Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Spring is time to teach for Franklin and the offense
3/3/2017 9:00:00 AM | Football
Drills begin March 15
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – As Middle Tennessee eyes the opening of spring practice, the Blue Raiders are gearing up to begin the first step at readying for the 2017 season.
On the offensive side of the ball, that preparation will start with finding replacements for some key departures. The Raiders will be tasked at filling three linemen spots, as well as finding a way to replace their all-time single-season leading rusher, I'Tavius Mathers.
Second-year offensive coordinator Tony Franklin would like to answer many of the offense's roster questions by midway through spring practice, which starts March 15 and lasts through April 15.
"We'll know after about two weeks as to whether or not we'll have the chance to replace those guys with guys who are as good or better," he said. "The big thing about spring, for me, is having some guys who are bubble guys that haven't been good enough and giving them the most reps that you can."
Franklin is hoping to see the most progression come from guys along the line. Their play may be the most crucial to the continued success of the MT offense, which set school records in points scored and total offense, among other categories, for the second season in a row in 2016.
"With the offensive line, especially, there's a huge jump from one year to the next for young players," he said. "There are guys who looked below average who you expect to become average or better this year."
In the backfield, fans may see more of a committee in 2017. With Mathers gone, redshirt sophomore Terelle West and redshirt senior Shane Tucker, who is switching from receiver back to running back, will join forces with newcomer Maurice Gordon.
Gordon, a junior college transfer from Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, has been lauded by the coaching staff and is expected to make an impact right away. He was the seventh-ranked JUCO running back in the 2017 class according to 247Sports.
"Maurice coming in was a huge deal for us, because when you lose I'Tavius you need to have someone," Franklin said. "We signed him with the idea that he could play and that he could come in and be dynamic and special. It's just a matter of him getting used to doing the things we do and how we do them and all of that stuff."
While spring practices give guys like Gordon and hopeful linemen a chance to show what they've got, Franklin said they have to be careful about which guys they let play with full physicality. But, he can't sacrifice the best opportunity to teach and experiment with different things.
"It's physical, but I'm also careful depending upon who the players are," he said. "With the guys who need it, you want it to be as physical as it possibly can be every day. With the ones who have nothing to prove by doing that, you take a huge risk. You want to limit that as much as you can.
"This is the most fun coaching time for me, because you're teaching. You don't have the stress of if someone hurts a hamstring; you have to totally change your game plan."
One player who won't be able to get in on the physical drills will be redshirt junior quarterback Brent Stockstill.
The school's all-time leader in passing touchdowns (61) and passing yards per game (303.3) underwent surgery on his left shoulder Feb. 28. He will be ready to participate in summer activities, but will not take part in spring practices.
Stockstill's absence from drills won't be as big of an issue as it seems. Franklin said he had planned to give most of the reps in the spring to redshirt sophomore John Urzua anyway in order to get the backup more of a feel in competitive situations.
"The big thing is I had gone into the spring with the idea that I wanted to give John more than half the reps," Franklin said. "John started one year in high school and has now played five games here. He needs as many reps in competitive situations as he can, so I had originally planned on giving him more than half the reps anyway. I think it's a bonus he gets to do that now.
"Brent will still be there leading the show and everything else, he just won't be taking physical reps."
Spring practice wraps up on April 15.
On the offensive side of the ball, that preparation will start with finding replacements for some key departures. The Raiders will be tasked at filling three linemen spots, as well as finding a way to replace their all-time single-season leading rusher, I'Tavius Mathers.
Second-year offensive coordinator Tony Franklin would like to answer many of the offense's roster questions by midway through spring practice, which starts March 15 and lasts through April 15.
"We'll know after about two weeks as to whether or not we'll have the chance to replace those guys with guys who are as good or better," he said. "The big thing about spring, for me, is having some guys who are bubble guys that haven't been good enough and giving them the most reps that you can."
Franklin is hoping to see the most progression come from guys along the line. Their play may be the most crucial to the continued success of the MT offense, which set school records in points scored and total offense, among other categories, for the second season in a row in 2016.
"With the offensive line, especially, there's a huge jump from one year to the next for young players," he said. "There are guys who looked below average who you expect to become average or better this year."
In the backfield, fans may see more of a committee in 2017. With Mathers gone, redshirt sophomore Terelle West and redshirt senior Shane Tucker, who is switching from receiver back to running back, will join forces with newcomer Maurice Gordon.
Gordon, a junior college transfer from Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, has been lauded by the coaching staff and is expected to make an impact right away. He was the seventh-ranked JUCO running back in the 2017 class according to 247Sports.
"Maurice coming in was a huge deal for us, because when you lose I'Tavius you need to have someone," Franklin said. "We signed him with the idea that he could play and that he could come in and be dynamic and special. It's just a matter of him getting used to doing the things we do and how we do them and all of that stuff."
While spring practices give guys like Gordon and hopeful linemen a chance to show what they've got, Franklin said they have to be careful about which guys they let play with full physicality. But, he can't sacrifice the best opportunity to teach and experiment with different things.
"It's physical, but I'm also careful depending upon who the players are," he said. "With the guys who need it, you want it to be as physical as it possibly can be every day. With the ones who have nothing to prove by doing that, you take a huge risk. You want to limit that as much as you can.
"This is the most fun coaching time for me, because you're teaching. You don't have the stress of if someone hurts a hamstring; you have to totally change your game plan."
One player who won't be able to get in on the physical drills will be redshirt junior quarterback Brent Stockstill.
The school's all-time leader in passing touchdowns (61) and passing yards per game (303.3) underwent surgery on his left shoulder Feb. 28. He will be ready to participate in summer activities, but will not take part in spring practices.
Stockstill's absence from drills won't be as big of an issue as it seems. Franklin said he had planned to give most of the reps in the spring to redshirt sophomore John Urzua anyway in order to get the backup more of a feel in competitive situations.
"The big thing is I had gone into the spring with the idea that I wanted to give John more than half the reps," Franklin said. "John started one year in high school and has now played five games here. He needs as many reps in competitive situations as he can, so I had originally planned on giving him more than half the reps anyway. I think it's a bonus he gets to do that now.
"Brent will still be there leading the show and everything else, he just won't be taking physical reps."
Spring practice wraps up on April 15.
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