Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Spring Position Update: Secondary
4/11/2019 2:01:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee's backfield was a strength for a stout defense in 2018, and it appears to be strong again heading into 2019.
There are some positions vacated by graduates Wesley Bush, Darryl Randolph and Cordell Hudson needing filled. With a collection of cornerbacks showing improvement and enough safeties on the roster to go a couple of pairs deep, however, defensive coordinator Scott Shafer is excited about the group's potential.
"They're doing a good job learning every day [in spring drills]," the third-year coordinator said. "We have some good competition, and I'm pleased with all of the progress."
Some of the defensive backs are learning this spring under a new coach. Kenneth Gilstrap, former Blue Raider corner, was named the program's new cornerbacks coach on March 31.
"He does a nice job recruiting and brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the group," Shafer said. "He knows how to play the position, so it's good to have him on board."
During spring drills, rising junior star safety Reed Blankenship has not participated. His safety mate, redshirt senior Jovante Moffatt, is practicing fully, though, and appears to be healthy after playing in just four games last season while nursing ailing shoulders.
Safety Kylan Stribling is also healthy after injuries forced him out of seven games in 2018. The redshirt junior is battling with senior Kendricks Gladney and redshirt freshman Decorian Patterson, a surprising contributor as a true freshman in limited time, for second-line duties. The latter two will also line up as the nickel corner in some packages.
Redshirt senior cornerback Chris Stamps is joining Blankenship on the "not participating" list this spring, but when he returns he'll add to a very deep contingent of corners. Sophomores Gregory Grate Jr. and Raheme Fuller, redshirt freshman Teldrick Ross, redshirt junior Justin Brown and redshirt senior Kamau Farrell-Burke each have had good springs and are all fighting for time. Former running back and wide receiver Desmond Anderson is also improving.
Middle Tennessee's incoming recruiting class includes five defensive backs – freshmen Jalen Jackson, Mark Lafrance, Darius McClendon, Marvae Myers-Glover and Quincy Riley – but this spring is all about the returners.
Here are some names to know for this spring:
Safety
Jovante Moffatt, R-Sr., 6-0, 216
Reed Blankenship, Jr., 6-1, 195
Kylan Stribling, R-Jr., 5-11, 196
Kendricks Gladney, Sr., 6-0, 203
Decorian Patterson, R-Fr., 6-0, 189
Corner
Gregory Grate Jr., So., 5-11, 187
Chris Stamps, R-Sr., 6-1, 185
Justin Brown, R-Jr., 6-0, 187
Raheme Fuller, R-So., 6-3, 206
Teldrick Ross, R-Fr., 5-11, 188
Kamau Farrell-Burke, R-Sr., 6-3, 189
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.
There are some positions vacated by graduates Wesley Bush, Darryl Randolph and Cordell Hudson needing filled. With a collection of cornerbacks showing improvement and enough safeties on the roster to go a couple of pairs deep, however, defensive coordinator Scott Shafer is excited about the group's potential.
"They're doing a good job learning every day [in spring drills]," the third-year coordinator said. "We have some good competition, and I'm pleased with all of the progress."
Some of the defensive backs are learning this spring under a new coach. Kenneth Gilstrap, former Blue Raider corner, was named the program's new cornerbacks coach on March 31.
"He does a nice job recruiting and brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the group," Shafer said. "He knows how to play the position, so it's good to have him on board."
During spring drills, rising junior star safety Reed Blankenship has not participated. His safety mate, redshirt senior Jovante Moffatt, is practicing fully, though, and appears to be healthy after playing in just four games last season while nursing ailing shoulders.
Safety Kylan Stribling is also healthy after injuries forced him out of seven games in 2018. The redshirt junior is battling with senior Kendricks Gladney and redshirt freshman Decorian Patterson, a surprising contributor as a true freshman in limited time, for second-line duties. The latter two will also line up as the nickel corner in some packages.
Redshirt senior cornerback Chris Stamps is joining Blankenship on the "not participating" list this spring, but when he returns he'll add to a very deep contingent of corners. Sophomores Gregory Grate Jr. and Raheme Fuller, redshirt freshman Teldrick Ross, redshirt junior Justin Brown and redshirt senior Kamau Farrell-Burke each have had good springs and are all fighting for time. Former running back and wide receiver Desmond Anderson is also improving.
Middle Tennessee's incoming recruiting class includes five defensive backs – freshmen Jalen Jackson, Mark Lafrance, Darius McClendon, Marvae Myers-Glover and Quincy Riley – but this spring is all about the returners.
Here are some names to know for this spring:
Safety
Jovante Moffatt, R-Sr., 6-0, 216
- Played in 4 games and took a redshirt in 2018 while recovering from injury
- Had 36 tackles, 1 INT, 5 PBs, 1 FF in 2018
- Team-high 101 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 3 PBs, 1 INT in 2017, Honorable Mention All-C-USA
Reed Blankenship, Jr., 6-1, 195
- Team-high 107 tackles, 8.0 TFLs, 4 INTs, 7 PBs in 2018, First Team All-C-USA
- 17 tackles, 100-yard pick six against ODU in 2018
- Honorable Mention All-C-USA and C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2017
- Not participating in spring drills
Kylan Stribling, R-Jr., 5-11, 196
- 18 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, played in 7 games with 2 starts in 2018
Kendricks Gladney, Sr., 6-0, 203
- 23 tackles, played in 12 games with 2 starts in 2018
- Three-star transfer from ASA College in 2018
Decorian Patterson, R-Fr., 6-0, 189
- Played in 4 games and took a redshirt in 2018
- Missed 6 games due to injury
Corner
Gregory Grate Jr., So., 5-11, 187
- 25 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 PBs, played in 13 games, 2 starts in 2018
- Returned an INT 97 yards for a TD against UTM, had 9 tackles against Georgia
Chris Stamps, R-Sr., 6-1, 185
- Not participating in spring drills
- 10 tackles, 1 FR, played in all 14 games in 2018
Justin Brown, R-Jr., 6-0, 187
- Played in 8 games in 2018
Raheme Fuller, R-So., 6-3, 206
- Played in 11 games in 2018
Teldrick Ross, R-Fr., 5-11, 188
- Played in 4 games and took a redshirt in 2018
Kamau Farrell-Burke, R-Sr., 6-3, 189
- Played in all 14 games in 2018, all on special teams
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.
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