Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Raiders set to begin spring drills Thursday
3/16/2016 4:56:00 PM | Football
Stockstill welcomes back 40 lettermen
MURFREESBORO – Coming off its seventh bowl eligible season in 10 years and fifth bowl game, Middle Tennessee will return to the practice field Thursday for the start of spring drills. Thursday's practice will begin at 3:30 PM on the Blue Raider practice field.
The Blue Raiders will practice on March 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29 and 31, and will hit the field in April on the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 14th, and 16th. The Blue-White Spring Game is set for April 16 at 1 PM inside Floyd Stadium.
"We have had a really productive off-season program and a lot of credit goes to Jason (Spray) and his staff," said Head Coach Rick Stockstill. "I think we are a stronger team because we have a number of guys who have had strength gains and you can see their bodies changing, which is a positive.
"We also utilized the two hours per week allowed by the NCAA so we could install our offense and defense. So going into the first day of practice the guys should have a good grasp of what we want to do on both sides of the ball.
"I'm excited to get back on the field. Spring is a great time because you don't have the stress and pressure of game week, which enables you to slow down your teaching. I am anxious to see the younger guys who were redshirted and the guys who played sparingly so we can gauge their improvement. It will be a very competitive spring."
Middle Tennessee returns 40 lettermen, including six starters on offense and five starters on defense while the coaching staff welcomes three new members. Stockstill added offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, wide receivers coach Kez McCorvey and running backs coach Jeff Beckles.
Offensively, the Blue Raiders welcome back 18 lettermen and six starters including quarterback Brent Stockstill, receivers Richie James and Terry Pettis, and linemen Chandler Brewer, Maurquice Shakir and Daniel Stephens.
Only three offensive players will not go through spring drills due to injuries. Running back J'Vonte Herrod, wide receiver Sean Smith and wide receiver Rod Ducksworth will not practice while recovering from offseason surgery.
Stockstill, a redshirt sophomore, will drive the Blue Raiders' potent offensive attack. The Murfreesboro native is coming off a record-setting season with 4,005 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and was crowned C-USA's Freshman of the Year.
The Blue Raiders also return two of Stockstill's biggest weapons in James and Pettis. James, a freshman All-American last year, reeled in a school record 108 receptions for 1,346 yards and eight touchdowns, while Pettis enjoyed his best year as a Blue Raider. Pettis ranked eighth nationally with a 21.1 yards per catch average.
Up front, the offense returns three starters in Brewer, Shakir and Stephens. Brewer was on the C-USA All-Freshman team after starting 11 games, while Shakir was an honorable mention All-C-USA pick. Stephens, who has seen starts at guard and center, has played in 33 career games.
The receiving corps returns leading pass catcher Richie James, Terry Pettis and Demetrius Frazier. James had a monster year in 2015 with 108 catches for 1,346 yards and eight touchdowns, while Pettis had a career year with 29 grabs for 612 yards. Frazier showed much improvement by snaring a personal-high 28 catches.
Defensively, Middle Tennessee returns 18 lettermen and five starters. Three starters return up front in defensive end Steven Rhodes, defensive end Chris Hale and tackle Shaquille Huff but there's also a lot of experience with guys like Jimal McBride, Raynard Felton and Justin Akins. Rhodes will be out for the spring while recovering from surgery.
The Blue Raiders lost all three starting linebackers in T.T. Barber, Trey Wafford and Cavellis Luckett but the coaches like what is waiting in the wings. DJ Sanders, Myles Harges, Chris Melton and Darius Harris all have experience and playmaking ability.
In the secondary, the Blue Raiders return two starters in cornerbacks Mike Minter and Jeremy Cutrer. Minter started 11 games on the right side last season, adding 55 tackles and nine pass breakups. Cutrer earned eight starts but had three interceptions and a team-high 13 pass breakups.
Starting safeties Kevin Byard and Xavier Walker have departed so one of the biggest question marks on defense will be their replacements. Alex Dale and Jovante Moffatt will have a lot to say about who are the next starters but keep an eye out for Darryl Randolph and Vernon Walker.
The Blue Raiders will practice on March 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29 and 31, and will hit the field in April on the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 14th, and 16th. The Blue-White Spring Game is set for April 16 at 1 PM inside Floyd Stadium.
"We have had a really productive off-season program and a lot of credit goes to Jason (Spray) and his staff," said Head Coach Rick Stockstill. "I think we are a stronger team because we have a number of guys who have had strength gains and you can see their bodies changing, which is a positive.
"We also utilized the two hours per week allowed by the NCAA so we could install our offense and defense. So going into the first day of practice the guys should have a good grasp of what we want to do on both sides of the ball.
"I'm excited to get back on the field. Spring is a great time because you don't have the stress and pressure of game week, which enables you to slow down your teaching. I am anxious to see the younger guys who were redshirted and the guys who played sparingly so we can gauge their improvement. It will be a very competitive spring."
Middle Tennessee returns 40 lettermen, including six starters on offense and five starters on defense while the coaching staff welcomes three new members. Stockstill added offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, wide receivers coach Kez McCorvey and running backs coach Jeff Beckles.
Offensively, the Blue Raiders welcome back 18 lettermen and six starters including quarterback Brent Stockstill, receivers Richie James and Terry Pettis, and linemen Chandler Brewer, Maurquice Shakir and Daniel Stephens.
Only three offensive players will not go through spring drills due to injuries. Running back J'Vonte Herrod, wide receiver Sean Smith and wide receiver Rod Ducksworth will not practice while recovering from offseason surgery.
Stockstill, a redshirt sophomore, will drive the Blue Raiders' potent offensive attack. The Murfreesboro native is coming off a record-setting season with 4,005 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and was crowned C-USA's Freshman of the Year.
The Blue Raiders also return two of Stockstill's biggest weapons in James and Pettis. James, a freshman All-American last year, reeled in a school record 108 receptions for 1,346 yards and eight touchdowns, while Pettis enjoyed his best year as a Blue Raider. Pettis ranked eighth nationally with a 21.1 yards per catch average.
Up front, the offense returns three starters in Brewer, Shakir and Stephens. Brewer was on the C-USA All-Freshman team after starting 11 games, while Shakir was an honorable mention All-C-USA pick. Stephens, who has seen starts at guard and center, has played in 33 career games.
The receiving corps returns leading pass catcher Richie James, Terry Pettis and Demetrius Frazier. James had a monster year in 2015 with 108 catches for 1,346 yards and eight touchdowns, while Pettis had a career year with 29 grabs for 612 yards. Frazier showed much improvement by snaring a personal-high 28 catches.
Defensively, Middle Tennessee returns 18 lettermen and five starters. Three starters return up front in defensive end Steven Rhodes, defensive end Chris Hale and tackle Shaquille Huff but there's also a lot of experience with guys like Jimal McBride, Raynard Felton and Justin Akins. Rhodes will be out for the spring while recovering from surgery.
The Blue Raiders lost all three starting linebackers in T.T. Barber, Trey Wafford and Cavellis Luckett but the coaches like what is waiting in the wings. DJ Sanders, Myles Harges, Chris Melton and Darius Harris all have experience and playmaking ability.
In the secondary, the Blue Raiders return two starters in cornerbacks Mike Minter and Jeremy Cutrer. Minter started 11 games on the right side last season, adding 55 tackles and nine pass breakups. Cutrer earned eight starts but had three interceptions and a team-high 13 pass breakups.
Starting safeties Kevin Byard and Xavier Walker have departed so one of the biggest question marks on defense will be their replacements. Alex Dale and Jovante Moffatt will have a lot to say about who are the next starters but keep an eye out for Darryl Randolph and Vernon Walker.
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