Early Signing Period came and went on 12/4 and MTSU had 16 signees on Wednesday! We breakdown every single one in today's episode featuring our panelist of GoMiddle.com contributors!
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[00:00:07] Thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Blue Raider Podcast hosted by Jake Bolden and presented by the Canseco Group General Contracting and Mighty Dog Roofing.
[00:00:17] Don't miss another Tuesday episode by subscribing to the podcast on all streaming platforms or catch our visual presentation uploaded every week on YouTube.
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[00:00:40] Welcome back to the Blue Raider Podcast. I'm your host, Jake Bolden. Today's episode is all about the early signing period last week.
[00:00:48] Today is our special episode with all of our featured analysts from GoMiddle.com to talk over all those signings from last week, the 16 total signees.
[00:00:58] We'll break down everything you need to know about all of those freshman high school signees that we had last week.
[00:01:03] But before we roll into our episode today, I want to take just a second to thank our sponsors of today's episode.
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[00:02:22] Thanks again to the Canseco Group and Mighty Dog Roofing for sponsoring today's episode.
[00:02:27] Now, as we get into our National Signing Day, I want to encourage everyone that may be listening for the first time to the Blue Raider podcast to make sure you're following us on all of our socials at Blue Raider Pod.
[00:02:37] That's on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, as well as on YouTube for our visual presentation.
[00:02:42] For those that may be listening to our Apple podcast or Spotify recordings, go over there.
[00:02:47] We have all of the game film that we're going to be looking at today as we talk about some of these signees.
[00:02:51] So don't miss on any of that content as well if you're not already on YouTube.
[00:02:55] And of course, if you're there, like the video, subscribe. We appreciate that.
[00:02:59] Now, beginning with some introductions for our Go Middle guys here that I'm happy to be joining us.
[00:03:05] Starting us first is going to be Austin Lewis. Austin, how's it going?
[00:03:10] Not bad, man. How are you doing today?
[00:03:12] Oh, I'm excited. I'm pumped up for a lot of reasons, and this signing class is certainly one of them.
[00:03:17] Yeah. Thanks for having me, man. It's going to be fun to talk some ball today.
[00:03:21] Absolutely. And also joining us, another Go Middle analyst that does football.
[00:03:25] A little bit of everything, but Shane Pickering. Shane, how's it going?
[00:03:29] It's going great. This is like my Super Bowl.
[00:03:31] Getting to know these guys for the past year and a lot of them for two years, three years.
[00:03:36] So it's going good. I'm excited to talk about these guys.
[00:03:39] Yeah. As Coach Mason said, it's draft week.
[00:03:42] So obviously, we've got a lot of attention there for those guys.
[00:03:44] But lastly, joining us from GoMiddle.com, another one of our analysts on the recruiting side of things is Connor Smith.
[00:03:50] Connor, how's it going?
[00:03:51] Well, Jake, how's it going?
[00:03:52] Appreciate you bringing me on. Like Shane said, this is the Super Bowl of this time of the year.
[00:03:57] I mean, you've got signing day, playoffs, bowl games going on.
[00:04:00] So I'm excited to talk about the ball.
[00:04:02] Absolutely. So much to get to today, guys.
[00:04:05] I'm excited to be joined with everyone.
[00:04:06] As I said, with these guys, all of us here are at GoMiddle.com,
[00:04:09] where we put a lot of our analysis as well as breakdown, not only on the recruiting side of things,
[00:04:14] that we'll spend plenty of time talking about today, but all Blue Raider athletic sports.
[00:04:18] So, of course, I encourage you, if you're not already subscribed to GoMiddle.com,
[00:04:22] please do so for our premium boards.
[00:04:23] We'll have early access to this episode today.
[00:04:27] And then, of course, plenty of recruiting stuff that Shane, Connor, Austin, all of us contribute to.
[00:04:32] So if you're not already, do so.
[00:04:35] Be over there at GoMiddle.com.
[00:04:36] Now, guys, before we get into that signing a little bit, too,
[00:04:39] the transfer portal season is among us.
[00:04:41] The portal opened yesterday, Monday night.
[00:04:44] Unfortunately, this is kind of part of the season.
[00:04:46] When it comes to your season's over, the transfer portal hits.
[00:04:49] I'm going to go ahead and post up this list, and I'm going to turn things over to Connor for us
[00:04:54] about some of these guys that have entered.
[00:04:55] I know things have changed since the time that we're even recording this,
[00:04:58] but Monday the portal opens.
[00:05:00] Maybe some few names enter, but any of these names that really pop out stand out to you, Connor?
[00:05:04] Yeah, there's a couple here.
[00:05:05] I mean, obviously, Omari Kelly, best receiver in Conference USA.
[00:05:08] That loss really hurts.
[00:05:10] Both DBs, Tyrell Raby and Marve Myers, you would like them to stay.
[00:05:15] I mean, they were starters this year with a defense that was starting to grow together.
[00:05:20] I mean, they're all inexperienced, so you would like to keep those two guys there.
[00:05:23] The last one for me was Simon Wilson.
[00:05:27] He was a starter on the offensive line, plays all three interior positions, center, right guard, left guard.
[00:05:32] So having a guy like that who's very versatile and can play anywhere was probably a big loss to this team.
[00:05:39] Yeah, certainly.
[00:05:40] And along with that, you've got more skilled position guys.
[00:05:43] Frank Pizan, who we know entered early.
[00:05:45] Terry Wilkins entered also, too.
[00:05:47] So those are kind of some names that I'm sure many have heard of.
[00:05:50] James Stewart, another defensive end that entered the portal.
[00:05:52] But I think the whole purpose of today's episode is really, you know, what do some of these new signees do for us?
[00:06:00] And Austin, you're kind of our big picture guy here that has insight into what it's like being on the inside of these programs.
[00:06:07] How much of an impact does this portal season have, not only with these guys that have already exited,
[00:06:12] but what could potentially happen in these coming weeks as we start to sign or commit some of these players?
[00:06:17] Yeah, I think losing as much as Middle Tennessee has is going to have an impact on the program.
[00:06:24] In terms of wins and losses, it's hard to tell because you could replace an Omari Kelly with an Omari Kelly 2.0,
[00:06:33] a guy just like Omari.
[00:06:35] Derek Mason alluded to that in the press conference that, you know,
[00:06:38] if Omari goes off and he signs with Memphis or Tulane or Houston or Texas Tech or someplace like that,
[00:06:45] you know, that's great for him, but you want to get the next guy.
[00:06:49] And so if you're able to get a guy who's able to replicate Omari's production, then that's great.
[00:06:54] The problem is if you can't find that, then it's going to be another rough season.
[00:06:59] It's going to be a season where you average 18.1 points per game.
[00:07:02] And so it's going to make a difference.
[00:07:05] It's all, it's, it's, the difference is going to be played or displayed in who they replace it with.
[00:07:11] And right now we just don't know the answer to that.
[00:07:14] And so that's why I think portal recruiting, you know,
[00:07:18] Mason uses the analogy of the draft class being the high school guys,
[00:07:22] the guys you, your people that you develop.
[00:07:24] And then free agency is, is the portal.
[00:07:27] And so how do they attack free agency?
[00:07:29] That's what's going to be intriguing for me in the next couple of weeks.
[00:07:33] Right.
[00:07:34] Well, and Shane,
[00:07:35] you're a guy that also has a lot of eyes on the portal and some of these guys that
[00:07:38] have offered and those continue to come through.
[00:07:40] Obviously, if you're not already following these guys on social media,
[00:07:42] you should do so.
[00:07:43] But Shane,
[00:07:44] where should the attention be for this coaching staff?
[00:07:47] When you're talking about addressing some of these holes that have now become vacant due to the portal,
[00:07:52] where should that attention be?
[00:07:54] The trenches for one,
[00:07:55] especially,
[00:07:56] and you've seen that with the offers.
[00:07:57] They've offered some left tackles,
[00:07:59] some centers,
[00:08:00] and then they've offered another one would be tied in.
[00:08:05] They want that kind of flex option that Holden Lewis provided.
[00:08:08] I don't know if they were necessarily planning to have that as a position,
[00:08:11] but then you see the success that Holden has.
[00:08:13] And that opened up a lot in this offense.
[00:08:17] And I feel like they want to continue having that option.
[00:08:19] When you look on the roster right now,
[00:08:21] there's really not that type of playmaker at the position.
[00:08:24] And then I think,
[00:08:26] you know,
[00:08:26] just depth,
[00:08:27] depth everywhere and cornerback.
[00:08:29] cause you lost,
[00:08:30] like Connor said,
[00:08:31] Marvin Myers and Tyrell Raby,
[00:08:32] and you just need bodies there as well.
[00:08:35] Yeah.
[00:08:37] Right.
[00:08:37] Right.
[00:08:38] Well,
[00:08:38] look forward to the season ahead as when we're talking about this portal
[00:08:42] season.
[00:08:42] But guys,
[00:08:43] let's get to what we're,
[00:08:44] what we're here to talk about today.
[00:08:45] It's this signing class.
[00:08:46] And obviously everyone here is well studied up on all these guys.
[00:08:50] And really,
[00:08:51] as we,
[00:08:51] as we go through some of these guys,
[00:08:54] I want to take an opportunity just to highlight each and every single one of
[00:08:57] them as best that we possibly can.
[00:08:58] So we're going to start things off on the offensive side.
[00:09:00] I know that everyone wants to talk about the quarterback.
[00:09:03] And I think one thing we just kind of segue off the portal season,
[00:09:07] whereas Vadiata,
[00:09:08] well,
[00:09:08] fortunately so far he's still a blue Raider,
[00:09:11] but who knows where that could come.
[00:09:12] So we look at maybe the future a little bit of,
[00:09:14] of where MTSU is headed.
[00:09:15] And,
[00:09:16] and I want to start things off with,
[00:09:17] with Stanley Anderson Lofton Shane.
[00:09:20] Yeah.
[00:09:20] This is a guy that you,
[00:09:21] you,
[00:09:21] you kind of become familiar with.
[00:09:22] And I know,
[00:09:23] I know there's some things about him that,
[00:09:24] that you have to like.
[00:09:26] Oh,
[00:09:26] absolutely.
[00:09:27] He has solid size.
[00:09:28] He's six one,
[00:09:29] about 210 pounds.
[00:09:31] And you like what he can do with his arm.
[00:09:33] You can see on some of these plays,
[00:09:35] he has good receivers.
[00:09:37] And he knows how to get them open.
[00:09:38] He knows how to lead them open.
[00:09:40] And he had a really strong year as a senior.
[00:09:43] And I mean,
[00:09:43] you see he's invited to elite 11 camp series,
[00:09:47] put up numbers.
[00:09:48] He's getting accolades,
[00:09:49] which is everything you love to see in a quarterback.
[00:09:52] And he's a dynamic runner too.
[00:09:54] He's not necessarily looking to run,
[00:09:56] but if you give him the opportunity,
[00:09:57] he will beat you with his legs.
[00:09:58] So he's,
[00:09:59] he can beat you in a variety of ways.
[00:10:01] And he's a player that you can get excited to develop.
[00:10:04] If you're a body reader in the office.
[00:10:06] Yeah.
[00:10:08] And Austin,
[00:10:09] I'll turn that conversation over to you.
[00:10:11] You know,
[00:10:11] where does a guy like Stanley who clearly has the arm and as,
[00:10:13] as Shane said,
[00:10:14] also the legs too,
[00:10:16] kind of the archetype,
[00:10:17] uh,
[00:10:18] quarterback that you'd like to see in conference USA,
[00:10:20] the,
[00:10:20] the,
[00:10:20] the one that can throw,
[00:10:22] but obviously can move.
[00:10:23] How does he kind of fit in this blue Raider,
[00:10:24] Bodie reader offense?
[00:10:25] It gives Bodie a little flexibility at the quarterback position.
[00:10:28] Uh,
[00:10:29] the concern,
[00:10:30] you know,
[00:10:30] I have with Luther and Roman to an extent is there more of the,
[00:10:34] the pro style pocket passer.
[00:10:36] And so if you get to a point where you want to have a run threat,
[00:10:41] Stanley and Nick both provide you with that ability to get outside the
[00:10:44] pocket to,
[00:10:45] to extend plays,
[00:10:46] uh,
[00:10:46] with their mobility.
[00:10:49] Well,
[00:10:50] um,
[00:10:51] I think that that's a guy that for all,
[00:10:53] all good reasons should be,
[00:10:54] um,
[00:10:54] um,
[00:10:55] a lot of attention should be on,
[00:10:56] especially for the future.
[00:10:56] I know that we lost,
[00:10:57] um,
[00:10:58] I guess if technically we count the depth of the quarterback room,
[00:11:00] you've lost Xavier Williams for all intents and purposes.
[00:11:03] Um,
[00:11:04] and then,
[00:11:05] um,
[00:11:05] I,
[00:11:06] where body auto is,
[00:11:07] you know,
[00:11:07] the Luther Richardson,
[00:11:09] the,
[00:11:09] the Roman Gagliano conversation that we all,
[00:11:12] you know,
[00:11:13] we,
[00:11:13] we harped on a lot about who the backup quarterback is.
[00:11:15] I think Roman was kind of a clear cut,
[00:11:16] um,
[00:11:17] number two guy this season,
[00:11:18] but you're,
[00:11:24] coming season.
[00:11:25] I think the arm talents,
[00:11:26] there are a lot of reason to be,
[00:11:27] um,
[00:11:28] excited about him,
[00:11:28] but let's turn it over now to some of our skill position guys.
[00:11:31] Um,
[00:11:31] Connor,
[00:11:32] I know you've got,
[00:11:33] you've got the insight on our local talent DJ.
[00:11:36] Yeah.
[00:11:37] I mean,
[00:11:38] DJ Taylor,
[00:11:38] he's one of the most complete backs in the state.
[00:11:41] You look at the guy,
[00:11:42] he's six,
[00:11:42] one,
[00:11:42] one 86 with frame to put on well over 200 pounds.
[00:11:45] So you've got that power obviously,
[00:11:47] but also the speed.
[00:11:48] I mean,
[00:11:48] the guy is a legit four,
[00:11:49] four,
[00:11:50] four,
[00:11:50] five sprinter.
[00:11:51] Um,
[00:11:52] so he can,
[00:11:52] he can give you both those options.
[00:11:54] So he's a good blocker.
[00:11:56] Um,
[00:11:56] he can catch passes out of the backfield,
[00:11:57] especially on those,
[00:11:58] those wheel,
[00:11:59] right wheel routes and screens,
[00:12:01] but probably the thing that excites me the most about him.
[00:12:04] And I'm,
[00:12:05] I'm not going to say he's Jordan James,
[00:12:06] but the patience that he brings,
[00:12:08] uh,
[00:12:09] in just taking those two,
[00:12:10] three yard gains and not getting frustrated.
[00:12:13] And then obviously bursting at the middle for a 40 yard touchdown run,
[00:12:16] like he did against Oakland or letting him play,
[00:12:18] he's developed.
[00:12:19] It reminds me a lot of what Jordan James did in high school at Oakland.
[00:12:22] And he's a big kid.
[00:12:24] Like that's something too,
[00:12:25] that I think can be taken for granted when you're getting kids out of high
[00:12:27] school.
[00:12:27] Like he is,
[00:12:28] when you put them on the,
[00:12:29] on the,
[00:12:29] on the chart now of,
[00:12:30] of running backs,
[00:12:31] he's already a big guy at six,
[00:12:33] one one 95.
[00:12:34] That's what I have him at.
[00:12:35] But I mean,
[00:12:35] that's a,
[00:12:36] that's a large kid to be going into college.
[00:12:41] All right.
[00:12:42] So next we got another,
[00:12:43] uh,
[00:12:43] continuing our skill position,
[00:12:45] Neo Clifton,
[00:12:46] another local guy from Brentwood Academy wide receiver.
[00:12:48] Shane,
[00:12:48] what's,
[00:12:49] on Neo?
[00:12:51] Uh,
[00:12:52] this is absolutely a guy to be excited about.
[00:12:54] He offers,
[00:12:55] I wouldn't say maybe a unique,
[00:12:57] but he offers different,
[00:12:58] uh,
[00:12:59] different skillset relative to the MTSU roster.
[00:13:02] He has the size six,
[00:13:05] two one 95 and he can,
[00:13:07] he can get down the field.
[00:13:09] He can have the routes in the middle of the field.
[00:13:13] He can offer,
[00:13:13] um,
[00:13:15] explosive playmaking in a variety of ways that just the outside receivers on this
[00:13:21] roster right now,
[00:13:21] they do not have a guy like that.
[00:13:24] And getting to have a guy like that will open up a lot,
[00:13:26] whether it's body auto or Roman Gagliano or Stanley Anderson lofted,
[00:13:30] and,
[00:13:31] and just having that reliable,
[00:13:33] uh,
[00:13:34] and consistent target.
[00:13:35] And I,
[00:13:35] he really broke,
[00:13:36] he really broke out as a senior this year,
[00:13:39] uh,
[00:13:39] with the new coaching staff who maybe used him more to his strengths and got him
[00:13:44] down the field on the sideline.
[00:13:47] He's amazing on all three levels.
[00:13:50] And an interesting fact about him,
[00:13:52] I will say is he's very familiar with coach Mason.
[00:13:55] Um,
[00:13:55] his older brother,
[00:13:56] Nate Clifton was recruited to Vanderbilt by Derrick Mason.
[00:14:00] And so there is already some familiarity with the coaching staff there.
[00:14:05] Yeah,
[00:14:05] it's certainly an interesting aspect about him as far as already having that family
[00:14:09] ties to coach Mason.
[00:14:11] Um,
[00:14:11] but one thing about,
[00:14:12] um,
[00:14:13] Neo in particular was his ability to make catches,
[00:14:15] um,
[00:14:16] in traffic.
[00:14:16] I was super impressed with that,
[00:14:17] but another guy that has obviously portrayed that same ability,
[00:14:20] um,
[00:14:21] is Ben Hubbard and,
[00:14:22] um,
[00:14:23] Connor,
[00:14:23] I know you got the lowdown on Ben.
[00:14:25] Yeah,
[00:14:25] Ben,
[00:14:26] I mean,
[00:14:26] he's a do it all receiver.
[00:14:27] One of my favorite guys in his class,
[00:14:29] because obviously he runs his normal routes.
[00:14:31] He also brings a lot of eye candy to an offense like body readers where the guy
[00:14:36] can do a jailbreaker or a bubble screen.
[00:14:38] I mean,
[00:14:38] he can go in a jet sweep motion.
[00:14:41] Um,
[00:14:41] the guy can line up in the slot and on the outside.
[00:14:44] Yeah.
[00:14:44] I mean,
[00:14:44] he's do it all guy.
[00:14:45] He looks a little small,
[00:14:46] just like from the,
[00:14:47] from the sheet,
[00:14:48] five,
[00:14:48] nine,
[00:14:48] one 75,
[00:14:49] but he makes up for it and speed and just pure muscle guy is,
[00:14:53] is built very well,
[00:14:54] runs 22 miles an hour in game.
[00:14:56] He's a guy,
[00:14:57] like I said,
[00:14:58] can,
[00:14:58] can give Bodie reader that eye candy that he tried to do with Omari Kelly so
[00:15:02] many times.
[00:15:03] Um,
[00:15:04] Ben's,
[00:15:04] he's a really shifty guy.
[00:15:05] I think my favorite part about him is whether it be,
[00:15:08] he's just shaking a guy and getting over the dirt over the defense,
[00:15:11] or he just takes a five yard gain to the crib.
[00:15:13] I mean,
[00:15:14] the guy is very shifty.
[00:15:15] He will GQ out.
[00:15:16] He'll,
[00:15:16] he'll run you over.
[00:15:17] Um,
[00:15:18] just a really exciting prospect.
[00:15:20] And how fast is this kid?
[00:15:23] 22 miles an hour in game.
[00:15:25] Yeah.
[00:15:26] I don't,
[00:15:26] I don't know that many people know or can fathom that number,
[00:15:29] but that's,
[00:15:30] I mean,
[00:15:30] that's pretty quick.
[00:15:30] And again,
[00:15:31] when you apply that to a kid that hasn't had the experience of a college,
[00:15:34] um,
[00:15:34] showing the conditioning program,
[00:15:36] like where that ability kind of takes you.
[00:15:38] So yeah,
[00:15:38] a lot of reasons to be excited about Hubbard again,
[00:15:41] local product there out of Williamson County at Ravenwood high school.
[00:15:44] Um,
[00:15:45] but our next guy,
[00:15:46] um,
[00:15:46] talk about the skill positions,
[00:15:48] Wilson Hodge,
[00:15:48] um,
[00:15:49] another,
[00:15:50] another guy that I don't know where he,
[00:15:53] Austin,
[00:15:53] when we get to him,
[00:15:54] he'll kind of talk a little bit more about where this guy fits necessarily in,
[00:15:57] in the whole system because Wilson isn't,
[00:15:59] he's going to be listed as a tight end.
[00:16:01] But when,
[00:16:01] again,
[00:16:02] our,
[00:16:02] our vision of a,
[00:16:03] of a tight end of the blue Raider fan,
[00:16:04] maybe skewed a little bit because of guys like Holden Willis,
[00:16:06] where,
[00:16:07] um,
[00:16:07] we talk about Wilson Hodge here.
[00:16:09] Um,
[00:16:10] Shane,
[00:16:10] he,
[00:16:10] he's kind of,
[00:16:11] uh,
[00:16:11] I would say your typical,
[00:16:13] your archetypical tight end,
[00:16:15] who is more of a run pass blocker first,
[00:16:17] but can has the ability to catch balls as you'll see with these highlights.
[00:16:21] Yes.
[00:16:21] He's very long,
[00:16:23] six,
[00:16:23] five,
[00:16:23] two 30.
[00:16:23] And he's a very good blocker.
[00:16:25] He can seal off the opposing linebacker or defensive end,
[00:16:29] which when you play his highlights,
[00:16:31] he'll probably mostly be blocking,
[00:16:33] uh,
[00:16:33] with the type of offense where they always have dynamic running backs there at
[00:16:38] Montgomery Catholic under a coach Johnson.
[00:16:40] And he just seals it off for them.
[00:16:42] I think this year he was kind of hurt.
[00:16:44] The guy missed a lot of the start of the year,
[00:16:47] but last year he really flashed as a receiver.
[00:16:49] So I think there's some untapped potential there that,
[00:16:52] uh,
[00:16:52] the coaching staff can work with,
[00:16:54] but I mean,
[00:16:55] he can get you any kind of blocking right away that you need.
[00:16:59] And you're going to see that in these highlights right here.
[00:17:02] Yeah.
[00:17:02] Uh,
[00:17:03] again,
[00:17:03] if you're not viewing this on YouTube,
[00:17:04] I highly encourage you to do so.
[00:17:06] So you can see some of these guys in action,
[00:17:07] but Wilson is definitely,
[00:17:09] again,
[00:17:09] I mean,
[00:17:10] as much,
[00:17:10] as much of a right tackle as he could be,
[00:17:12] uh,
[00:17:13] tied in on a lot of these blocks.
[00:17:14] I mean,
[00:17:15] he's a big body certainly.
[00:17:17] Um,
[00:17:17] lastly here,
[00:17:18] as we continue our talk with our skill position guys,
[00:17:21] uh,
[00:17:21] another local guy,
[00:17:22] as well,
[00:17:23] I'm sure we'll say this a whole bunch today is going to be,
[00:17:26] uh,
[00:17:26] Rocky Chandler out of Shelbyville central.
[00:17:28] Um,
[00:17:29] and our guy there is going to be,
[00:17:30] Connor,
[00:17:31] what you got on Rocky?
[00:17:32] Well,
[00:17:33] first object,
[00:17:33] like you said,
[00:17:34] a lot of homegrown local talent.
[00:17:35] I mean,
[00:17:35] 10 guys from the class from the state of Tennessee,
[00:17:37] um,
[00:17:38] more specifically middle Tennessee,
[00:17:40] which is great to see coach Mason kind of guys,
[00:17:43] but Rocky Chandler,
[00:17:44] he was hurt most of the year.
[00:17:45] So he didn't play.
[00:17:46] He's got a rehab process.
[00:17:47] He's got to go through.
[00:17:49] He's,
[00:17:49] he's a really speedy guy.
[00:17:50] Whereas you have like a DJ Taylor who can do it all power speed.
[00:17:54] Rocky's more of a speed guy that likes to run outside.
[00:17:57] I think he's kind of like a flip cradle and in a sense,
[00:18:01] um,
[00:18:01] really good outside speedy guy that can kind of compliment a bruising running
[00:18:05] back,
[00:18:05] kind of like a DJ Taylor.
[00:18:07] Um,
[00:18:08] but whenever he does go inside the tackles,
[00:18:10] like I said,
[00:18:11] very fast.
[00:18:11] I used to see right there on the highlight goes through the,
[00:18:13] the blocks.
[00:18:15] And if he,
[00:18:15] if he gets past you,
[00:18:17] he's gone.
[00:18:17] Like that guy is insanely fast.
[00:18:21] Definitely.
[00:18:22] One of the faster guys here,
[00:18:23] along with DJ talk about two kids that are quick from the backfield.
[00:18:27] Um,
[00:18:27] that's that,
[00:18:28] I mean,
[00:18:28] that's,
[00:18:28] that's a quite a few amount of skill guys there is you got to running
[00:18:31] backs.
[00:18:31] You've got two wide receivers and you've got to tie it in Austin.
[00:18:34] I think that's about as balanced of an approach as you can have when it
[00:18:37] comes to a signing class,
[00:18:38] any of these kids that necessarily excite you,
[00:18:41] or you think that could possibly see the playing field this upcoming,
[00:18:43] um,
[00:18:44] fall.
[00:18:45] It may be just because I'm from Riverdale and I graduated from Riverdale,
[00:18:49] uh,
[00:18:49] almost 20 years ago,
[00:18:50] but I love DJ Taylor.
[00:18:52] Um,
[00:18:53] Um,
[00:18:53] I love his vision.
[00:18:54] I love his patience.
[00:18:55] I love his burst.
[00:18:57] There's a lot to like about him.
[00:18:59] You get him a college weight room,
[00:19:00] a program,
[00:19:01] get him up to two Oh five to 10.
[00:19:03] Uh,
[00:19:04] he'll be a great all round every down back,
[00:19:07] uh,
[00:19:08] for,
[00:19:08] for Derek Mason and Bodie reader,
[00:19:09] uh,
[00:19:10] at the receiver position.
[00:19:11] I love Neo Clifton.
[00:19:13] Uh,
[00:19:14] there's,
[00:19:14] he is rangy.
[00:19:16] He goes up and he attacks the ball with his hands.
[00:19:19] And when you're split out wide,
[00:19:21] you're going on those vertical routes.
[00:19:22] You need the ability to attack the ball.
[00:19:25] Not every receiver does that.
[00:19:27] Titans fans are familiar with Traylon Burks.
[00:19:28] That's one of his weaknesses.
[00:19:29] He doesn't attack the ball.
[00:19:32] Clifton does a great job of doing that,
[00:19:34] but you have two receivers,
[00:19:35] you have two backs,
[00:19:36] you have a tight end.
[00:19:38] So you're starting to replenish that debt,
[00:19:40] that four year debt process already for,
[00:19:43] for Derek Mason,
[00:19:44] as he looks to 2025 and 2026 and even 2027,
[00:19:48] building out the roster for the future.
[00:19:52] Absolutely.
[00:19:53] That's a good,
[00:19:54] strong group.
[00:19:54] Really?
[00:19:54] That's the one,
[00:19:55] but this,
[00:19:56] this group,
[00:19:56] especially that we're going to be talking to move our attention back into
[00:19:59] the trenches.
[00:19:59] I'm an area that we all know needed to be addresses as we,
[00:20:02] as we preface there,
[00:20:04] when we talk about the transfer portal,
[00:20:05] um,
[00:20:06] these guys,
[00:20:07] and I know we,
[00:20:07] we highlighted this a lot after Mason's first signing class back in
[00:20:10] the spring with his,
[00:20:11] some of his transfers that he brought in,
[00:20:13] um,
[00:20:14] big guys.
[00:20:14] I mean,
[00:20:15] these are,
[00:20:15] these are some big body guys and,
[00:20:16] and some of them,
[00:20:17] um,
[00:20:18] and I,
[00:20:19] two in particular that I really like in regards to kind of being already
[00:20:22] in college shape as far as their size go.
[00:20:24] Um,
[00:20:25] but Connor,
[00:20:25] our first guy that we're going to talk about is a Rutherford County kid,
[00:20:29] uh,
[00:20:29] Bo Brian from Rockville.
[00:20:30] Yeah.
[00:20:31] Bo's a big kid.
[00:20:31] Like you said,
[00:20:32] six,
[00:20:32] five to 90.
[00:20:33] It's not bad way either.
[00:20:34] I mean,
[00:20:34] I I've seen the kid in person multiple times.
[00:20:37] He he's fairly lean for,
[00:20:38] for alignment.
[00:20:39] Um,
[00:20:40] very,
[00:20:40] very physical to point attack,
[00:20:41] very physical and mean,
[00:20:42] which is what you want for your alignment.
[00:20:44] I mean,
[00:20:44] you want them to go out there with violent intentions and boaters does just
[00:20:48] that.
[00:20:48] I mean,
[00:20:48] he's got solid footwork needs a little bit of work on there,
[00:20:51] but I mean,
[00:20:53] he's going to have Kendall Simmons to help him.
[00:20:54] So that's not a big issue whatsoever.
[00:20:57] Um,
[00:20:58] but he's a versatile guy.
[00:21:00] He played guard pretty much all high school.
[00:21:02] He moved to tackle this year,
[00:21:05] right tackle and has really not skipped a beat whatsoever.
[00:21:08] I mean,
[00:21:08] the guy,
[00:21:08] he looks very comfortable in open space.
[00:21:11] Um,
[00:21:12] it's up the ball very,
[00:21:13] very well and,
[00:21:14] and hits most people before they even think about him hitting them,
[00:21:17] which is my favorite thing about him.
[00:21:19] Just how fast he gets off the ball and creates holes for,
[00:21:21] for his,
[00:21:22] um,
[00:21:22] running backs.
[00:21:24] But yeah,
[00:21:24] I mean,
[00:21:24] Bo's a guy that I mentioned Simon Wilson in the transfer portal segment about how
[00:21:28] he can play multiple positions.
[00:21:30] That's the same with Bo.
[00:21:31] Bo can play right tackle,
[00:21:32] guard,
[00:21:33] center,
[00:21:33] all that.
[00:21:35] Right.
[00:21:36] Well,
[00:21:36] I love too,
[00:21:37] is some of these runs,
[00:21:38] these run blocking schemes that he's doing.
[00:21:40] I mean,
[00:21:40] the guy's getting to the second level.
[00:21:41] There's a lot,
[00:21:41] there's a lot to like when a kid is able to,
[00:21:43] to do that.
[00:21:44] I mean,
[00:21:44] especially as big as he is another Ravenwood signee for us though,
[00:21:48] is,
[00:21:48] uh,
[00:21:49] is Kyle Larkin played a lot of left tackle,
[00:21:50] uh,
[00:21:51] this year for Ravenwood.
[00:21:53] Shane,
[00:21:53] what do you got on Kyle?
[00:21:54] Yeah.
[00:21:55] And I think he has the potential to be the future left tackle for the blue
[00:21:58] Raiders.
[00:21:59] He has the length at six,
[00:22:00] six to 85.
[00:22:01] And I mean,
[00:22:02] he can add a lot of weight without sacrificing the athleticism.
[00:22:07] He has Ravenwood likes to run the ball.
[00:22:09] So you'll have to,
[00:22:10] I want to say his pass protection is bad,
[00:22:12] but it's more just mirroring the,
[00:22:15] uh,
[00:22:16] defensive end as opposed to maybe getting in past sets.
[00:22:20] So you got,
[00:22:20] you'll have to work with him a little bit there,
[00:22:22] but I think the future is very bright for,
[00:22:26] uh,
[00:22:26] Mr.
[00:22:26] Larkin.
[00:22:27] And he was left tackle last couple of years for a very prolific offense.
[00:22:32] And I think he has all the tools to be that entrenched blindside
[00:22:38] protector.
[00:22:39] Once,
[00:22:40] you know,
[00:22:40] you get some college coaching and college strength staff to work with him in
[00:22:44] the future.
[00:22:45] Which I think is,
[00:22:46] is a vital point to make this kid in general,
[00:22:49] like you said,
[00:22:50] very athletic.
[00:22:51] I mean,
[00:22:51] um,
[00:22:52] he's strong and that's for certain.
[00:22:54] So again,
[00:22:54] imagine what an off season is it?
[00:22:56] My understanding that he's going to be one of the early enrollees.
[00:22:59] He is.
[00:22:59] Yes.
[00:23:00] Him and,
[00:23:00] um,
[00:23:00] Stanley Anderson Lofton will be the two early enrollees coming in for the
[00:23:05] spring practice period.
[00:23:07] Yeah.
[00:23:07] I mean,
[00:23:08] and that's huge.
[00:23:09] And we've spoken with coach Blatnick and back in fall camp or back in
[00:23:13] early fall camp about how important it is to get that,
[00:23:15] that year underneath you.
[00:23:17] And a guy like Kyle,
[00:23:17] like I could imagine if you give him a spring,
[00:23:19] a summer with a weightlifting,
[00:23:21] uh,
[00:23:21] regimen that he,
[00:23:22] I mean,
[00:23:23] he might even be pretty close to game ready.
[00:23:25] I don't know that it'll be starting at a left tackle game one,
[00:23:27] but I think he's obviously going to work himself into that role.
[00:23:30] It all depends on,
[00:23:31] I know you give me that look shame,
[00:23:32] but it all depends on what happens with this portal season.
[00:23:34] I mean,
[00:23:34] he's a kid that I think is,
[00:23:36] I think he could be college ready.
[00:23:37] So,
[00:23:38] um,
[00:23:38] I will say this.
[00:23:39] We did not expect Zach Clayton to be playing left or right tackle year
[00:23:43] one.
[00:23:43] So I will give you that.
[00:23:45] Yeah.
[00:23:45] That's a good point.
[00:23:47] Yeah.
[00:23:47] I thought he did.
[00:23:48] He did.
[00:23:48] Okay.
[00:23:48] But that's a good point.
[00:23:49] Yeah.
[00:23:49] I mean,
[00:23:50] he might be called upon to play,
[00:23:52] um,
[00:23:52] given our circumstance.
[00:23:53] Um,
[00:23:54] but lastly,
[00:23:54] our,
[00:23:55] our,
[00:23:55] our final offensive lineman signee is,
[00:23:57] is,
[00:23:57] Otto van Rensburg there from Sevier counties played in a state
[00:24:00] championship this last weekend.
[00:24:01] Connor,
[00:24:02] what you got?
[00:24:03] Yeah,
[00:24:03] this is a guy that coach Kendall Simmons.
[00:24:05] He loves this guy.
[00:24:06] Um,
[00:24:06] really good run blocker,
[00:24:07] really good run blocker.
[00:24:09] He's physical to point attack quick off the ball,
[00:24:11] but something that I think goes unnoticed is his blocking,
[00:24:15] his blocking ability in open space.
[00:24:18] I mean,
[00:24:18] they run a lot of screen stuff,
[00:24:19] kind of like what Ravenwood does with Ben Hubbard.
[00:24:22] And if you're a guy like,
[00:24:23] uh,
[00:24:24] Bodie who wants to show eye candy,
[00:24:26] put some screens in there,
[00:24:27] you got to have guys that can block and open space.
[00:24:30] And Otto,
[00:24:31] Otto has shown that he can do that.
[00:24:33] Got good size.
[00:24:35] Um,
[00:24:35] the only thing I think he needs to work on is a true pass set.
[00:24:40] It's a little rusty,
[00:24:41] but that's the only thing that I see about this kid.
[00:24:43] Like I said,
[00:24:44] really good at the point of attack.
[00:24:45] He's good out in space.
[00:24:46] Uh,
[00:24:47] good off the ball.
[00:24:49] Yeah.
[00:24:49] Uh,
[00:24:50] so you got,
[00:24:51] you got your two tackles.
[00:24:52] You've got a,
[00:24:52] you've got an interior lineman in auto.
[00:24:54] Another thing about auto too,
[00:24:56] is,
[00:24:56] uh,
[00:24:56] I know that he plays a lot of both ways at severe County.
[00:24:58] So he's again,
[00:24:59] a guy that has that athletic ability because it,
[00:25:01] because he's having to play both sides of the football.
[00:25:03] Um,
[00:25:04] and he does pretty well for himself on the defensive side of the ball too.
[00:25:07] So I'm not saying,
[00:25:08] I'm not going to,
[00:25:08] I'll speculate that this kid has a potential of playing both ways,
[00:25:12] at least being tried out early going into college.
[00:25:14] But obviously,
[00:25:15] as you said,
[00:25:16] his run blocking ability is,
[00:25:17] is pretty good for,
[00:25:18] um,
[00:25:19] high school senior,
[00:25:20] but Austin,
[00:25:21] um,
[00:25:21] that,
[00:25:21] for that rounds out all the offensive,
[00:25:23] uh,
[00:25:24] signees.
[00:25:24] Tell me about some of these kids.
[00:25:25] Where do you think,
[00:25:26] um,
[00:25:26] the offense looks?
[00:25:27] I know that again,
[00:25:28] how many of these kids will be playing this next year,
[00:25:30] but how does this offense look with this class?
[00:25:32] Yeah.
[00:25:32] When it comes to playing next year,
[00:25:34] that's,
[00:25:34] that's for the player to decide.
[00:25:36] Uh,
[00:25:36] for me personally,
[00:25:38] um,
[00:25:38] the jump from high school to college is a really hard jump and not a lot of
[00:25:43] guys can make the jump from,
[00:25:46] uh,
[00:25:47] starting on Friday night to starting on Saturday night.
[00:25:49] But what you like to see is the size.
[00:25:51] All the guys are big.
[00:25:53] Uh,
[00:25:53] they're six,
[00:25:54] five plus six,
[00:25:55] four,
[00:25:55] six,
[00:25:55] five plus.
[00:25:56] They have the frame,
[00:25:57] um,
[00:25:58] to carry even more weight,
[00:25:59] to get up to 300 to three 10.
[00:26:01] Um,
[00:26:02] they're athletic so they can move in space.
[00:26:04] And so they're,
[00:26:05] they're,
[00:26:06] um,
[00:26:06] they're not scheme dependent.
[00:26:08] They can,
[00:26:08] they,
[00:26:08] they have the athleticism to run the zone and they,
[00:26:11] they'll be able to get to some size with a red shirt season to run some gap
[00:26:15] schemes in the run game as well.
[00:26:18] Do you think that that has been a focus with this signing class in particular?
[00:26:22] Like,
[00:26:22] obviously we know we've had our run struggles.
[00:26:25] You've got two good,
[00:26:25] you've got two good running backs entering.
[00:26:27] You feel good about this offensive line signing class in particular.
[00:26:31] I mean,
[00:26:31] do you,
[00:26:31] do you see Bodie reader or maybe even Mason trying to move his,
[00:26:36] his roster into that position?
[00:26:38] Yeah.
[00:26:38] One of the things you,
[00:26:40] you hate to throw the previous regime under the bus,
[00:26:43] but one of the things about stocks regime is it seemed to me,
[00:26:46] it felt to me like most of their offensive linemen were a little undersized,
[00:26:51] uh,
[00:26:52] for division one level.
[00:26:53] Um,
[00:26:53] and it showed in the run game.
[00:26:55] I think Mason is trying to move to more of a division one size offensive line,
[00:27:01] guys who are six,
[00:27:01] four,
[00:27:02] six,
[00:27:02] five,
[00:27:03] six,
[00:27:03] six.
[00:27:04] They're 300.
[00:27:04] They have the arm length.
[00:27:06] Um,
[00:27:06] um,
[00:27:07] they have the power,
[00:27:08] uh,
[00:27:09] they have the frame to carry even more weight.
[00:27:11] And those are things that you have to have.
[00:27:14] If you want to be physical,
[00:27:15] tough and intelligent,
[00:27:17] uh,
[00:27:17] as Mason has,
[00:27:18] has talked about in the past,
[00:27:19] it starts with being physical and you've got to have the frame to be physical
[00:27:23] and,
[00:27:23] and stocks offensive line,
[00:27:25] uh,
[00:27:26] good guys,
[00:27:27] but they,
[00:27:28] they're not a physical,
[00:27:29] they were designed more for finesse run game.
[00:27:32] And,
[00:27:32] and you've got to have the size to be,
[00:27:34] have a physical run game.
[00:27:36] Right.
[00:27:36] Yeah.
[00:27:37] I think the,
[00:27:37] again,
[00:27:38] one thing that wowed us is the size of a lot of those signees and these guys in
[00:27:41] particular,
[00:27:41] Bo and Kyle are six,
[00:27:43] five,
[00:27:44] six,
[00:27:44] four.
[00:27:44] Um,
[00:27:45] and even auto for that matter is six,
[00:27:47] four.
[00:27:47] Um,
[00:27:48] but as an interior lineman,
[00:27:49] that's still pretty good size.
[00:27:51] I think he's,
[00:27:51] he's closing in on 300 pounds.
[00:27:53] Um,
[00:27:53] so again,
[00:27:55] I think the offense is moving in the right direction with the signing class.
[00:27:57] And again,
[00:27:58] I I'll hone in a lot on the ability of some of these kids to,
[00:28:01] to be able to play this next season.
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[00:28:37] Let's turn our attention over to the defensive side of the ball.
[00:28:40] Um,
[00:28:41] we're in the trenches.
[00:28:42] Let's keep our talk here in the trenches.
[00:28:44] Um,
[00:28:44] starting things off for us.
[00:28:46] Um,
[00:28:46] it's going to be Shane.
[00:28:47] You got a Darnell,
[00:28:48] which would do you have on Darnell malpress?
[00:28:50] Uh,
[00:28:51] but first off,
[00:28:52] they wanted to add length on the edge.
[00:28:53] You have the guys last year,
[00:28:56] maybe smaller,
[00:28:57] maybe more than typical big defensive end.
[00:28:59] They need to have that edge presence.
[00:29:01] And they had the length,
[00:29:03] the explosiveness at six,
[00:29:04] three,
[00:29:05] 215 pounds.
[00:29:06] You have to put on a lot of weight,
[00:29:07] obviously,
[00:29:08] but just the raw potential there.
[00:29:11] There's a lot to be excited about.
[00:29:13] And he had a really,
[00:29:15] really good senior season.
[00:29:16] He finally put it all together and he recorded,
[00:29:20] you know,
[00:29:20] several sacks,
[00:29:21] several TFLs,
[00:29:22] everything you want to see.
[00:29:23] And that's a guy they're excited about in the longterm that they can maybe
[00:29:27] work with and see what he can become.
[00:29:30] Yeah.
[00:29:30] Weren't able to get numbers on him,
[00:29:32] but one thing again,
[00:29:33] watching the film on him,
[00:29:34] a great open field tackler.
[00:29:36] Um,
[00:29:36] he doesn't seem to outrun,
[00:29:38] um,
[00:29:39] quarterbacks very often.
[00:29:40] He's got quite,
[00:29:41] quite the reach as if you're going to,
[00:29:42] if you're watching any of these,
[00:29:43] I mean,
[00:29:43] he's,
[00:29:43] he's single arm grabbing a lot of these quarterbacks.
[00:29:46] So,
[00:29:46] um,
[00:29:46] that's,
[00:29:47] that's something to be,
[00:29:48] um,
[00:29:49] uh,
[00:29:49] to be excited about in general.
[00:29:51] But yeah,
[00:29:51] I think,
[00:29:51] I think the one maybe downside to him is obviously the size,
[00:29:54] but as Austin just spoke to what,
[00:29:56] what,
[00:29:56] what these kids can put on after a couple of years of getting in the college,
[00:29:59] um,
[00:30:00] shape,
[00:30:00] if you will,
[00:30:01] that these kids can take off,
[00:30:03] but one kid in particular,
[00:30:04] um,
[00:30:04] that isn't going to need any help in regards to the weight that may already be
[00:30:07] on and maybe transforming that weight a little bit,
[00:30:09] um,
[00:30:10] it's going to be the black men,
[00:30:11] Archie Roseman,
[00:30:12] the fifth,
[00:30:12] the silverback Connor,
[00:30:13] what do you got on Archie?
[00:30:15] This guy is a massive human being six,
[00:30:17] three,
[00:30:18] 340 pounds.
[00:30:19] I mean,
[00:30:20] as you said,
[00:30:20] his nickname is the silverback gorilla.
[00:30:22] And he,
[00:30:23] he shows up on the field.
[00:30:24] I mean,
[00:30:24] the guy is very,
[00:30:26] very physical on the interior line,
[00:30:28] which that's what they've,
[00:30:28] they've wanted.
[00:30:29] Um,
[00:30:30] a big,
[00:30:30] big thing this year with MTSU's defense is they don't play strong up front to
[00:30:35] make the,
[00:30:36] the guy stay in the pocket or bounce outside where there's more help.
[00:30:39] Archie is going to be able to do it,
[00:30:40] to do that for you,
[00:30:41] potentially a rotational guy year one,
[00:30:43] maybe,
[00:30:43] um,
[00:30:45] like I said,
[00:30:45] 340,
[00:30:46] he needs to trim some of that weight down.
[00:30:47] I'd love to get him to about three 15,
[00:30:49] three 20,
[00:30:50] and put some muscle back on him.
[00:30:51] But I mean,
[00:30:52] yeah,
[00:30:52] this guy,
[00:30:53] he's one of my favorite players in the class might be the favorite in this
[00:30:56] class.
[00:30:56] Um,
[00:30:56] very strong controls the interior line.
[00:30:59] He's a guy that his stats won't pop out to you.
[00:31:02] Cause he's like Austin.
[00:31:03] I were talking about earlier.
[00:31:04] He's a Tavondre sweat,
[00:31:05] Jordan Davis type guy where his job is to clog the holes and stuff the run to
[00:31:12] where your address is get one-on-one,
[00:31:13] um,
[00:31:14] and get a free shot at the quarterback.
[00:31:16] This guy also for his size,
[00:31:18] extremely athletic,
[00:31:19] very athletic.
[00:31:20] I watched his playoff game against Rockville where he went up against Jalen,
[00:31:24] Jalen Morgan,
[00:31:25] who was a wildcat quarterback.
[00:31:26] Kids,
[00:31:27] 180 pounds,
[00:31:27] four-star DB going to Georgia.
[00:31:29] Archie chased this guy down four different times.
[00:31:32] So at three 40,
[00:31:34] I would love to see what he's like at three 15,
[00:31:36] three 20 with that athleticism.
[00:31:38] Yeah,
[00:31:39] no,
[00:31:39] I agree.
[00:31:40] I,
[00:31:40] that was one thing when we talked about signing him and I've seen him a lot,
[00:31:43] obviously covering weather for County sports as you have as well.
[00:31:46] Um,
[00:31:46] the potential for a kid like that,
[00:31:48] that again,
[00:31:48] trimmed to trim him down because he is athletic and looking at a size already,
[00:31:52] you have to imagine he's very Felix Hickson esque.
[00:31:55] Who's also a very young guy.
[00:31:56] So you were able to kind of get that one,
[00:31:58] two punch there on your interior defensive line.
[00:32:01] Um,
[00:32:01] that certainly could,
[00:32:02] could transform a lot.
[00:32:03] Austin,
[00:32:04] do you kind of share that same sentiment?
[00:32:06] Yeah.
[00:32:08] Archie may be my favorite defensive signing.
[00:32:11] Um,
[00:32:12] we talked earlier,
[00:32:13] Connor mentioned about reminding me of to bond Ray sweat from the Titans.
[00:32:16] This guy,
[00:32:17] uh,
[00:32:18] Roseman walks in and he blocks out the sun is the analogy Mason used in the
[00:32:22] press conference.
[00:32:23] And this guy is a massive human being probably needs to trim up a little bit,
[00:32:27] could work on his short area quickness,
[00:32:30] but he is a,
[00:33:00] a big boy.
[00:33:01] throwing guys aside.
[00:33:03] It's,
[00:33:03] it's,
[00:33:03] it's ridiculous.
[00:33:05] Um,
[00:33:05] just watching him play.
[00:33:07] And then you look at,
[00:33:08] um,
[00:33:11] Darnell and Darnell,
[00:33:13] I put in the chat,
[00:33:15] has tremendous bend.
[00:33:17] Like this guy,
[00:33:18] he knows how to get low as he's going around the corner,
[00:33:22] going around the edge.
[00:33:23] He's a guy for me kind of reminds me more of just an outside backer,
[00:33:28] edge rusher type in the three,
[00:33:30] four system.
[00:33:30] The guy's going to kind of,
[00:33:32] the guy's going to kind of get low and just make some wreak some havoc off the
[00:33:35] edge.
[00:33:36] And I'm excited to see what he does after a year or two in a college weight room,
[00:33:41] maybe get him up to about two 35,
[00:33:44] two 45 and what he can do with that kind of size and that kind of bend long term.
[00:33:50] Right.
[00:33:50] Yeah.
[00:33:50] Those that's,
[00:33:51] that's a good group right there.
[00:33:52] Um,
[00:33:53] I'll be a small,
[00:33:53] but I think that group in general is going to be very effective.
[00:33:55] And I know that that's an area too,
[00:33:56] that I think Mason's going to hit a lot harder on the,
[00:33:59] the transfer portal side of things when we're talking about addressing,
[00:34:02] um,
[00:34:03] the trenches on the defensive side.
[00:34:04] But,
[00:34:04] um,
[00:34:05] another area,
[00:34:06] uh,
[00:34:06] as we talked about two on the transfer portal was the secondary.
[00:34:09] We've got a few guys,
[00:34:10] three in,
[00:34:11] in the portal right now that play that secondary.
[00:34:13] Um,
[00:34:14] but the guys that we signed in particular this last week,
[00:34:16] um,
[00:34:17] are going to be that of,
[00:34:18] of DBs.
[00:34:20] Um,
[00:34:20] and I know that,
[00:34:21] um,
[00:34:21] Connor,
[00:34:22] you,
[00:34:22] you know a lot about,
[00:34:23] some of these DVs,
[00:34:24] but one in particular that I know that you,
[00:34:25] you're really high on is going to be a lot Kennedy.
[00:34:28] Yeah.
[00:34:28] Lock.
[00:34:29] I mean,
[00:34:29] first off he plays with his hair on fire.
[00:34:30] You watch the film.
[00:34:31] The guy will start,
[00:34:32] you know,
[00:34:33] 20 yards,
[00:34:33] um,
[00:34:35] in the defensive backfield.
[00:34:37] And if they run a screen or a pitch or something like that,
[00:34:39] he's back there in a split second,
[00:34:42] making the tackle,
[00:34:43] very good open field tackler.
[00:34:44] Like I said,
[00:34:44] plays with his hair on fire.
[00:34:46] He he's more of a coverage guy.
[00:34:48] Uh,
[00:34:48] I know like Chris Noble is the ball hawk that we love,
[00:34:51] but lock does not get beat over the top because he plays.
[00:34:55] So what?
[00:34:55] So good coverage that they don't try him.
[00:34:58] And whenever they do try him,
[00:34:59] it's an interception or deflection.
[00:35:02] I mean,
[00:35:02] he's only gotten beat maybe once or twice this year.
[00:35:05] Lock.
[00:35:07] He was kind of a late bloomer in terms of being recruited.
[00:35:10] I mean,
[00:35:10] I think we offered him two months ago,
[00:35:12] if that,
[00:35:13] and the staff loved him,
[00:35:15] they had him on campus the week after he was offered and he committed
[00:35:18] about two weeks ago.
[00:35:19] And that's a guy that the staff became familiar with not too long ago,
[00:35:24] but they loved his game so much that he's now been wearing blue and white.
[00:35:28] But a funny thing yesterday in the press conference,
[00:35:31] coach Mason was saying that lock and Chris Noble give him some traits
[00:35:37] and qualities are like reminders of traits and qualities of Kevin Byer
[00:35:40] and Ree Blankenship.
[00:35:42] And I think those guys were pretty good in college.
[00:35:44] Just a little bit.
[00:35:46] Yeah,
[00:35:47] that's,
[00:35:47] that's a pretty,
[00:35:47] that's,
[00:35:48] that's a pretty good comparison.
[00:35:49] If you put it that way,
[00:35:50] that,
[00:35:51] I mean,
[00:35:51] how special these guys could particularly be.
[00:35:53] Um,
[00:35:54] but another one of his partners.
[00:35:56] Are you guys old enough to remember Kevin Byer and,
[00:35:58] and his,
[00:35:59] you know,
[00:36:00] and his pick six against Troy like 10 years ago?
[00:36:03] Yes.
[00:36:04] I remember his draft.
[00:36:05] That's,
[00:36:06] that's how old I am.
[00:36:09] Yeah.
[00:36:09] Well,
[00:36:11] well,
[00:36:12] he's there.
[00:36:13] There's special talents for sure.
[00:36:14] But another guy,
[00:36:14] um,
[00:36:15] I talked about him teaming up with Chris Noble.
[00:36:17] Um,
[00:36:17] tell me a little bit about Chris Connor.
[00:36:18] I know that that's another guy that you've got the tape on.
[00:36:21] Yeah,
[00:36:21] Chris,
[00:36:22] he's kind of like the exact opposite of lock.
[00:36:24] Both are really good safeties.
[00:36:25] Lock's more of your coverage guy.
[00:36:27] Chris is your ball Hawk,
[00:36:28] um,
[00:36:29] game record,
[00:36:30] if you will.
[00:36:30] I mean,
[00:36:31] the guy,
[00:36:31] he had four or five interceptions this year.
[00:36:34] Um,
[00:36:34] hits very,
[00:36:34] very hard.
[00:36:35] The guy can lay the absolute wood.
[00:36:37] Um,
[00:36:38] really good at baiting the quarterback,
[00:36:39] good open field tackler.
[00:36:41] My only concern with him is what he tries to bait too much.
[00:36:45] And at points,
[00:36:46] I think he can maybe get beat.
[00:36:48] The guy reminds,
[00:36:48] if you guys remember this guy,
[00:36:49] he reminds me a little bit of like a Terry and Arnold,
[00:36:51] his first and second year starting at Alabama,
[00:36:54] where he tried to bait the quarterback too much and got beat over the top to
[00:36:57] where he,
[00:36:58] he was,
[00:36:58] um,
[00:36:59] he was benched,
[00:36:59] but then he finally learned how to bait the quarterback plus play good
[00:37:03] coverage,
[00:37:03] kind of,
[00:37:03] kind of balanced that together.
[00:37:05] And he ended up being a first round draft pick.
[00:37:07] Now I'm not saying that Chris will be that,
[00:37:09] that good,
[00:37:09] but I think Chris,
[00:37:11] once he learns how to balance coverage,
[00:37:13] plus trying to make a play on the ball,
[00:37:14] he'll be a really good defensive back from middle Tennessee.
[00:37:19] Yeah.
[00:37:19] There comes a level of balance.
[00:37:20] Like when you're in high school and you're with the best player on your
[00:37:23] team and you can kind of get away with being a little bit more aggressive
[00:37:25] where the game in college,
[00:37:26] a little bit faster.
[00:37:27] You're not allowed to be quite as aggressive.
[00:37:29] But,
[00:37:29] um,
[00:37:30] one thing about his tape in particular was,
[00:37:32] as you said,
[00:37:32] hard hitting,
[00:37:33] like the kid is,
[00:37:34] I mean,
[00:37:34] he,
[00:37:35] he lays the wood just as much as,
[00:37:36] as a linebacker would.
[00:37:38] So,
[00:37:38] um,
[00:37:38] and I would even put them in the same book as Micah,
[00:37:41] as Micah Smith that we'll be talking about here in a little bit when we
[00:37:43] get to the linebackers,
[00:37:44] but,
[00:37:44] um,
[00:37:44] our last safety,
[00:37:46] um,
[00:37:46] Kamari Hall,
[00:37:47] Shane,
[00:37:47] I know you've got,
[00:37:48] you've got the skinny on him.
[00:37:50] So actually,
[00:37:51] yes,
[00:37:51] he will be playing a nickelback when he gets to a MTSU and he,
[00:37:56] he's,
[00:37:56] he's smaller.
[00:37:57] He's five,
[00:37:57] nine one 60,
[00:37:58] one 65,
[00:38:00] but they'll get good amount of weight up on him.
[00:38:02] He's,
[00:38:03] he transferred to a cheminade Madonna,
[00:38:05] which is one of the prolific,
[00:38:07] um,
[00:38:09] Siri opened,
[00:38:10] uh,
[00:38:10] one of the prolific high schools in Florida and in the country.
[00:38:15] And,
[00:38:16] um,
[00:38:17] he just,
[00:38:17] he makes plays on the ball.
[00:38:19] That's what he does.
[00:38:20] Whether it's dropping back as a center field safety,
[00:38:24] when he was at his old school or coming up and just making a hit,
[00:38:28] whether it was at his new school,
[00:38:29] he just finds ways to make plays on the ball.
[00:38:31] And that's something the coaching staff really liked.
[00:38:33] And when they get that weight on him,
[00:38:36] add to his frame,
[00:38:37] that it's a guy that you could maybe see,
[00:38:40] especially,
[00:38:40] you know,
[00:38:41] James Mons transferring out here recently.
[00:38:43] He could be the future of the nickelback position.
[00:38:46] Yeah.
[00:38:47] Yeah.
[00:38:48] I think that's a great comparison is,
[00:38:49] is how he is relative to James Mon,
[00:38:52] a guy who is in the portal right now.
[00:38:54] Um,
[00:38:54] but one thing about Kamari,
[00:38:55] uh,
[00:38:56] is the open field tackling.
[00:38:57] That's something that you,
[00:38:58] that is so valued at the DB position,
[00:39:00] especially at the nickelback position.
[00:39:01] Um,
[00:39:02] but,
[00:39:02] but Austin,
[00:39:03] I'll turn this conversation over to you.
[00:39:04] As we talk about these DBs and how,
[00:39:06] uh,
[00:39:07] vital it is that we're replacing some of this talent that we may be
[00:39:09] missing.
[00:39:09] Um,
[00:39:10] what do you,
[00:39:10] what are you seeing with this group?
[00:39:12] Three players,
[00:39:14] three different types of players.
[00:39:15] One is a coverage guy.
[00:39:17] Uh,
[00:39:17] the,
[00:39:18] the guy you don't mind back in a,
[00:39:20] in a cover one playing center field.
[00:39:22] Uh,
[00:39:23] one is a guy you want to drop down in the box and have him try to
[00:39:26] disrupt,
[00:39:27] uh,
[00:39:28] and maybe even play more of like a fourth or fourth linebacker or fifth
[00:39:32] linebacker.
[00:39:32] Um,
[00:39:34] uh,
[00:39:34] and then the,
[00:39:35] the third there with,
[00:39:36] um,
[00:39:37] Kamari Hall,
[00:39:38] uh,
[00:39:38] Titans fans.
[00:39:39] When I watched his film,
[00:39:40] one of the things that come to my mind,
[00:39:41] Titans fans will remember,
[00:39:42] uh,
[00:39:43] Cortland Finnegan.
[00:39:44] That's what he reminds me of.
[00:39:46] Feisty,
[00:39:47] physical,
[00:39:48] fast.
[00:39:49] Uh,
[00:39:49] he was fun to watch.
[00:39:51] And so you have three different players,
[00:39:52] three different types of players,
[00:39:54] all three,
[00:39:55] if they can develop,
[00:39:56] can play a role in Derek Mason's defense going forward.
[00:40:01] So the praise that,
[00:40:02] this,
[00:40:03] the secondaries receiving is Kevin Byard,
[00:40:05] Reed Blankenship and Cortland Finnegan.
[00:40:07] So we've got three guys that are very capable of,
[00:40:10] of,
[00:40:10] of playing in the NFL,
[00:40:11] but in all seriousness,
[00:40:13] you're right.
[00:40:14] These guys are,
[00:40:14] these,
[00:40:15] these,
[00:40:15] they all provide something a little bit different amongst them.
[00:40:17] Um,
[00:40:18] and for good reason should be excited.
[00:40:19] And I always think that homegrown defensive back talent is,
[00:40:22] is kind of,
[00:40:23] um,
[00:40:24] is very valuable.
[00:40:24] I think that's something because there's a lot of tendencies on the
[00:40:27] defensive side of things that you'd like to instill in kids that
[00:40:30] you're not always having to constantly change language.
[00:40:32] Um,
[00:40:33] and DBs is one of those cerebral spots,
[00:40:35] especially the safeties that we're talking about with lock and
[00:40:37] Chris.
[00:40:37] Um,
[00:40:38] it's a very cerebral position.
[00:40:39] Um,
[00:40:40] having those kids stay in your system early and be there often could be a
[00:40:44] lot for the future.
[00:40:44] Um,
[00:40:46] but next linebackers,
[00:40:47] we're,
[00:40:47] we're,
[00:40:47] we're closing down on our last couple of signees as we close up the shop
[00:40:51] here on defense,
[00:40:52] uh,
[00:40:52] linebackers with,
[00:40:53] with Micah Smith,
[00:40:54] uh,
[00:40:54] again,
[00:40:54] Davidson County kid from Insworth.
[00:40:56] Shane,
[00:40:56] what's,
[00:40:56] what,
[00:40:56] what is it with Micah?
[00:40:58] I love this kid,
[00:40:59] man.
[00:40:59] He's six,
[00:41:00] two,
[00:41:00] two 30.
[00:41:01] He already has D one ready size and it's,
[00:41:04] it's good.
[00:41:05] Uh,
[00:41:05] capable size.
[00:41:06] He's ready to play right away.
[00:41:07] Now they will be moving him from outside linebacker and Insworth who runs
[00:41:12] more,
[00:41:12] maybe four linebackers at times to the inside,
[00:41:16] but he showed everything.
[00:41:18] You see the burst and the acceleration and pursuit there.
[00:41:21] He's just a dynamic playmaker.
[00:41:23] He was all region and football and lacrosse.
[00:41:25] He also plays basketball.
[00:41:27] And then when you just look at him as a football player,
[00:41:30] he had nearly 50 tackles for a semifinal team.
[00:41:35] One of the best teams in the state when undefeated,
[00:41:37] you also have 12 tackles for loss.
[00:41:40] And then he,
[00:41:41] when you put them in coverage,
[00:41:42] he had five pass breakups and an interception.
[00:41:44] So,
[00:41:45] I mean,
[00:41:45] there's every,
[00:41:46] he's,
[00:41:46] he's very complete player right away.
[00:41:49] And I think he will,
[00:41:50] uh,
[00:41:51] maybe the linebacker room's deep,
[00:41:52] but I think you'll see him quickly rise up through the ranks.
[00:41:55] Honestly,
[00:41:56] he kind of reminds me of Jordan Thompson,
[00:41:59] who's on the roster now,
[00:42:01] except he's six,
[00:42:02] two to 30.
[00:42:03] I think Jordan's more in that like six foot two 15,
[00:42:06] 15 range.
[00:42:09] Yeah.
[00:42:09] College ready is exactly what I thought when I saw the tape on him.
[00:42:12] Austin,
[00:42:13] you kind of had that same sentiment with this kid.
[00:42:15] Absolutely.
[00:42:16] I said earlier,
[00:42:18] uh,
[00:42:18] Archie was my favorite defensive player.
[00:42:20] I'm not sure.
[00:42:21] I may,
[00:42:21] I may have to take that back.
[00:42:24] Mike,
[00:42:24] I watched Micah and he was the only guy I put next to that said four star.
[00:42:28] Like in my mind,
[00:42:29] Micah needs to be a four star type player.
[00:42:31] He was that good,
[00:42:33] that complete watching.
[00:42:34] He could drop into coverage.
[00:42:37] As Shane talked about,
[00:42:37] this is a complete player.
[00:42:39] Um,
[00:42:41] he's one of the two or three guys of all the signees offense and defense that I
[00:42:45] could see breaking into the,
[00:42:47] the two deep and even playing a role this year based on just high school film
[00:42:52] alone.
[00:42:52] It's he's just really,
[00:42:54] really good,
[00:42:55] really fun to watch.
[00:42:56] And I will say this is a new defensive coordinator at Innsworth was the
[00:43:01] defensive coordinator at Murray state last season.
[00:43:03] So he has the collegiate mind,
[00:43:05] um,
[00:43:06] that he molded this year.
[00:43:08] And so he already has a year in a college type defense.
[00:43:12] And so that's only going to help them moving forward when he gets to
[00:43:14] Murfreesboro.
[00:43:17] Yeah,
[00:43:17] I agree that that's kind of like where I was going with it is his football IQ
[00:43:21] already looks apparently to the level that you need at a division one.
[00:43:25] I was impressed with that.
[00:43:26] I think the kid is smart.
[00:43:28] Um,
[00:43:28] and of course going to a school like Innsworth,
[00:43:30] I mean that that's kind of a praise in and of itself is,
[00:43:32] as what kind of player that he is not only on the field,
[00:43:35] but off the field too.
[00:43:36] So,
[00:43:36] um,
[00:43:37] that's,
[00:43:37] that's a,
[00:43:37] that's a big signing for us.
[00:43:39] Um,
[00:43:39] the defense in general,
[00:43:40] I think is collectively,
[00:43:42] I think is,
[00:43:42] is really solid.
[00:43:43] A lot of kids that have a potential of seeing the field very quickly.
[00:43:46] Um,
[00:43:47] but lastly,
[00:43:47] as we,
[00:43:48] as we close up our conversation here,
[00:43:50] our last few signings,
[00:43:50] one sign,
[00:43:51] one walk on,
[00:43:52] uh,
[00:43:52] we've got the special teams and the unit in particular,
[00:43:54] um,
[00:43:55] is the kicking side.
[00:43:56] You know,
[00:43:56] you're going to,
[00:43:57] hopefully you're going to keep Grant Chadwick for another season.
[00:44:00] Um,
[00:44:00] Zeke Rankin has graduated.
[00:44:03] Um,
[00:44:03] you've got Zach Benedict on,
[00:44:04] on the roster,
[00:44:05] but now you have this new signee that's coming to us.
[00:44:08] Um,
[00:44:08] Baylin Woodman.
[00:44:09] Um,
[00:44:10] I know it's not always the most,
[00:44:12] uh,
[00:44:12] fun thing to be talking about specialists in particular,
[00:44:14] but I think this kid,
[00:44:15] again,
[00:44:16] we've got film here.
[00:44:17] If you're not listening to us on YouTube,
[00:44:18] but the kids got a boot that we haven't really seen here in Murfreesboro in a long time.
[00:44:24] Man,
[00:44:24] you say it's not fun to talk about kickers.
[00:44:26] You should have been in the room talking with the coaches and the people in that program
[00:44:29] about that kid.
[00:44:31] They love that kid.
[00:44:33] He was,
[00:44:34] um,
[00:44:34] something like he visited for one of the last home games and they,
[00:44:40] I mean,
[00:44:40] he really wasn't even on MTSU's radar.
[00:44:43] And then his trainer reached out to coach Paschal and was like,
[00:44:47] you know,
[00:44:47] we have a kid.
[00:44:48] We think you might be interested in that is kind of interested in you.
[00:44:52] And they looked into him,
[00:44:53] brought him in for a visit.
[00:44:54] And usually when you get a specialist,
[00:44:55] you're usually bringing them in on a preferred walk on an NIL deal,
[00:44:59] something like that.
[00:45:00] They offered him right away,
[00:45:02] bring him in the hang time on the kickoffs is insane.
[00:45:07] Everything's going five,
[00:45:08] 10 yards out of the end zone.
[00:45:10] And then just,
[00:45:11] he has 55 plus range right now as a field goal kicker.
[00:45:16] And he's consistent.
[00:45:17] He can,
[00:45:18] he,
[00:45:19] you can see here,
[00:45:19] he kind of dabbles as a punter and he can hold up there,
[00:45:22] but the special team staff,
[00:45:24] Oh,
[00:45:25] they're excited about this kid.
[00:45:27] Yeah.
[00:45:28] I know something that they particularly missed this last year was a
[00:45:31] kicker that was capable of getting the touch back through the back of
[00:45:34] the end zone.
[00:45:35] Something that Rankin wasn't capable of.
[00:45:37] I know Zach Benedict was a guy that was brought in to do that
[00:45:40] particular thing.
[00:45:41] Wasn't necessarily as consistent as maybe the coaching staff would have
[00:45:44] liked to see.
[00:45:45] But,
[00:45:45] um,
[00:45:46] as we talk about the specialists like Grant Chadwick,
[00:45:49] I think that elite level kicker that we're seeing here with,
[00:45:51] with Woodman,
[00:45:53] um,
[00:45:53] could definitely take you to that next level.
[00:45:54] And you're talking about a freshman and sophomore duo on that front could be
[00:45:58] huge.
[00:45:58] Um,
[00:45:59] but lastly,
[00:46:00] there is the preferred walk on,
[00:46:01] um,
[00:46:01] this last year or this last week was,
[00:46:04] um,
[00:46:04] I believe I'm saying this right.
[00:46:05] It's Ian Matusik there from Shelbyville central.
[00:46:08] Um,
[00:46:09] just another guy to kind of fill out the roster there when it comes to
[00:46:11] specialists.
[00:46:12] But,
[00:46:12] um,
[00:46:13] Ian from Shelbyville central,
[00:46:15] I know we already have Doherty that's on roster for this upcoming season.
[00:46:19] As you lose Brody Butler as a long snapper.
[00:46:21] So you're probably going to have a little battle at long snapper for those
[00:46:23] that love the special teams talk.
[00:46:28] Did you know the blue Raider podcast has an online store?
[00:46:31] You can now support your favorite podcast by checking out our selection at our
[00:46:34] website,
[00:46:35] blue Raider podcast.com and stay tuned for new merchandise releases as we
[00:46:39] collaborate with athletes and NIL partnerships.
[00:46:43] Guys,
[00:46:43] as we close up shop here,
[00:46:45] I guess we'll turn into a little bit of a round table as we close out our
[00:46:47] discussion here.
[00:46:48] Um,
[00:46:49] you know about this group in general,
[00:46:51] is there a reason to be excited?
[00:46:53] I know that you can,
[00:46:54] you,
[00:46:57] I mean,
[00:46:57] look about the future,
[00:46:58] the excitement that Mason has about this group in particular talk,
[00:47:01] calling all of these guys,
[00:47:03] his first round draft picks.
[00:47:04] Is there a reason to be excited for this upcoming season?
[00:47:08] Yeah.
[00:47:08] I mean,
[00:47:09] you mentioned it,
[00:47:10] how,
[00:47:10] how Derek is just really excited.
[00:47:12] This is honestly his first class.
[00:47:14] I know he technically signed a class last year,
[00:47:16] but when he was hired,
[00:47:18] it was like,
[00:47:18] okay,
[00:47:19] like I'll get what's left and like,
[00:47:20] not say anything bad about the players they brought in.
[00:47:22] Like they brought in some good players,
[00:47:23] but these are guys that they've been recruiting since December.
[00:47:26] These are their,
[00:47:27] their first round picks as we talked about.
[00:47:29] Um,
[00:47:29] they fit the system like a Darnell Malpress off the edge.
[00:47:32] That true edge guy got Archie Roseman,
[00:47:36] the lock candies of the world,
[00:47:38] Neil Clifton,
[00:47:39] all these guys just seem to fit in reader,
[00:47:43] Stewart and Mason system so well that I would argue this is legit.
[00:47:47] Their first class.
[00:47:51] Yeah,
[00:47:52] I would agree with Connor there.
[00:47:53] And I think the big thing they did with this class was they address needs.
[00:47:57] You have Archie Roseman at the size.
[00:47:59] See interior,
[00:47:59] you have the big athletic physical offensive lineman.
[00:48:03] You have,
[00:48:03] you know,
[00:48:04] Micah Smith is a future linebacker.
[00:48:06] You have the running game.
[00:48:07] You have a guy like Neil Clifton as a size.
[00:48:09] They can also get down the field.
[00:48:11] They said they didn't want to reach on a cornerback.
[00:48:13] So that's maybe where you're going to have to see them attack the transfer portal.
[00:48:17] I would have liked to see them at a young corner or two.
[00:48:20] But outside of that,
[00:48:21] I think they completely address,
[00:48:23] you know,
[00:48:23] what they were looking to do.
[00:48:24] And now it's onto the transfer portal for,
[00:48:27] for this coaching staff.
[00:48:31] Yeah.
[00:48:31] I don't think you could,
[00:48:33] you know,
[00:48:34] want anything more than from a high school class that what Mason got this year,
[00:48:39] he got guys who fit his system.
[00:48:41] They've got the size.
[00:48:42] They've got the speed.
[00:48:43] There are different types of running backs,
[00:48:45] different types of defensive backs.
[00:48:47] They've got guys who are,
[00:48:49] can play immediately.
[00:48:50] A couple of guys,
[00:48:50] you're probably going to need a red shirt year.
[00:48:52] In fact,
[00:48:52] most I would say will probably red shirt.
[00:48:55] But a lot of things to like about this class.
[00:48:59] It is,
[00:49:00] I think the number two class in the conference from rivals,
[00:49:04] which is really good.
[00:49:05] It's been a while.
[00:49:06] It's been a couple of years since middle Tennessee has been that high in the
[00:49:09] rivals rankings.
[00:49:11] And so there's a lot to like about the high school class.
[00:49:13] And as Shane mentioned,
[00:49:14] you've now got to complete your off season roster building by hitting the
[00:49:18] portal and hitting the portal hard.
[00:49:21] I mean,
[00:49:21] in a normal signing class,
[00:49:23] you're going to sign 20 to 25 people total.
[00:49:29] Now you've got 20 to 25 people.
[00:49:32] You're trying to replace your graduating class,
[00:49:34] but not only that,
[00:49:36] you've got to replace 10 to 15 people from the portal.
[00:49:39] And so you're looking for Mason to sign as many potentially,
[00:49:42] potentially as 35 players.
[00:49:46] And that's a lot of roster construction,
[00:49:49] a lot of guys for them to be able to go out there and start building a
[00:49:54] roster.
[00:49:55] That's really in Mason's image that Mason wants,
[00:49:59] wants and can execute the schemes that Mason wants to run.
[00:50:06] Yeah.
[00:50:06] Awesome.
[00:50:07] I think that's everyone.
[00:50:08] Great points really about what this team,
[00:50:11] this signing does for the program as a whole.
[00:50:13] I think one thing too,
[00:50:14] that I really liked seeing as,
[00:50:15] as social media came out over the weekend was Mason calling some of these
[00:50:19] guys up during the day as they sign,
[00:50:21] creating that culture that bond with these kids.
[00:50:23] I think that that's something important.
[00:50:24] Again,
[00:50:25] I don't know how much other coaches do that.
[00:50:28] And of course,
[00:50:28] how many of those publicize it like we do,
[00:50:30] but I still think that there's a,
[00:50:31] there's a,
[00:50:32] there's,
[00:50:33] there's a lesson to take away from what Mason is doing.
[00:50:36] And again,
[00:50:36] as Chip Walter said in our last episode about how Mason describes last year
[00:50:40] as his year zero.
[00:50:41] So as he moves into year one,
[00:50:43] this is opportunity to really do a full off season with his guys that he's
[00:50:48] been able to scout.
[00:50:49] Because again,
[00:50:50] something that gets lost in all of this is that Mason had a whole season in
[00:50:54] which he wasn't a football coach.
[00:50:55] And so now that he's had a full season of being a football coach,
[00:50:58] it's a lot easier to recruit from that aspect.
[00:51:00] And as we see some of these guys leave,
[00:51:02] I encourage blue Raider fans,
[00:51:03] especially to know that some of these guys may not be leaving because they
[00:51:07] feel like they,
[00:51:08] they need to,
[00:51:09] they may be told to leave.
[00:51:10] And that may be a good thing when talking about the culture and the team
[00:51:14] roster building that,
[00:51:15] that Mason and these guys are doing from within.
[00:51:17] So I look at everything here as a positive.
[00:51:20] If Mason's excited,
[00:51:21] that should be a reason to be excited as a guy that's done this for some
[00:51:25] time now.
[00:51:26] But I'm,
[00:51:27] I'm excited about this group in particular for all the reasons that these
[00:51:30] guys said.
[00:51:31] And of course,
[00:51:31] I appreciate every single one of them for taking the time to join us today.
[00:51:35] Shane Pickering,
[00:51:35] Shane P underscore media there on Twitter,
[00:51:38] Connor Smith at Connor Smith.
[00:51:40] Oh,
[00:51:40] four.
[00:51:40] That's with an E Connor with an E and then Austin Lewis.
[00:51:44] Yeah.
[00:51:44] The real,
[00:51:45] the real way to spell Connor.
[00:51:46] And then you got Austin Lewis at Austin Lewis TN on Twitter as well.
[00:51:49] And of course,
[00:51:50] as I already preface at the very beginning,
[00:51:53] all of us are on go middle.com.
[00:51:55] So if you're not already subscribed there,
[00:51:56] subscribe for all of the premium content that we put out on a weekly basis,
[00:52:00] not only just for football,
[00:52:01] but we do a little bit of everything over at go middle.
[00:52:04] And of course the blue Raider podcast.
[00:52:05] If this is your first time joining,
[00:52:06] I appreciate you for tuning in today.
[00:52:08] Um,
[00:52:09] look forward to all the off season content that,
[00:52:11] uh,
[00:52:11] us and the blue Raider podcast will be bringing to you all winter long.
[00:52:15] And as we look forward to next fall,
[00:52:17] um,
[00:52:18] in regards to football talk,
[00:52:19] this may be it for a little while,
[00:52:20] but I look forward to the spring as we will have coach Mason on to talk about his spring
[00:52:24] signing class.
[00:52:25] Um,
[00:52:25] um,
[00:52:25] and so much more to come,
[00:52:27] uh,
[00:52:27] especially with basketball ramping up,
[00:52:28] um,
[00:52:29] the non-conference schedule.
[00:52:30] We're nearing the end.
[00:52:31] We've got a big matchup with Tennessee coming up.
[00:52:33] Um,
[00:52:33] we will take a break on the blue Raider podcast next week as school is going through a little
[00:52:37] bit of a lull with athletics and finals coming through,
[00:52:40] but myself,
[00:52:41] Sam Dalton will be coming to you live from Knoxville at that men's matchup there at the Thompson
[00:52:46] bowling arena.
[00:52:46] So look forward to that live episode coming to you on December 23rd evening after the conclusion
[00:52:51] of the MTSU basketball game.
[00:52:53] Um,
[00:52:53] but thanks for tuning into today's episode.
[00:52:55] And until next time go blue.