchdowns. Batties, who hauled in a school record 13 passes at Illinois, is within reach of becoming just the third player to attain 1,000 receiving yards.
Cutrer (Kentwood, LA), a transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast, made an immediate impact in his first year with the Raider defense. The junior tallied three interceptions, 13 pass breakups and two blocked kicks in 2015.
Honorable mention honorees were long snapper William Eads, linebacker Cavellis Luckett, defensive tackle Pat McNeil, offensive lineman Maurquice Shakir, and quarterback Brent Stockstill.
The league also announced the All-Freshman team and the Raiders had a record four to make the list. Stockstill, James, linebacker Darius Harris, and offensive lineman Chandler Brewer were honored.
Stockstill (Murfreesboro, TN) broke nearly every single-season passing record at Middle Tennessee while setting a new C-USA freshman passing mark. He threw for 3,678 yards and 27 touchdowns to go with a school record seven 300-yard passing games.
James, who had four 100-yard receiving games, ranks third nationally in receptions and leads all freshmen.
Harris (Horn Lake, MS) ranks seventh on the team in tackles with 40 to go with an interception and a forced fumble.
Brewer (Florence, AL) earned starts at guard and tackle in helping pave the way for the programs first 3,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard receiver combination in school history.
2015 C-USA FOOTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB – Brandon Doughty, WKU, Sr.
RB – Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
RB – Jalen Richard, Southern Miss, Sr.
OL – Sebastian Johansson, Marshall, Sr.
OL – Jaylen Hunter, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
OL – Andrew Reue, Rice, Sr.
OL – Cameron Tom, Southern Miss, Jr.
OL – Forrest Lamp, WKU, Jr.
TE – Tyler Higbee, WKU, Sr.
WR – Trent Taylor, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
WR – Richie James, Middle Tennessee, Fr.
WR – Taywan Taylor, WKU, Sr.
DEFENSE
DL – Michael Wakefield, FIU, Sr.
DL – Trevon Coley, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
DL – Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
DL – Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
LB – Evan McKelvey, Marshall, Sr.
LB – T.T. Barber, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
LB – Nick Holt, WKU, Sr.
DB – Richard Leonard, FIU, Sr.
DB – Xavier Woods, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
DB – Kevin Byard, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
DB – Kalan Reed, Southern Miss, Sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Garrett Schwettman, WKU, Sr.
P – Dalton Schomp, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
KR – Deandre Reaves, Marshall, Sr.
PR – Richard Leonard, FIU, Sr.
LS – Lance Schuffert, Southern Miss, Sr.
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
QB – Nick Mullens, Southern Miss, Jr.
RB – Kalif Phillips, Charlotte, Jr.
RB – Ray Lawry, Old Dominion, So.
RB – Ito Smith, Southern Miss, So.
RB – Anthony Wales, WKU, Jr.
OL – Michael Montero, FIU, Jr.
OL – Reggie Bain, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
OL – Darrell Brown, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
OL – Jens Danielsen, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
OL – Michael Selby, Marshall, Jr.
OL – Rashod Hill, Southern Miss, Sr.
TE – David Morgan II, UTSA, Sr.
WR – Ed Batties, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
WR – Zach Pascal, Old Dominion, Jr.
WR – Mike Thomas, Southern Miss, Sr.
DEFENSE
DL – Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte, Jr.
DL – Jarquez Samuel, Marshall, Sr.
DL – Michael Smith, Southern Miss, Sr.
DL – Jason Neill, UTSA, Sr.
LB – Anthony Wint, FIU, So.
LB – Nick Thomason, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
LB – T.J. Ricks, Old Dominion, Jr.
LB – Brian Anderson, Southern Miss, Sr.
DB – Cre'von LeBlanc, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
DB – Bryson Abraham, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
DB – Jeremy Cutrer, Middle Tennessee, Jr.
DB – Bennett Okotcha, UTSA, Sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Jonathan Barnes, Louisiana Tech, So.
P – Tyler Williams, Marshall, Sr.
KR – Kylen Towner, WKU, So.
PR – Deandre Reaves, Marshall, Sr.
LS – Matt Cincotta, Marshall, Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE
QB – Jeff Driskel, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
QB – Brent Stockstill, Middle Tennessee, Fr.
RB – Aaron Jones, UTEP, Jr.
RB – Jarveon Williams, UTSA, Jr.
OL – Mikingson Marsaille, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
OL – Kelly Parfaitt, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
OL – David Mahaffey, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
OL – Josh Robinson, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
OL – Maurquice Shakir, Middle Tennessee, Jr.
OL – Kaydon Kirby, North Texas, Jr.
OL – Will Hernandez, UTEP, So.
TE – Jonnu Smith, FIU, Jr.
TE – Ryan Yurahek, Marshall, So.
TE – Hayden Plinke, UTEP, Jr.
WR – Jenson Stoshak, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
WR – Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech, So.
WR – Paul Turner, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
WR – Davonte Allen, Marshall, Sr.
WR – Zach Wright, Rice, Jr.
WR – Casey Martin, Southern Miss, So.
WR – Kerry Thomas, Jr., UTSA, Jr.
WR – Jared Dangerfield, WKU, Sr.
WR – Nicholas Norris, WKU, Jr.
DEFENSE
DL – Denzell Perine, FIU, Sr.
DL – Vontarrius Dora, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
DL – Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech, Fr.
DL – Gary Thompson, Marshall, Jr.
DL – Pat McNeil, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
DL – Dylan Bradley, Southern Miss, Jr.
DL – Andrew Bolton, Southern Miss, Sr.
DL – Nick Usher, UTEP, Jr.
DL – Marcus Davenport, UTSA, So.
DL – Jontavius Morris, WKU, Sr.
LB – Jens Jeters, UTSA, Sr.
LB – Ocie Rose, Florida Atlantic, Fr.
LB – Beau Fitte, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
LB – D.J. Hunter, Marshall, Sr.
LB – Cavellis Luckett, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
LB – Alex Lyons, Rice, Jr.
LB – Alvin Jones, UTEP, So.
LB – Jimmy Musgraves, UTEP, Sr.
LB – Drew Douglas, UTSA, Sr.
LB – T.J. McCollum, WKU, So.
DB – Jeremiah McKinnon, FIU, Sr.
DB – Jalen Young, Florida Atlantic, Fr.
DB – Kentrell Brice, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
DB – Adairius Barnes, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
DB – Taj Letman, Marshall, Sr.
DB – Corey Tindal, Marshall, Jr.
DB – Tiquan Lang, Marshall, Jr.
DB – Fellonte Misher, Old Dominion, Sr.
DB – D'Nerius Antoine, Southern Miss, Jr.
DB – Michael Egwuagu, UTSA, Jr.
DB – Prince Charles Iworah, WKU,. Sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Jay Mattox, UTEP, Jr.
P – James Farrimond, Rice, Sr.
P – Alex Luna, UTEP, So.
KR – Richard Leonard, FIU, Jr.
KR – Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech, Fr.
LS – Sam Medlock, FIU, Jr.
LS – Darrell Travis, Louisiana Tech, So.
LS – William Eads, Middle Tennessee, Jr.
LS – Nolan Dowling, WKU, So.
2015 C-USA FOOTBALL ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
OFFENSE
QB – Brent Stockstill, Middle Tennessee
RB – Samuel Stewart, Rice
RB – D'Andre Ferby, WKU
OL – O'Shea Dugas, Louisiana Tech
OL – Chandler Brewer, Middle Tennessee
OL – Chris Miles, North Texas
OL – Nick Clarke, Old Dominion
OL – Dennis Edwards, WKU
TE – Cole Ford, UTEP
WR – Richie James, Middle Tennessee
WR – Parker Smith, Rice
DEFENSE
DL – Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
DL – Ryan Bee, Marshall
DL – Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion
DL – Darian Yancey, Southern Miss
LB – Ocie Rose, Florida Atlantic
LB – Azeez Al-Shaair, Florida Atlantic
LB – Darius Harris, Middle Tennessee
DB – Jalen Young, Florida Atlantic
DB – Michael Lewis, UTEP
DB – Nate Brooks, North Texas
DB – Justin Bickham, Rice
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Chris Kirtley, Old Dominion
P – Jake Collins, WKU
KR – Austin Walter, Rice
PR – Warren Redix, UTEP
LS – Casey Winner, Florida Atlantic
Head Coach Rick Stockstill has now produced 31 first team all-conference players and 26 second team members.
"The best thing about all these players is they are team first guys but are also outstanding individuals," said Stockstill. "All of them have put together rewarding seasons but they will be the first to tell you that winning trumps any individual honor."
The first team selections were linebacker T.T. Barber, safety Kevin Byard, offensive lineman Jaylen Hunter, and wide receiver Richie James.
Barber (Colquitt, GA), who ranks fourth all-time in career tackles at Middle Tennessee, leads the Blue Raiders this season with 89 stops. He also leads the team in tackles for loss with 11.5 and shares the team lead in sacks with 4.0. Barber is a two-time first team All-C-USA pick after winning the honor in 2013 and was a second team pick in 2014.
Byard, a senior from Lithonia, GA, became the programs all-time interception leader earlier this season while also becoming just the seventh player in school history to top 300 tackles. Byard, a first team pick in 2014, leads MT in interceptions this year with four.
Hunter, a senior from Jacksonville, FL, played a vital role in Middle Tennessee producing a 3,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard receiver for the first time in school history. He becomes the first offensive lineman to earn first team honors since Micah James in 2012.
James (Sarasota, FL) turned in the best season of any freshman in Conference USA history with a school record 100 receptions for 1,220 yards and six touchdowns. James is just the second 1,000-yard receiver in MT history.
Second team selections for the Blue Raiders were wide receiver Ed Batties and defensive back Jeremy Cutrer.
Batties' (Fresno, TX) 77 receptions would have been a new school record this year as well if not for James' heroics. The senior also has 960 yards and a school record 13 touchdowns. Batties, who hauled in a school record 13 passes at Illinois, is within reach of becoming just the third player to attain 1,000 receiving yards.
Cutrer (Kentwood, LA), a transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast, made an immediate impact in his first year with the Raider defense. The junior tallied three interceptions, 13 pass breakups and two blocked kicks in 2015.
Honorable mention honorees were long snapper William Eads, linebacker Cavellis Luckett, defensive tackle Pat McNeil, offensive lineman Maurquice Shakir, and quarterback Brent Stockstill.
The league also announced the All-Freshman team and the Raiders had a record four to make the list. Stockstill, James, linebacker Darius Harris, and offensive lineman Chandler Brewer were honored.
Stockstill (Murfreesboro, TN) broke nearly every single-season passing record at Middle Tennessee while setting a new C-USA freshman passing mark. He threw for 3,678 yards and 27 touchdowns to go with a school record seven 300-yard passing games.
James, who had four 100-yard receiving games, ranks third nationally in receptions and leads all freshmen.
Harris (Horn Lake, MS) ranks seventh on the team in tackles with 40 to go with an interception and a forced fumble.
Brewer (Florence, AL) earned starts at guard and tackle in helping pave the way for the programs first 3,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard receiver combination in school history.
2015 C-USA FOOTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB – Brandon Doughty, WKU, Sr.
RB – Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
RB – Jalen Richard, Southern Miss, Sr.
OL – Sebastian Johansson, Marshall, Sr.
OL – Jaylen Hunter, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
OL – Andrew Reue, Rice, Sr.
OL – Cameron Tom, Southern Miss, Jr.
OL – Forrest Lamp, WKU, Jr.
TE – Tyler Higbee, WKU, Sr.
WR – Trent Taylor, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
WR – Richie James, Middle Tennessee, Fr.
WR – Taywan Taylor, WKU, Sr.
DEFENSE
DL – Michael Wakefield, FIU, Sr.
DL – Trevon Coley, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
DL – Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
DL – Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
LB – Evan McKelvey, Marshall, Sr.
LB – T.T. Barber, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
LB – Nick Holt, WKU, Sr.
DB – Richard Leonard, FIU, Sr.
DB – Xavier Woods, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
DB – Kevin Byard, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
DB – Kalan Reed, Southern Miss, Sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Garrett Schwettman, WKU, Sr.
P – Dalton Schomp, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
KR – Deandre Reaves, Marshall, Sr.
PR – Richard Leonard, FIU, Sr.
LS – Lance Schuffert, Southern Miss, Sr.
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
QB – Nick Mullens, Southern Miss, Jr.
RB – Kalif Phillips, Charlotte, Jr.
RB – Ray Lawry, Old Dominion, So.
RB – Ito Smith, Southern Miss, So.
RB – Anthony Wales, WKU, Jr.
OL – Michael Montero, FIU, Jr.
OL – Reggie Bain, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
OL – Darrell Brown, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
OL – Jens Danielsen, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
OL – Michael Selby, Marshall, Jr.
OL – Rashod Hill, Southern Miss, Sr.
TE – David Morgan II, UTSA, Sr.
WR – Ed Batties, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
WR – Zach Pascal, Old Dominion, Jr.
WR – Mike Thomas, Southern Miss, Sr.
DEFENSE
DL – Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte, Jr.
DL – Jarquez Samuel, Marshall, Sr.
DL – Michael Smith, Southern Miss, Sr.
DL – Jason Neill, UTSA, Sr.
LB – Anthony Wint, FIU, So.
LB – Nick Thomason, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
LB – T.J. Ricks, Old Dominion, Jr.
LB – Brian Anderson, Southern Miss, Sr.
DB – Cre'von LeBlanc, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
DB – Bryson Abraham, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
DB – Jeremy Cutrer, Middle Tennessee, Jr.
DB – Bennett Okotcha, UTSA, Sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Jonathan Barnes, Louisiana Tech, So.
P – Tyler Williams, Marshall, Sr.
KR – Kylen Towner, WKU, So.
PR – Deandre Reaves, Marshall, Sr.
LS – Matt Cincotta, Marshall, Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE
QB – Jeff Driskel, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
QB – Brent Stockstill, Middle Tennessee, Fr.
RB – Aaron Jones, UTEP, Jr.
RB – Jarveon Williams, UTSA, Jr.
OL – Mikingson Marsaille, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
OL – Kelly Parfaitt, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
OL – David Mahaffey, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
OL – Josh Robinson, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
OL – Maurquice Shakir, Middle Tennessee, Jr.
OL – Kaydon Kirby, North Texas, Jr.
OL – Will Hernandez, UTEP, So.
TE – Jonnu Smith, FIU, Jr.
TE – Ryan Yurahek, Marshall, So.
TE – Hayden Plinke, UTEP, Jr.
WR – Jenson Stoshak, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
WR – Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech, So.
WR – Paul Turner, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
WR – Davonte Allen, Marshall, Sr.
WR – Zach Wright, Rice, Jr.
WR – Casey Martin, Southern Miss, So.
WR – Kerry Thomas, Jr., UTSA, Jr.
WR – Jared Dangerfield, WKU, Sr.
WR – Nicholas Norris, WKU, Jr.
DEFENSE
DL – Denzell Perine, FIU, Sr.
DL – Vontarrius Dora, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
DL – Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech, Fr.
DL – Gary Thompson, Marshall, Jr.
DL – Pat McNeil, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
DL – Dylan Bradley, Southern Miss, Jr.
DL – Andrew Bolton, Southern Miss, Sr.
DL – Nick Usher, UTEP, Jr.
DL – Marcus Davenport, UTSA, So.
DL – Jontavius Morris, WKU, Sr.
LB – Jens Jeters, UTSA, Sr.
LB – Ocie Rose, Florida Atlantic, Fr.
LB – Beau Fitte, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
LB – D.J. Hunter, Marshall, Sr.
LB – Cavellis Luckett, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
LB – Alex Lyons, Rice, Jr.
LB – Alvin Jones, UTEP, So.
LB – Jimmy Musgraves, UTEP, Sr.
LB – Drew Douglas, UTSA, Sr.
LB – T.J. McCollum, WKU, So.
DB – Jeremiah McKinnon, FIU, Sr.
DB – Jalen Young, Florida Atlantic, Fr.
DB – Kentrell Brice, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
DB – Adairius Barnes, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
DB – Taj Letman, Marshall, Sr.
DB – Corey Tindal, Marshall, Jr.
DB – Tiquan Lang, Marshall, Jr.
DB – Fellonte Misher, Old Dominion, Sr.
DB – D'Nerius Antoine, Southern Miss, Jr.
DB – Michael Egwuagu, UTSA, Jr.
DB – Prince Charles Iworah, WKU,. Sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Jay Mattox, UTEP, Jr.
P – James Farrimond, Rice, Sr.
P – Alex Luna, UTEP, So.
KR – Richard Leonard, FIU, Jr.
KR – Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech, Fr.
LS – Sam Medlock, FIU, Jr.
LS – Darrell Travis, Louisiana Tech, So.
LS – William Eads, Middle Tennessee, Jr.
LS – Nolan Dowling, WKU, So.
2015 C-USA FOOTBALL ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
OFFENSE
QB – Brent Stockstill, Middle Tennessee
RB – Samuel Stewart, Rice
RB – D'Andre Ferby, WKU
OL – O'Shea Dugas, Louisiana Tech
OL – Chandler Brewer, Middle Tennessee
OL – Chris Miles, North Texas
OL – Nick Clarke, Old Dominion
OL – Dennis Edwards, WKU
TE – Cole Ford, UTEP
WR – Richie James, Middle Tennessee
WR – Parker Smith, Rice
DEFENSE
DL – Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
DL – Ryan Bee, Marshall
DL – Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion
DL – Darian Yancey, Southern Miss
LB – Ocie Rose, Florida Atlantic
LB – Azeez Al-Shaair, Florida Atlantic
LB – Darius Harris, Middle Tennessee
DB – Jalen Young, Florida Atlantic
DB – Michael Lewis, UTEP
DB – Nate Brooks, North Texas
DB – Justin Bickham, Rice
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Chris Kirtley, Old Dominion
P – Jake Collins, WKU
KR – Austin Walter, Rice
PR – Warren Redix, UTEP
LS – Casey Winner, Florida Atlantic
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
S
/ Football
CB
/ Football
LS
/ Football
LB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
QB
/ FootballRaider Report Week 4 - MTSU vs. Marshall University
Friday, September 19
A look back: 1965 and 1985 Undefeated Blue Raider Football Teams
Wednesday, September 17
MTSU Football at Nevada cinematic recap – 9/13/25
Tuesday, September 16
Derek Mason LIVE: Presented by The Boulevard Bar & Grille Week 4 (Video)
Monday, September 15
