Camp Position Breakdown: Quarterbacks

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Thanks to legendary quarterback Brent Stockstill, Middle Tennessee hasn't needed to have a quarterback battle in fall camp since the southpaw was a redshirt freshman in 2015.

That all changes in this year's camp.

Friday was the first day Stockstill's replacement hopefuls hit the field to make their case, and the race has all but been cut down to three names: returners Asher O'Hara and Chase Cunningham and junior college transfer Randall Johnson.

Each have stood out in some areas, but improvement is necessary over the next few weeks. Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin hopes to have a starter in mind before the end of camp.

"For me, I want it done in two weeks," he said. "If it has to go three weeks, we'll do it, but somewhere along the way, you have to pick someone and give them reps.

"We just want the best player, and we hope we make the right choice."

No matter who's named the starter, he'll have the luxury of a talented cast of returning receivers and running backs.

"That's as important as something will get," O'Hara said. "They make us look good. We need those guys, and we're thankful to have them."

Here are the three QBs competing for the starting job:

Asher O'Hara, R-So., 6-0, 190

Tony Franklin: "Asher is able to make plays when everything breaks down. With Asher and Chase, they should be a lot better right now because they know what they're doing."

Notable:
• Played in two games in 2018 before redshirting
• Against FIU, came in for Stockstill and rushed for a team-high 85 yards and a TD, 9 of 20 passing for 114 yards
• Played one year at College of DuPage (IL) before transferring last season to MT
• From Rolling Meadows, Illinois

Chase Cunningham, R-So., 5-11, 188

Tony Franklin: "Chase is really cerebral and has a big arm. He's a really good football player … I think he's done a really nice job so far."

Notable:
• Played in four games in 2018 in late-game duty
• Earned the team's grinder award for quarterbacks following spring practice
• From Knoxville (Knoxville Catholic)

Randall Johnson, Jr., 6-5, 233

Tony Franklin: "Randall just has to get a ton of reps early to see if we can be competitive with him. He's a big kid and is a good player, we're just learning as we go."

Notable:
• Transferred to MT from Reedley College (CA)
• 2018 Golden Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year
• As a sophomore, completed 200 of 319 passes, 2,832 yards, 28 TDs, 8 INTs; led team with 797 rushing yards, 14 TDs
• From Los Angeles

Here are the other QBs on the roster:

Joey Cambron, Fr., 6-0, 179

Notable:
• Preferred walk-on
• As a junior, threw for 4,077 yards, 49 TDs; 3,000 yards and 35 TDs as a senior
• From Owensboro, Kentucky

Jordan Middleton, R-Jr., 6-1, 198

Notable:
• Earned the team's most improved quarterback award following spring practice
• From Murfreesboro (Siegel High School)

Alec Ogden, So., 6-4, 194

Notable:
• Transferred from Bemidji State University (MN)
• From Marshall, Wisconsin

Middle Tennesee State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Joey Cambron

Chase Cunningham

Randall Johnson

Jordan Middleton

Asher O'Hara

Alec Ogden

Brent Stockstill

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