Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
"The consistency is coming” - Depth Shown Early in MTSU Secondary
9/11/2024 6:36:00 PM | Football
Eleven different Blue Raider defensive backs recorded at least one tackle against Ole Miss.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The play-by-play description of Marvae Myers' second tackle of the day in the box score of MTSU's loss at No. 6 Ole Miss this past week wouldn't strike many as something notable. For most, in fact, the 42-yard run from Henry Parrish Jr., stopped at the MTSU 10-yard line by a Myers tackle, would be an explosive play by the Rebels that Blue Raiders fans might forget.
But for Head Coach Derek Mason, it was exactly the type of play that reminds him of why Marvae Myers can help the Blue Raider defense this fall. Because Myers, listed as a safety on the team's roster sheet, started that run up the middle as the far corner on the opposite hash of where the ball was snapped. And he still ran down Parrish and gave MTSU a chance at a drive stop.
"Marvae is one of the fastest dudes on the team," Mason said. "To see him run down a guy that was seven or eight yards ahead of him and get him down and allow us the chance to defend a blade of grass, that's what we're talking about."
In a secondary that's seen some early injury trouble through two games, Mason is leaning on guys like Myers and James Shellman IV, experienced players with years of snaps under their belts to help fill roles in a secondary when called upon. And with the safety position experiencing a wealth of talent due to the influx of players like Brendon Harris, John Howse IV and Jared Douglas this offseason, some veteran Blue Raiders are getting an early chance to show some versatility at other secondary spots.
"For me, it's always a sprint to Saturday, in terms of recovery," Mason said. "Some guys traveled, they went out there on Saturday, and they moved around well, I just didn't think they were ready... Other guys were put into positions throughout the week. I always start the Tuesday practice with the idea that, hey, this is what we've got to do, and those guys are practicing."
Both of MTSU's starting cornerbacks at the start of the season, Tyrell Raby and De'Arre McDonald, were forced out of the game at times in the season opener against Tennessee Tech. An in-game adjustment against Ole Miss, meanwhile, saw starting safety Harris move up to nickel to help run fit in the first half.
That created some opportunity for players like Myers, who didn't make the Blue Raiders' initial two-deep at any secondary spot for the season opener despite a strong end to the 2023 season in place of Tra Fluellen at safety a season prior with the previous staff. To be sure, Myers was clearly a guy Mason and the rest of the coaching staff trusted, particularly on special teams. But the head coach pointed to Myers' background, being recruited initially to Murfreesboro as a corner, as something that made him a good fit to be asked to move outside when the team needed it.
"I want to help this team win," Myers said. "Our goal is win a conference championship. To get there, I want to be a part of that, I want to be able to help this team no matter where it is. Playmakers make plays and that's what I aim to do."
Myers, who's gotten snaps in his career at safety, corner and nickel, said that his diverse experience helps him in coverage in particular by knowing where others are going to be in the scheme.
"It's allowed me to know what the guys next to me have to do whenever we're running the defense," Myers said. "Knowing what the man next to you is doing, it helps you with leverage, it helps you know where to be. It just makes everything easier."
His head coach thought the defensive back got more comfortable in his new role as the game went on, noting that despite some technical corrections to be made, the tape showed Myers was executing the team's gameplan of not giving up deep shots. Particularly with plays like his third quarter takedown of Parrish.
"What you see from him is less thinking, more processing and the athletic ability," Mason said. "I thought he tackled well."
With 11 different MTSU defensive backs recording at least one tackle on Saturday, the depth in the secondary has been tested early for the Blue Raiders. But the snaps being played by players that maybe didn't crack the initial depth chart are building up to make the unit much better in the long run, Mason said.
"You're going to see some guys coming back," Mason said. "And as that experience comes back, I think what you're going to see is a more nuanced and a more cohesive unit. Right now, it's been a little inconsistent because of the bodies that we're playing, but the consistency is coming."
But for Head Coach Derek Mason, it was exactly the type of play that reminds him of why Marvae Myers can help the Blue Raider defense this fall. Because Myers, listed as a safety on the team's roster sheet, started that run up the middle as the far corner on the opposite hash of where the ball was snapped. And he still ran down Parrish and gave MTSU a chance at a drive stop.
"Marvae is one of the fastest dudes on the team," Mason said. "To see him run down a guy that was seven or eight yards ahead of him and get him down and allow us the chance to defend a blade of grass, that's what we're talking about."
In a secondary that's seen some early injury trouble through two games, Mason is leaning on guys like Myers and James Shellman IV, experienced players with years of snaps under their belts to help fill roles in a secondary when called upon. And with the safety position experiencing a wealth of talent due to the influx of players like Brendon Harris, John Howse IV and Jared Douglas this offseason, some veteran Blue Raiders are getting an early chance to show some versatility at other secondary spots.
"For me, it's always a sprint to Saturday, in terms of recovery," Mason said. "Some guys traveled, they went out there on Saturday, and they moved around well, I just didn't think they were ready... Other guys were put into positions throughout the week. I always start the Tuesday practice with the idea that, hey, this is what we've got to do, and those guys are practicing."
Both of MTSU's starting cornerbacks at the start of the season, Tyrell Raby and De'Arre McDonald, were forced out of the game at times in the season opener against Tennessee Tech. An in-game adjustment against Ole Miss, meanwhile, saw starting safety Harris move up to nickel to help run fit in the first half.
That created some opportunity for players like Myers, who didn't make the Blue Raiders' initial two-deep at any secondary spot for the season opener despite a strong end to the 2023 season in place of Tra Fluellen at safety a season prior with the previous staff. To be sure, Myers was clearly a guy Mason and the rest of the coaching staff trusted, particularly on special teams. But the head coach pointed to Myers' background, being recruited initially to Murfreesboro as a corner, as something that made him a good fit to be asked to move outside when the team needed it.
"I want to help this team win," Myers said. "Our goal is win a conference championship. To get there, I want to be a part of that, I want to be able to help this team no matter where it is. Playmakers make plays and that's what I aim to do."
Myers, who's gotten snaps in his career at safety, corner and nickel, said that his diverse experience helps him in coverage in particular by knowing where others are going to be in the scheme.
"It's allowed me to know what the guys next to me have to do whenever we're running the defense," Myers said. "Knowing what the man next to you is doing, it helps you with leverage, it helps you know where to be. It just makes everything easier."
His head coach thought the defensive back got more comfortable in his new role as the game went on, noting that despite some technical corrections to be made, the tape showed Myers was executing the team's gameplan of not giving up deep shots. Particularly with plays like his third quarter takedown of Parrish.
"What you see from him is less thinking, more processing and the athletic ability," Mason said. "I thought he tackled well."
With 11 different MTSU defensive backs recording at least one tackle on Saturday, the depth in the secondary has been tested early for the Blue Raiders. But the snaps being played by players that maybe didn't crack the initial depth chart are building up to make the unit much better in the long run, Mason said.
"You're going to see some guys coming back," Mason said. "And as that experience comes back, I think what you're going to see is a more nuanced and a more cohesive unit. Right now, it's been a little inconsistent because of the bodies that we're playing, but the consistency is coming."
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