Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
10 Blue Raiders recognized by Phil Steele
6/15/2026 10:00:00 AM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The 2026 Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference USA teams were announced recently, and the Blue Raiders had 10 different players honored. MTSU had one first team representative, four second teamers, three on the third team and two selected as fourth team members.
The Blue Raiders' lone first team pick was punter Ashton Logan. As a junior last season, Logan turned in a 44.7-yard per punt average, had 29 kicks downed inside the 20-yard line and saw 19 of his kicks go for 50 or more yards. His 44.7-yard average went down as the second-best single-season average in school history.
On the second team were wide receiver Cam'ron Lacy, offensive lineman Reese Tripp, defensive end Reggie Johnson and place-kicker Dominic Bourgeois. Lacy finished last year with a career-best 38 receptions for 549 yards and three touchdowns while leading the team in per catch average at 14.4 yards, while Tripp will be making his Blue Raider debut this season after transferring from Minnesota.
Johnson, a redshirt senior, had 34 tackles, including 9.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, seven hurries and two pass breakups last year. The Los Angeles, Calif. native had the defenses fourth best PFF grade at 72.7. Bourgeois will be in his first season with the Blue Raiders after leading Division III in field goals made last year at Susquehanna.
Quarterback Roman Gagliano, linebacker Ashton Taylor, and cornerback Jason Hardy were all third team selections. Gagliano, an Opelika, Ala. product saw action in five games a year ago including the last three as the starter. He ended the year with 1,005 passing yards on 78 completions and seven touchdowns to go with 166 rushing yards.
Taylor, a senior from Hoover, Ala., was at Jackson State in 2025 where he notched 49 tackles, including 10.0 TFLs, two sacks and four pass breakups. Hardy, also a senior, is coming off a career year at Grand Valley State with 30 tackles to go with three interceptions and nine pass breakups.
Linebacker Korey Smith and cornerback Dyson McCutcheon made the fourth team. Smith, a Murfreesboro native, was fourth on the team last season with 40 tackles, while McCutcheon will be making his Blue Raider debut in 2026.
The Blue Raiders will open the 2026 season at home on Sept. 5 against Murray State. Kickoff is slated for 6 PM CT. For tickets, please click HERE.
The Blue Raiders' lone first team pick was punter Ashton Logan. As a junior last season, Logan turned in a 44.7-yard per punt average, had 29 kicks downed inside the 20-yard line and saw 19 of his kicks go for 50 or more yards. His 44.7-yard average went down as the second-best single-season average in school history.
On the second team were wide receiver Cam'ron Lacy, offensive lineman Reese Tripp, defensive end Reggie Johnson and place-kicker Dominic Bourgeois. Lacy finished last year with a career-best 38 receptions for 549 yards and three touchdowns while leading the team in per catch average at 14.4 yards, while Tripp will be making his Blue Raider debut this season after transferring from Minnesota.
Johnson, a redshirt senior, had 34 tackles, including 9.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, seven hurries and two pass breakups last year. The Los Angeles, Calif. native had the defenses fourth best PFF grade at 72.7. Bourgeois will be in his first season with the Blue Raiders after leading Division III in field goals made last year at Susquehanna.
Quarterback Roman Gagliano, linebacker Ashton Taylor, and cornerback Jason Hardy were all third team selections. Gagliano, an Opelika, Ala. product saw action in five games a year ago including the last three as the starter. He ended the year with 1,005 passing yards on 78 completions and seven touchdowns to go with 166 rushing yards.
Taylor, a senior from Hoover, Ala., was at Jackson State in 2025 where he notched 49 tackles, including 10.0 TFLs, two sacks and four pass breakups. Hardy, also a senior, is coming off a career year at Grand Valley State with 30 tackles to go with three interceptions and nine pass breakups.
Linebacker Korey Smith and cornerback Dyson McCutcheon made the fourth team. Smith, a Murfreesboro native, was fourth on the team last season with 40 tackles, while McCutcheon will be making his Blue Raider debut in 2026.
The Blue Raiders will open the 2026 season at home on Sept. 5 against Murray State. Kickoff is slated for 6 PM CT. For tickets, please click HERE.
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