Middle Tennessee College Football Preview 2021: Top Players
Best Middle Tennessee Offensive Player
WR Jarrin Pierce, Sr.
The big plays down the field have to be there, but the experience is in place for a receiving corps with the upside to do a lot more if the passing game ramps up. The 5-11, 190-pound Pierce is the veteran to start with, following up a 42 catch 2019 with 59 grabs for 584 yards and three touchdowns. Again, though, more big plays have to happen.
2. RB Chaton Mobley, Jr.
3. QB Bailey Hockman, Jr.
4. WR CJ Windham, Sr.
5. C Jordan Palmer, Jr.
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Best Middle Tennessee Defensive Player
S Reed Blankenship, Sr.
One of the best all-around safeties in college football over the last few years – at least among the most productive when he’s been healthy – Blankenship is back for a fifth year after generating 309 tackles with eight picks and 11 broken up passes so far. He can get behind the line, too, with two sacks and 16 tackles for loss.
2. S Greg Grate, Jr.
3. LB DQ Thomas, Sr.
4. DE Jordan Ferguson, Jr.
5. LB Johnathan Butler, Jr.
Top Incoming Middle Tennessee Transfer
QB Bailey Hockman, Jr.
A good recruit for NC State, he wasn’t all that bad last season with close to 2,100 yards and 13 touchdown passes, hitting 64% of his passes. However, he threw 11 interceptions and doesn’t do much for the ground game. With Asher O’Hara gone, he has to push through a crowded field to be the one who makes the downfield passing game work.