Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Spring Position Update: Offensive Line
3/15/2019 9:00:00 AM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – New leaders are needed along Middle Tennessee's offensive line with the graduation of three key members.
Carlos Johnson, Robert Behanan and Chandler Brewer (2018 All-Conference USA First Team member) are gone, taking with them 141 career games played and 116 starts combined as well as plenty of leadership that will have to be replaced.
This spring, seventh-year offensive line coach Rick Mallory and fourth-year offensive coordinator Tony Franklin will get to see guys take new roles across the line. Seniors Josh Fannin and Amir Luckett will likely have solidified spots at center and tackle, respectively, but the other three starting slots are open. Fannin also won't participate in spring drills.
Just some of the linemen that will take significant reps this spring alongside Luckett will be redshirt senior Angelo Owens, redshirt juniors Matt Martin and Will Gilchrist, redshirt sophomore D.J. Delfendahl and redshirt freshman Marcus Greer. Expect to see others get some looks, as well.
"For a lot of these guys, this is our first chance to actually work with them and show what they do," Mallory said. "They all had a good offseason, and we're encouraged about the attitude and work they did in the weight room.
"What's really good about these guys is they all really like playing football. That's exciting to see."
Incoming freshmen Adam Derry, Dorian Hinton and Steven Losoya III and junior college transfer Robert Jones will create competition once they arrive during the summer, but the returners will get a chance to prove themselves in March and April.
"It's hard to find competition nowadays, but we have some guys who really care about starting and about playing," Mallory said. "There's a lot of pride about these guys, and that competition will bring the best out of them. That just makes everybody better."
Here are some names to keep an eye on as spring practice begins:
Josh Fannin, R-Sr., 6-3, 266
Amir Luckett, Sr., 6-2, 294
Angelo Owens, R-Sr., 6-4, 293
Matt Martin, R-Jr., 6-3, 283
Jack Mitchell, R-Sr., 6-2, 303
Marcus Greer, R-Fr., 6-3, 285
Will Gilchrist, R-Jr., 6-3, 276
D.J. Delfendahl, R-So., 6-4, 284
Eric Golston, R-Sr., 6-3, 307
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.
Carlos Johnson, Robert Behanan and Chandler Brewer (2018 All-Conference USA First Team member) are gone, taking with them 141 career games played and 116 starts combined as well as plenty of leadership that will have to be replaced.
This spring, seventh-year offensive line coach Rick Mallory and fourth-year offensive coordinator Tony Franklin will get to see guys take new roles across the line. Seniors Josh Fannin and Amir Luckett will likely have solidified spots at center and tackle, respectively, but the other three starting slots are open. Fannin also won't participate in spring drills.
Just some of the linemen that will take significant reps this spring alongside Luckett will be redshirt senior Angelo Owens, redshirt juniors Matt Martin and Will Gilchrist, redshirt sophomore D.J. Delfendahl and redshirt freshman Marcus Greer. Expect to see others get some looks, as well.
"For a lot of these guys, this is our first chance to actually work with them and show what they do," Mallory said. "They all had a good offseason, and we're encouraged about the attitude and work they did in the weight room.
"What's really good about these guys is they all really like playing football. That's exciting to see."
Incoming freshmen Adam Derry, Dorian Hinton and Steven Losoya III and junior college transfer Robert Jones will create competition once they arrive during the summer, but the returners will get a chance to prove themselves in March and April.
"It's hard to find competition nowadays, but we have some guys who really care about starting and about playing," Mallory said. "There's a lot of pride about these guys, and that competition will bring the best out of them. That just makes everybody better."
Here are some names to keep an eye on as spring practice begins:
Josh Fannin, R-Sr., 6-3, 266
- Won't participate in spring drills while recovering from injury
- Honorable Mention All-C-USA in 2018
- Started all 14 games at center
Amir Luckett, Sr., 6-2, 294
- Started all 14 games at right tackle in 2018
- Graded out a "winner" 10 times
Angelo Owens, R-Sr., 6-4, 293
- Started at left tackle against Kentucky and played in 13 games in 2018
- Didn't play in 2017 due to preseason injury
Matt Martin, R-Jr., 6-3, 283
- Didn't play in 2018 because of injury in fall camp
- NJCAA First Team All-American at Trinity Valley Community College in 2017
Jack Mitchell, R-Sr., 6-2, 303
- Played in all 14 games, majority on special teams
Marcus Greer, R-Fr., 6-3, 285
- Played in four games and redshirted in 2018
- Received team's Newcomer Ironman Award
Will Gilchrist, R-Jr., 6-3, 276
- Played in MT's last four games and was redshirted in 2018
D.J. Delfendahl, R-So., 6-4, 284
- Played in one game in 2018
- Suffered a knee injury in practice in Week 2 of 2017, missing the rest of the season
Eric Golston, R-Sr., 6-3, 307
- Played in 12 games in 2018
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.
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
TE/OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OL
/ 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
