Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Blue Raiders ink 23 after National Signing Day
2/6/2019 3:11:00 PM | Football
PLAYER BIOS
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – National Signing Day concluded Wednesday, and Middle Tennessee got a haul of 23 future Blue Raiders.
Included in the class are 19 soon-to-be freshmen and four junior college transfers. After 14 signed during the early signing period in December, nine more inked their National Letters of Intent Wednesday. Head coach Rick Stockstill said there's still one scholarship available, and they'll fill it soon.
"This is a good day for us," he said. "When you go through a recruiting class like this, there's a lot of people involved in it. I want to thank our coaching staff and our coaching staff's families … everybody who contributed to this recruiting class.
"I thought it was a really good class … and we have one left that we'll sign."
Each signee fills a different need for Middle Tennessee all over the field, and Stockstill and his staff did their best to find guys who are multi-talented
The class includes a quarterback, running back, three wide receivers, four offensive linemen, six defensive linemen, three linebackers and five defensive backs.
"I think all of these guys have a chance to be good players for us," Stockstill said. "You always try to get guys who play multiple sports, because they're developing different skillsets for each sport they play. The more you can do in today's game … it just gives you more flexibility in your calls."
While some of the freshmen coming to Murfreesboro could get a bit of a wakeup call in Division I football, Stockstill is optimistic they'll get immediate impacts from some guys.
Most notably, junior college transfers Randall Johnson (quarterback), Robert Jones (offensive lineman), Jayy McDonald (running back) and Jarrin Pierce (wide receiver) could be ready to step in and contribute immediately.
"If they come in and are the best players, then they'll play," Stockstill said. "We'll give all these guys a chance, and if they're ready to contribute and help us win, they'll play."
This year was the second for the early signing period in December. While it's created some new difficulties for some coaches, Stockstill has liked it so far.
"I think February [Signing Day] is going to be a thing of the past here soon," he said. "I think it helps, especially, programs like us, because you don't get cherrypicked at the end like we used to.
"We also covered a lot of area the last two weeks just on juniors, so we're way ahead. … It gives you an opportunity to do that."
One area Stockstill isn't as high on is the transfer portal.
Starting Oct. 15, 2018, an NCAA rule allows student-athletes to enter their names in a transfer portal without having to receive permission from their current school, allowing coaches from other programs to contact them about transferring. It can make a sticky situation for coaches in some instances.
"I don't know if anybody will ever get used to it," Stockstill said. "Over 2,000 players put their name in that portal. That's a lot of players.
"I saw the other day that people are putting their names in the portal now, the day before signing day. That makes it hard on coaches to manage your roster."
With 23 new guys set to become Blue Raider football players, Stockstill likes where his team sits with spring practice inching closer.
"We're in workouts right now, and the guys are looking great," he said.
Spring ball will start March 12.
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – National Signing Day concluded Wednesday, and Middle Tennessee got a haul of 23 future Blue Raiders.
Included in the class are 19 soon-to-be freshmen and four junior college transfers. After 14 signed during the early signing period in December, nine more inked their National Letters of Intent Wednesday. Head coach Rick Stockstill said there's still one scholarship available, and they'll fill it soon.
"This is a good day for us," he said. "When you go through a recruiting class like this, there's a lot of people involved in it. I want to thank our coaching staff and our coaching staff's families … everybody who contributed to this recruiting class.
"I thought it was a really good class … and we have one left that we'll sign."
Each signee fills a different need for Middle Tennessee all over the field, and Stockstill and his staff did their best to find guys who are multi-talented
The class includes a quarterback, running back, three wide receivers, four offensive linemen, six defensive linemen, three linebackers and five defensive backs.
"I think all of these guys have a chance to be good players for us," Stockstill said. "You always try to get guys who play multiple sports, because they're developing different skillsets for each sport they play. The more you can do in today's game … it just gives you more flexibility in your calls."
While some of the freshmen coming to Murfreesboro could get a bit of a wakeup call in Division I football, Stockstill is optimistic they'll get immediate impacts from some guys.
Most notably, junior college transfers Randall Johnson (quarterback), Robert Jones (offensive lineman), Jayy McDonald (running back) and Jarrin Pierce (wide receiver) could be ready to step in and contribute immediately.
"If they come in and are the best players, then they'll play," Stockstill said. "We'll give all these guys a chance, and if they're ready to contribute and help us win, they'll play."
This year was the second for the early signing period in December. While it's created some new difficulties for some coaches, Stockstill has liked it so far.
"I think February [Signing Day] is going to be a thing of the past here soon," he said. "I think it helps, especially, programs like us, because you don't get cherrypicked at the end like we used to.
"We also covered a lot of area the last two weeks just on juniors, so we're way ahead. … It gives you an opportunity to do that."
One area Stockstill isn't as high on is the transfer portal.
Starting Oct. 15, 2018, an NCAA rule allows student-athletes to enter their names in a transfer portal without having to receive permission from their current school, allowing coaches from other programs to contact them about transferring. It can make a sticky situation for coaches in some instances.
"I don't know if anybody will ever get used to it," Stockstill said. "Over 2,000 players put their name in that portal. That's a lot of players.
"I saw the other day that people are putting their names in the portal now, the day before signing day. That makes it hard on coaches to manage your roster."
With 23 new guys set to become Blue Raider football players, Stockstill likes where his team sits with spring practice inching closer.
"We're in workouts right now, and the guys are looking great," he said.
Spring ball will start March 12.
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
Blue Raider Breakdown Postgame Show - October 8th
Thursday, October 09
MTSU Football vs. Missouri State post-game press conference – 10/8/25
Thursday, October 09
MTSU Football vs. Missouri State post-game press conference – 10/8/25
Wednesday, October 08
Raider Report Game 6 - MTSU vs. Missouri State University
Tuesday, October 07
