Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Turnover in the trenches creating opportunity
8/23/2020 12:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Quite a few new names are fighting for a chance to start along Middle Tennessee's lines, and while there isn't a bunch of experience on either side, the competition has been impressive through camp.
Only three combined starters are returning in the trenches, creating a chance for some new names to step up. Plus, on the offensive side, senior tackle Robert Jones, an Honorable Mention All-Conference-USA member and Senior Bowl Watch Lister, hasn't participated in camp while recovering from offseason surgery.
Don't think Jones is just sitting and waiting on his chance to get back onto the field. He's at every practice helping the young crop of linemen with their technique, no matter what position.
"It really puts it into perspective how much he actually knows about this game," guard Marcus Greer said. "He's over there helping the guards, the centers, everybody. Aside from the teaching, he has a big personality and brings enthusiasm and energy and gets everybody excited to play."
Along with Jones, Greer, a redshirt sophomore, is the only other returning starter on the offensive line. The guard was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2019 after starting 10 games and only allowing two sacks. He missed the last two games due to injury.
Despite technically still being an underclassman, Greer is in his third camp and has had to quickly become a leader on the line. He's consistently the loudest voice in the group.
"The best leaders lead by example, and that's a big part of what I'm trying to do," Greer said. "We're just trying to keep our heads down and our ears pinned back … because we have to get ready to play this year."
The leadership on the defensive line is also coming from an inside guy.
Redshirt senior Rakavian Poydras hasn't missed a game the last three seasons and started 11 times a season ago at defensive tackle, finishing with a career-high 28 tackles, including five TFLs, a sack and a pass breakup.
His consistency has been evident during camp, and he's tried to impress that on the younger defensive linemen.
"We all lead in different ways … but I've just tried to do all the right things," Poydras said. "Those young guys have made this old horse work, but I'm thankful for them. They make me better every day."
Poydras will benefit this season from the return of redshirt junior end Jordan Ferguson. He was projected as a possible starter a season ago before suffering a knee injury two days before the season opener. He'll likely line up right beside Poydras.
Ferguson was a C-USA All-Freshman Team member in 2017 when he recorded 30 tackles, including 5.5 TFLs.
"It feels good to be back out there with my teammates," Ferguson said. "I'm blessed to have another year to get ready for defensive end … and just to get coached and play football again."
Underclassmen and newcomers have been the story of camp so far for both lines, with redshirt sophomores Jorden Starling and Jordan Branch looking impressive on the defensive side and a host of young offensive linemen doing the same, including redshirt sophomores Jahlil Ryles, and Tyler Thurman and juniors Cole Kirby and Jordan Palmer, a talented center who transferred from College of the Canyons (CA).
Freshmen offensive linemen Conner Griffin, Parker Rogers, Steven Losoya III (redshirt freshman) and Dorian Hinton (redshirt freshman) have also turned some heads.
"Those younger guys are really bringing great energy," Greer said. "It's a bigger and smarter game in college football, but those young guys are coming in and putting their head into it … you can tell they want to get better every day."
They may be young, but new names will quickly become household ones in the Blue Raider trenches this season.
Only three combined starters are returning in the trenches, creating a chance for some new names to step up. Plus, on the offensive side, senior tackle Robert Jones, an Honorable Mention All-Conference-USA member and Senior Bowl Watch Lister, hasn't participated in camp while recovering from offseason surgery.
Don't think Jones is just sitting and waiting on his chance to get back onto the field. He's at every practice helping the young crop of linemen with their technique, no matter what position.
"It really puts it into perspective how much he actually knows about this game," guard Marcus Greer said. "He's over there helping the guards, the centers, everybody. Aside from the teaching, he has a big personality and brings enthusiasm and energy and gets everybody excited to play."
Along with Jones, Greer, a redshirt sophomore, is the only other returning starter on the offensive line. The guard was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2019 after starting 10 games and only allowing two sacks. He missed the last two games due to injury.
Despite technically still being an underclassman, Greer is in his third camp and has had to quickly become a leader on the line. He's consistently the loudest voice in the group.
"The best leaders lead by example, and that's a big part of what I'm trying to do," Greer said. "We're just trying to keep our heads down and our ears pinned back … because we have to get ready to play this year."
The leadership on the defensive line is also coming from an inside guy.
Redshirt senior Rakavian Poydras hasn't missed a game the last three seasons and started 11 times a season ago at defensive tackle, finishing with a career-high 28 tackles, including five TFLs, a sack and a pass breakup.
His consistency has been evident during camp, and he's tried to impress that on the younger defensive linemen.
"We all lead in different ways … but I've just tried to do all the right things," Poydras said. "Those young guys have made this old horse work, but I'm thankful for them. They make me better every day."
Poydras will benefit this season from the return of redshirt junior end Jordan Ferguson. He was projected as a possible starter a season ago before suffering a knee injury two days before the season opener. He'll likely line up right beside Poydras.
Ferguson was a C-USA All-Freshman Team member in 2017 when he recorded 30 tackles, including 5.5 TFLs.
"It feels good to be back out there with my teammates," Ferguson said. "I'm blessed to have another year to get ready for defensive end … and just to get coached and play football again."
Underclassmen and newcomers have been the story of camp so far for both lines, with redshirt sophomores Jorden Starling and Jordan Branch looking impressive on the defensive side and a host of young offensive linemen doing the same, including redshirt sophomores Jahlil Ryles, and Tyler Thurman and juniors Cole Kirby and Jordan Palmer, a talented center who transferred from College of the Canyons (CA).
Freshmen offensive linemen Conner Griffin, Parker Rogers, Steven Losoya III (redshirt freshman) and Dorian Hinton (redshirt freshman) have also turned some heads.
"Those younger guys are really bringing great energy," Greer said. "It's a bigger and smarter game in college football, but those young guys are coming in and putting their head into it … you can tell they want to get better every day."
They may be young, but new names will quickly become household ones in the Blue Raider trenches this season.
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