Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Spring Position Update: Defensive Line
3/17/2018 5:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee had a lot of question marks along its defensive line heading into 2017 spring practices, but this year the frontline looks much more solidified.
As the Blue Raiders wrap up week one of spring drills, they'll do so with nine players returning that made at least one start along the line last season. Part of that was due to injuries for several linemen, but nonetheless plenty of experience was gained for what was a relatively young group.
With a more-experienced group and less questions to answer, fifth-year MT defensive line coach Tommy West is in store for what he thinks will be a fun spring.
"I want to see us take another step," he said. "We started this new defense a year ago, and I thought we were more aggressive last year, but we still have a ways to go and steps we can take."
Here are the defensive linemen on the roster:
Returning starters
LE Walter Brady, R-Sr., 6-3, 265 (won't participate in spring drills)
Brady won't participate in spring drills because of offseason surgery, but once he gets back to the field he'll likely slot back into the starting left end spot, where he was nine times last season.
The former First Team Freshman All-American missed three games last season due to injury and another half because of a targeting suspension, but when Brady was on the field he proved to be one of the most productive Blue Raider defenders. He was named Honorable Mention All-Conference USA after accumulating 38 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, four breakups and seven hurries.
LE Tyshun Render, R-Jr., 6-4, 245
When Brady was forced out of the lineup last season, Render stepped in for Middle Tennessee and played well.
The Newnan, Georgia, native made four starts and played in all 13 games, racking up 26 tackles, a tackle for loss and two QB hurries in his sophomore season. That followed a freshman year in which he was named to the C-USA All-Freshman team.
Render was a football and basketball star at Westlake High School, collecting 55 tackles, nine sacks and 17 tackles for loss as a senior and earning all-region first team honors as a defensive lineman and second team as a tight end, showing his versatility and athleticism.
LT Malik Manciel, R-Sr., 6-3, 262
Manciel entered the starting lineup last season for the first time and showed some promise alongside Brady, his former teammate at Florence High School in Florence, Alabama. The problem was, like many of his linemen teammates, he was hampered by a few injuries.
Last year's Grinder Award winner for defensive linemen played in 12 games and had 11 starts, finishing with 29 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, a sack, one pass breakup and four QB hurries. He was also named the team's Most Improved Defensive Lineman following last year's spring drills and hopes to have a similar jump this spring.
LT Rakavian Poydras, R-So., 6-1, 303
Two players entered the starting lineup when Manciel was sidelined. The first was Poydras in the Blue Raiders' sixth game against FIU, the first start in his Middle Tennessee career.
Poydras played in all 13 games last season, finishing with just two tackles and .5 tackles for loss.
He was one of MT's better grabs when he signed out of Clarksville High School in Clarksville, Tennessee. As a senior in 2015, the three-star recruit was ranked as the 23rd best prospect in the state by 247Sports after turning in 39 tackles and six sacks, earning all-mid-state first team honors and being voted team MVP. Poydras also played in the 2015 East-West All-Star Classic and was named all-region three times.
LT Ty Nix, R-So., 6-0, 286
Nix started in the left tackle spot in Middle Tennessee's ninth game against UTEP, also the first start of his MT career.
The Murfreesboro native and son of former Blue Raider defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix has shown improvement both years he's been on campus, the first being a redshirt season. He got in on two tackles and one tackle for loss in 2017.
He was a three-year starter at Oakland High School, earning TSWA First Team All-State honors in 2014 and 2015. As a senior, he captained the Patriots' defense and finished with 70 tackles, five sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss, being named Region 2-6A Defensive MVP. He was also a semifinalist for 6A Tennessee Mr. Football.
RT Rosheem Collins, Sr., 6-1, 313
Collins' five starts at right tackle last season were the most by any player at the position.
In his first season after transferring from East Central Community College, the Waycross, Georgia, native played in all 13 games and registered 18 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Before coming to Middle Tennessee, Collins was a standout lineman at East Central, finishing with 44 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and a sack in two years.
RT Jordan Ferguson, So., 6-2, 285
Ferguson was a solid contributor on the line in his first year at Middle Tennessee.
In a Conference USA All-Freshman Team campaign, he played in 12 games with two starts and had 30 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, an interception and two hurries. He was the only non-defensive back to register a pick for the Raiders.
A dynamic athlete, Ferguson lettered in football, basketball and track and field in high school. He played his senior year of football at Norcross High School, where he finished as a three-star recruit and the fourth-best tight end prospect in the state. He had 45 tackles and 7.0 tackles for loss as a senior on the defensive side.
RE Trae Philpots, R-Jr., 6-4, 252
Philpots played in all 13 games last season and earned his first career start against Minnesota in Week 3. He finished with eight tackles, one tackle for loss and two QB hurries.
The Fairburn, Georgia, native is a terrific athlete, proven by his lettering in football, basketball and baseball at Creekside High School. He'll move to defensive end this spring to try and better utilize that athleticism.
RE Jahmal Jones, R-Sr., 6-3, 255
Jones, son of former NFL player Marlon Jones, was Middle Tennessee's most consistent defensive lineman last season.
He played in all 13 games and registered 12 starts at right end, finishing with 33 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a pass breakup and five hurries.
While Jones has been a solidified piece of the lineup the past two years for MT, playing in all 26 games over that span, he maybe hasn't reached his fullest potential yet. As a senior at Norcross High School, he helped the Blue Devils reach a No. 3 national ranking by racking up 102 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, 45 tackles for loss, three hurries and a forced fumble.
Tommy West on the returning starters: "Most of the great defenses that I've been around, the front drove the bus. Hopefully that's what we can be and our experienced guys can be those leaders for us. If you're good up front, you have a chance. We need those guys to make that happen."
The rest of the group
LE Darrius Liggins, R-Sr., 6-4, 233
Like Jones, Liggins has been a mainstay in the Blue Raider lineup the last two seasons, playing in all 26 games.
He's still waiting for his first start, but the senior will provide a lot of experience for the line with an ability to get after the quarterback. His 1.5 sacks last season give him 3.5 for his career, and he also finished last year with 14 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and another QB hurry.
RT Aaron Griffith, R-Jr., 6-0, 291
Griffith took a redshirt season last year after transferring from Laney College, where as a sophomore he earned first team all-conference and all-region honors.
The Union City, California, native will provide another big body at the tackle position.
RT Jordan James, R-Jr., 6-4, 313
James, a LaVergne native who graduated from Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, Tennessee, attended Georgetown College in 2015-16 before transferring to Middle Tennessee last year.
He hasn't competed in any games as a Blue Raider, but at 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds, he's definitely got the frame to be a good defensive lineman.
RE Chris Myers, R-So., 6-6, 256
After redshirting in 2016, Myers saw action in seven games as a redshirt freshman last season, mostly on special teams.
Another LaVergne native, Myers was rated a three-star recruit as a tight end after his senior year at LaVergne High School. His brother is Robert "Snacks" Myers, who was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens and is currently with the Denver Broncos.
LT Jordan Gonzalez, R-So., 6-5, 261
Gonzalez, the team's 2016 Newcomer Ironman of the Year, played in two games last season after redshirting as a freshman in 2016.
He's still rather raw on the football field, due to the fact that he didn't play organized football until he was a senior at Dwyer High School in West Palm Beach, Florida, but he has some talent and is a monster in the weight room.
RT Ja'Kerrius Wyatt, R-Fr., 6-3, 312
Wyatt took a redshirt year in 2017, but the coaching staff is anxious to see what he can do starting this spring.
He was named first team all-state his senior year at Autauga Academy in Prattville, Alabama, also being tabbed All-Metro Player of the Year and the Lineman of the Year.
DL Jordan Branch, Fr., 6-1, 280*
Branch comes to Middle Tennessee from Maury City, Tennessee, where he was a star for Crockett County High School.
The former running back/defensive lineman has a lot of athleticism that could help him see early playing time. He was all-state and all-region as a football player his senior year at Crockett County and also played on the basketball team.
DE Jorden Starling, Fr., 6-6, 235*
A dual-sport athlete who garnered interest from colleges on the basketball court, Starling brings good size and athleticism from McCallie School in Chattanooga.
Starling earned all-state, all-region and Best of Preps honors his senior year.
Tommy West on the rest of the group: "I'll tell you, I think we're going to have some pretty good competition with some of these guys who haven't played a lot in the past. Just because you played last year doesn't guarantee you'll play this year, because we have some guys competing right now. I think that's really healthy for any position."
* denotes freshmen not yet on campus
As the Blue Raiders wrap up week one of spring drills, they'll do so with nine players returning that made at least one start along the line last season. Part of that was due to injuries for several linemen, but nonetheless plenty of experience was gained for what was a relatively young group.
With a more-experienced group and less questions to answer, fifth-year MT defensive line coach Tommy West is in store for what he thinks will be a fun spring.
"I want to see us take another step," he said. "We started this new defense a year ago, and I thought we were more aggressive last year, but we still have a ways to go and steps we can take."
Here are the defensive linemen on the roster:
Returning starters
LE Walter Brady, R-Sr., 6-3, 265 (won't participate in spring drills)
Brady won't participate in spring drills because of offseason surgery, but once he gets back to the field he'll likely slot back into the starting left end spot, where he was nine times last season.
The former First Team Freshman All-American missed three games last season due to injury and another half because of a targeting suspension, but when Brady was on the field he proved to be one of the most productive Blue Raider defenders. He was named Honorable Mention All-Conference USA after accumulating 38 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, four breakups and seven hurries.
LE Tyshun Render, R-Jr., 6-4, 245
When Brady was forced out of the lineup last season, Render stepped in for Middle Tennessee and played well.
The Newnan, Georgia, native made four starts and played in all 13 games, racking up 26 tackles, a tackle for loss and two QB hurries in his sophomore season. That followed a freshman year in which he was named to the C-USA All-Freshman team.
Render was a football and basketball star at Westlake High School, collecting 55 tackles, nine sacks and 17 tackles for loss as a senior and earning all-region first team honors as a defensive lineman and second team as a tight end, showing his versatility and athleticism.
LT Malik Manciel, R-Sr., 6-3, 262
Manciel entered the starting lineup last season for the first time and showed some promise alongside Brady, his former teammate at Florence High School in Florence, Alabama. The problem was, like many of his linemen teammates, he was hampered by a few injuries.
Last year's Grinder Award winner for defensive linemen played in 12 games and had 11 starts, finishing with 29 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, a sack, one pass breakup and four QB hurries. He was also named the team's Most Improved Defensive Lineman following last year's spring drills and hopes to have a similar jump this spring.
LT Rakavian Poydras, R-So., 6-1, 303
Two players entered the starting lineup when Manciel was sidelined. The first was Poydras in the Blue Raiders' sixth game against FIU, the first start in his Middle Tennessee career.
Poydras played in all 13 games last season, finishing with just two tackles and .5 tackles for loss.
He was one of MT's better grabs when he signed out of Clarksville High School in Clarksville, Tennessee. As a senior in 2015, the three-star recruit was ranked as the 23rd best prospect in the state by 247Sports after turning in 39 tackles and six sacks, earning all-mid-state first team honors and being voted team MVP. Poydras also played in the 2015 East-West All-Star Classic and was named all-region three times.
LT Ty Nix, R-So., 6-0, 286
Nix started in the left tackle spot in Middle Tennessee's ninth game against UTEP, also the first start of his MT career.
The Murfreesboro native and son of former Blue Raider defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix has shown improvement both years he's been on campus, the first being a redshirt season. He got in on two tackles and one tackle for loss in 2017.
He was a three-year starter at Oakland High School, earning TSWA First Team All-State honors in 2014 and 2015. As a senior, he captained the Patriots' defense and finished with 70 tackles, five sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss, being named Region 2-6A Defensive MVP. He was also a semifinalist for 6A Tennessee Mr. Football.
RT Rosheem Collins, Sr., 6-1, 313
Collins' five starts at right tackle last season were the most by any player at the position.
In his first season after transferring from East Central Community College, the Waycross, Georgia, native played in all 13 games and registered 18 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Before coming to Middle Tennessee, Collins was a standout lineman at East Central, finishing with 44 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and a sack in two years.
RT Jordan Ferguson, So., 6-2, 285
Ferguson was a solid contributor on the line in his first year at Middle Tennessee.
In a Conference USA All-Freshman Team campaign, he played in 12 games with two starts and had 30 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, an interception and two hurries. He was the only non-defensive back to register a pick for the Raiders.
A dynamic athlete, Ferguson lettered in football, basketball and track and field in high school. He played his senior year of football at Norcross High School, where he finished as a three-star recruit and the fourth-best tight end prospect in the state. He had 45 tackles and 7.0 tackles for loss as a senior on the defensive side.
RE Trae Philpots, R-Jr., 6-4, 252
Philpots played in all 13 games last season and earned his first career start against Minnesota in Week 3. He finished with eight tackles, one tackle for loss and two QB hurries.
The Fairburn, Georgia, native is a terrific athlete, proven by his lettering in football, basketball and baseball at Creekside High School. He'll move to defensive end this spring to try and better utilize that athleticism.
RE Jahmal Jones, R-Sr., 6-3, 255
Jones, son of former NFL player Marlon Jones, was Middle Tennessee's most consistent defensive lineman last season.
He played in all 13 games and registered 12 starts at right end, finishing with 33 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a pass breakup and five hurries.
While Jones has been a solidified piece of the lineup the past two years for MT, playing in all 26 games over that span, he maybe hasn't reached his fullest potential yet. As a senior at Norcross High School, he helped the Blue Devils reach a No. 3 national ranking by racking up 102 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, 45 tackles for loss, three hurries and a forced fumble.
Tommy West on the returning starters: "Most of the great defenses that I've been around, the front drove the bus. Hopefully that's what we can be and our experienced guys can be those leaders for us. If you're good up front, you have a chance. We need those guys to make that happen."
The rest of the group
LE Darrius Liggins, R-Sr., 6-4, 233
Like Jones, Liggins has been a mainstay in the Blue Raider lineup the last two seasons, playing in all 26 games.
He's still waiting for his first start, but the senior will provide a lot of experience for the line with an ability to get after the quarterback. His 1.5 sacks last season give him 3.5 for his career, and he also finished last year with 14 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and another QB hurry.
RT Aaron Griffith, R-Jr., 6-0, 291
Griffith took a redshirt season last year after transferring from Laney College, where as a sophomore he earned first team all-conference and all-region honors.
The Union City, California, native will provide another big body at the tackle position.
RT Jordan James, R-Jr., 6-4, 313
James, a LaVergne native who graduated from Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, Tennessee, attended Georgetown College in 2015-16 before transferring to Middle Tennessee last year.
He hasn't competed in any games as a Blue Raider, but at 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds, he's definitely got the frame to be a good defensive lineman.
RE Chris Myers, R-So., 6-6, 256
After redshirting in 2016, Myers saw action in seven games as a redshirt freshman last season, mostly on special teams.
Another LaVergne native, Myers was rated a three-star recruit as a tight end after his senior year at LaVergne High School. His brother is Robert "Snacks" Myers, who was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens and is currently with the Denver Broncos.
LT Jordan Gonzalez, R-So., 6-5, 261
Gonzalez, the team's 2016 Newcomer Ironman of the Year, played in two games last season after redshirting as a freshman in 2016.
He's still rather raw on the football field, due to the fact that he didn't play organized football until he was a senior at Dwyer High School in West Palm Beach, Florida, but he has some talent and is a monster in the weight room.
RT Ja'Kerrius Wyatt, R-Fr., 6-3, 312
Wyatt took a redshirt year in 2017, but the coaching staff is anxious to see what he can do starting this spring.
He was named first team all-state his senior year at Autauga Academy in Prattville, Alabama, also being tabbed All-Metro Player of the Year and the Lineman of the Year.
DL Jordan Branch, Fr., 6-1, 280*
Branch comes to Middle Tennessee from Maury City, Tennessee, where he was a star for Crockett County High School.
The former running back/defensive lineman has a lot of athleticism that could help him see early playing time. He was all-state and all-region as a football player his senior year at Crockett County and also played on the basketball team.
DE Jorden Starling, Fr., 6-6, 235*
A dual-sport athlete who garnered interest from colleges on the basketball court, Starling brings good size and athleticism from McCallie School in Chattanooga.
Starling earned all-state, all-region and Best of Preps honors his senior year.
Tommy West on the rest of the group: "I'll tell you, I think we're going to have some pretty good competition with some of these guys who haven't played a lot in the past. Just because you played last year doesn't guarantee you'll play this year, because we have some guys competing right now. I think that's really healthy for any position."
* denotes freshmen not yet on campus
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