Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
“He’s a Ballplayer” - Suber making early impact with Blue Raider Defensive Backs
4/12/2023 4:53:00 PM | Football
New position coach has made the most of small group in spring ball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Alex Suber is grateful to hit the ground running.
The former Ottawa Redblacks coach has not had to adjust to many things moving back to the U.S. after a long career as a player and coach in the Canadian Football League. Being a fan and student of the game, watching college football and NFL during his time away helped. But the former MTSU cornerback does have one big difference he's happy about in work.
"Coaching pro ball, the off season is the off season," Suber said. "There is no spring ball. So, it's great to have a quick turnaround and be back in football again."
The former all-conference defensive back has made an instant impact among the Blue Raider defensive backs this spring, a group that had impressed Suber throughout the spring with their work ethic and football IQ.
"I had to make sure I learned the defense quickly, because those guys in the room really know it. I can't be up there not knowing what I'm talking about it. They're able to fill in, play multiple spots."
One of those Swiss army knives in the defensive backfield is De'Arre McDonald, who's getting reps at corner, nickel and safety during the spring. It's a position he takes pride in, McDonald says, and one that allows him to soak up knowledge for the newest coach on staff, who brings a wealth of high-level experience from his six-year playing career in The Great White North.
"He's a ballplayer," McDonald said of Suber. "It's good hearing ballplayer habits, ballplayer tendencies from a ballplayer himself."
Emmanuel Mann, who Head Coach Rick Stockstill singled out as a corner taking a step forward this spring, finds Suber's coaching style motivating to come to practice every day.
"He's very attentive to detail," Mann said. "He brings good energy every day to practice. It's just contagious, you have to work hard and get better every day."
The defensive back room might've been hit the hardest of any position group at MTSU in turnover at the end of the 2022 season. Both Decorian Patterson and Deidrick Stanley have left the program, opening up two of the five main starting roles, one of the outside corner spots and nickel corner, with no returning starter. Safety is set with Tra Fluellen and Jakobe Thomas both back in the fold, and Teldrick Ross of course is locking down one half of the field.
But for players like McDonald and Emmanuel Mann, this spring is their opportunity to show what they can do. Particularly when injuries have limited the Blue Raiders to as few as three corners at practice some days this spring.
"I'm beat up right now," Mann said with a smile, pointing to his wrapped left wrist. "You've got to take advantage of every opportunity. You're hurting? There's only three of us. Take advantage, it's a win-win."
That willingness to take advantage of the opportunity has made a strong impression on Suber.
"I just love the group, they want to work," Suber said. "We had a couple of guys have some injuries early on. And they didn't complain, they didn't bat an eye. They just kept competing."
Those smaller position groups have helped players get more reps, more work in over the course of the spring. It's helped McDonald get used to the stamina and mental toughness to play every single play of a drive on defense. It's given Mann time to hone in on his technique and skill, after getting by just with his athleticism in seasons past. Those focuses are ones both players hope will help vault them into the starting lineup come fall.
For now, however, the defensive backs are learning from their new coach in their final practices of the spring. A coach that's having an impact even beyond the DBs room.
"I put my trust in that guy," Tra Fluellen said running by as Suber was being interviewed after practice, drawing a smile from the position coach.
The former Ottawa Redblacks coach has not had to adjust to many things moving back to the U.S. after a long career as a player and coach in the Canadian Football League. Being a fan and student of the game, watching college football and NFL during his time away helped. But the former MTSU cornerback does have one big difference he's happy about in work.
"Coaching pro ball, the off season is the off season," Suber said. "There is no spring ball. So, it's great to have a quick turnaround and be back in football again."
The former all-conference defensive back has made an instant impact among the Blue Raider defensive backs this spring, a group that had impressed Suber throughout the spring with their work ethic and football IQ.
"I had to make sure I learned the defense quickly, because those guys in the room really know it. I can't be up there not knowing what I'm talking about it. They're able to fill in, play multiple spots."
One of those Swiss army knives in the defensive backfield is De'Arre McDonald, who's getting reps at corner, nickel and safety during the spring. It's a position he takes pride in, McDonald says, and one that allows him to soak up knowledge for the newest coach on staff, who brings a wealth of high-level experience from his six-year playing career in The Great White North.
"He's a ballplayer," McDonald said of Suber. "It's good hearing ballplayer habits, ballplayer tendencies from a ballplayer himself."
Emmanuel Mann, who Head Coach Rick Stockstill singled out as a corner taking a step forward this spring, finds Suber's coaching style motivating to come to practice every day.
"He's very attentive to detail," Mann said. "He brings good energy every day to practice. It's just contagious, you have to work hard and get better every day."
The defensive back room might've been hit the hardest of any position group at MTSU in turnover at the end of the 2022 season. Both Decorian Patterson and Deidrick Stanley have left the program, opening up two of the five main starting roles, one of the outside corner spots and nickel corner, with no returning starter. Safety is set with Tra Fluellen and Jakobe Thomas both back in the fold, and Teldrick Ross of course is locking down one half of the field.
But for players like McDonald and Emmanuel Mann, this spring is their opportunity to show what they can do. Particularly when injuries have limited the Blue Raiders to as few as three corners at practice some days this spring.
"I'm beat up right now," Mann said with a smile, pointing to his wrapped left wrist. "You've got to take advantage of every opportunity. You're hurting? There's only three of us. Take advantage, it's a win-win."
That willingness to take advantage of the opportunity has made a strong impression on Suber.
"I just love the group, they want to work," Suber said. "We had a couple of guys have some injuries early on. And they didn't complain, they didn't bat an eye. They just kept competing."
Those smaller position groups have helped players get more reps, more work in over the course of the spring. It's helped McDonald get used to the stamina and mental toughness to play every single play of a drive on defense. It's given Mann time to hone in on his technique and skill, after getting by just with his athleticism in seasons past. Those focuses are ones both players hope will help vault them into the starting lineup come fall.
For now, however, the defensive backs are learning from their new coach in their final practices of the spring. A coach that's having an impact even beyond the DBs room.
"I put my trust in that guy," Tra Fluellen said running by as Suber was being interviewed after practice, drawing a smile from the position coach.
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