Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Raiders wrap up much-anticipated spring
4/17/2021 11:59:00 AM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — There was one constant theme while talking to Middle Tennessee's players, coaches and support staff this spring: They were blessed to be back on the gridiron.
It's been well-documented — especially for the last month — how much college football teams suffered from not having spring and summer practice last year. That's why it was so important to be able to slow things down for a few weeks this spring.
"I'm glad that we were able to slow things down and teach this spring, and the guys have had great attitudes and have come to work every day," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "We've also stayed mostly healthy — knock on wood — and that has given our guys an opportunity to get out and practice and not miss a lot of reps. I've been really impressed with our guys."
Middle Tennessee was tasked this spring with taking their new offense from paper to the practice field.
New offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon's system has been called "simple but fast" several times by both players and coaches.
"It's a simple offense — not saying it's easy — but the principles are simple, and it's definitely got some good tempo," offensive line coach Rick Mallory said.
The biggest thing that's changed so far under Dearmon is more of an emphasis on tempo. He said the first couple of weeks this spring were a little slower since they were implementing new signs and signals, but the last few weeks, the pace has really picked up.
He's also seen improvements from all three quarterbacks — redshirt junior Bailey Hockman, redshirt junior Chase Cunningham and redshirt sophomore Mike DiLiello — who are vying to be the starting signal caller.
"We threw a lot at our guys in a short period of time to see how much they could handle," Dearmon said. "Those guys are going to have to take control of our team this summer. … We demand a lot out of them to continue working and continue getting better."
Just like at quarterback, plenty of opportunities were available this spring for some defensive players to step up and show they're ready for an increased role.
The Blue Raiders' linebacking corps had several members miss this spring due to offseason surgeries, including senior DQ Thomas, junior Jonathan Butler and redshirt freshman Jalen Davis. Redshirt sophomore corner Decorian Patterson and junior safety Gregory Grate also sat out in the backfield.
Stockstill was happy with how several young linebackers and defensive backs took advantage of their opportunities to see snaps.
"A lot of guys have stood out, but I think Devyn Curtis and Drew Francis are two freshmen linebackers who've gotten a ton of work and improved a lot. … Then, on the back end, Jalen Jackson, another freshman, has gotten a ton better this spring," Stockstill said. "They were all good players before they got here, but with all the work and reps, they've continued to get better."
One group in particular on defense that made waves this spring was the men up front.
The line had almost everyone healthy and participating in practice, and they showed a lot of improvement in the last few weeks that Stockstill and defensive coordinator Scott Shafer noticed. They helped the defense rack up four sacks and eight tackles for loss in the team's second scrimmage April 9.
"I like what we're doing up front with the defensive line," Shafer said. "Marley Cook is a young man who's going to be a good player, Zaylin Wood is playing good football, Richard Kinley is looking good at defensive end, … I think all of those kids have done a great job. It's been nice to go a little slower and teach this spring."
Stockstill said before spring started he was happy with how his team handled matt drills in January, the first stage of their offseason. Now, they've carried that over through the second stage, spring ball, and he's hoping they continue on through the last two stages, summer drills and fall ball, before the season starts Sept. 4.
If the team has the same work ethic and enthusiasm during the dog days of summer that they had this spring, the Blue Raiders should be in good shape heading into their Week 1 matchup with Monmouth.
"We can still get better individually and collectively as a team," Stockstill said. "We have to continue to keep that same mindset of trying to improve and get better each day we go out there."
It's been well-documented — especially for the last month — how much college football teams suffered from not having spring and summer practice last year. That's why it was so important to be able to slow things down for a few weeks this spring.
"I'm glad that we were able to slow things down and teach this spring, and the guys have had great attitudes and have come to work every day," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "We've also stayed mostly healthy — knock on wood — and that has given our guys an opportunity to get out and practice and not miss a lot of reps. I've been really impressed with our guys."
Middle Tennessee was tasked this spring with taking their new offense from paper to the practice field.
New offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon's system has been called "simple but fast" several times by both players and coaches.
"It's a simple offense — not saying it's easy — but the principles are simple, and it's definitely got some good tempo," offensive line coach Rick Mallory said.
The biggest thing that's changed so far under Dearmon is more of an emphasis on tempo. He said the first couple of weeks this spring were a little slower since they were implementing new signs and signals, but the last few weeks, the pace has really picked up.
He's also seen improvements from all three quarterbacks — redshirt junior Bailey Hockman, redshirt junior Chase Cunningham and redshirt sophomore Mike DiLiello — who are vying to be the starting signal caller.
"We threw a lot at our guys in a short period of time to see how much they could handle," Dearmon said. "Those guys are going to have to take control of our team this summer. … We demand a lot out of them to continue working and continue getting better."
Just like at quarterback, plenty of opportunities were available this spring for some defensive players to step up and show they're ready for an increased role.
The Blue Raiders' linebacking corps had several members miss this spring due to offseason surgeries, including senior DQ Thomas, junior Jonathan Butler and redshirt freshman Jalen Davis. Redshirt sophomore corner Decorian Patterson and junior safety Gregory Grate also sat out in the backfield.
Stockstill was happy with how several young linebackers and defensive backs took advantage of their opportunities to see snaps.
"A lot of guys have stood out, but I think Devyn Curtis and Drew Francis are two freshmen linebackers who've gotten a ton of work and improved a lot. … Then, on the back end, Jalen Jackson, another freshman, has gotten a ton better this spring," Stockstill said. "They were all good players before they got here, but with all the work and reps, they've continued to get better."
One group in particular on defense that made waves this spring was the men up front.
The line had almost everyone healthy and participating in practice, and they showed a lot of improvement in the last few weeks that Stockstill and defensive coordinator Scott Shafer noticed. They helped the defense rack up four sacks and eight tackles for loss in the team's second scrimmage April 9.
"I like what we're doing up front with the defensive line," Shafer said. "Marley Cook is a young man who's going to be a good player, Zaylin Wood is playing good football, Richard Kinley is looking good at defensive end, … I think all of those kids have done a great job. It's been nice to go a little slower and teach this spring."
Stockstill said before spring started he was happy with how his team handled matt drills in January, the first stage of their offseason. Now, they've carried that over through the second stage, spring ball, and he's hoping they continue on through the last two stages, summer drills and fall ball, before the season starts Sept. 4.
If the team has the same work ethic and enthusiasm during the dog days of summer that they had this spring, the Blue Raiders should be in good shape heading into their Week 1 matchup with Monmouth.
"We can still get better individually and collectively as a team," Stockstill said. "We have to continue to keep that same mindset of trying to improve and get better each day we go out there."
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