2016 Position Preview: QB/RB/WR

With fall camp officially upon us, it is time for us to take an in depth look at the Middle Tennessee football roster.

The Blue Raiders have been picked win the East Division crown of Conference USA this year, and the offensive firepower they're bringing to the table this year is a big reason why.

Tony Franklin is back at the offensive coordinator helm for Rick Stockstill this year and that alone should make any player salivate at the thought of what might be. Franklin is known to spread the ball around a lot, so fans should expect to see a lot of different guys on the field this season, and more importantly, making plays.

For our first installment, we'll take a look at the depth chart for the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions.

Brent Stockstill - MT’s freshman sensation will only look to build on a record setting season. He already holds single season records for completions (327), yards (4,005), yards per game (308.1), 300-yard passing games (8) and touchdowns (30). His 4,005 yards were only 53 away from breaking Jameis Winston’s NCAA freshman record. He is ninth all time in passing yards and eighth all time in touchdowns at MT. All this in just one season, mind you.

For his efforts in 2015, Stockstill was selected as Conference USA Freshman of the Year and was named to NCAA’s All-Freshman second team.

What is there to not get excited about when it comes to this gun slinger? Stockstill will obviously look to build on his successful campaign last year and looks to have the starting job locked down for the next three seasons. He’s expected to grow into his frame a little more and should add a few pounds and come in a little stronger than last season.

John Urzua - Urzua redshirted last season after coming to MT from North Gwinnett High in Suwanee, Georgia. He was a two-star recruit and rated as the 216th best prospect out of the talent-rich state. He left Gwinnett County second in all time yards with 3,142. On tape, Urzua shows an advanced ability to look off the safeties and get the secondary to bite on play action and pump fakes. He also reads through his progressions better than most. He shows some pocket awareness but lacks the mobility to be a dual threat QB. The one real trouble spot is his desire to force the ball into traffic way more than he should. Overall, Urzua is a solid addition to MT's team and a lot will be expected of him should he need to step in for MT at any point this year.

Kyle Banks - An incoming freshman out of North Paulding in Dallas, Georgia, Banks is a two-star recruit who should be expected to redshirt this season.

I’Tavius Mathers - A local kid who graduated from Blackman High, Mathers has come home for his last year of eligibility after starting his career out at Ole Miss. After sitting out last year to satisfy the transfer, Mathers is ready to produce. With Shane Tucker moving to the receiver position, Mathers figures to get the majority of the workload this season after rushing for 1,133 yards over three seasons in the SEC. 2013 was his best season at Ole Miss where he totaled 563 yards and 5.9 yards per carry. He saw his usage dwindle in 2014 but still posted a nice 6.1 carry average against Auburn in his best game that season. 2015 was a platoon year for the running back corps and while that will not change drastically in 2016, Mathers should lead the team in rushing. He showed off his exceptional footwork and vision in the spring, showing enough that the staff feels confident in handing him the reigns.

Desmond Anderson - Anderson played nine games as a true freshman last year and rushed for 386 yards before suffering a neck injury that held him out for the remaining games. He is a very promising talent and should provide a nice change of pace at the position this year.

Kamani Thomas - Thomas played seven games last season and ran for 159 yards. He did post a team best 6.8 yards per rush last season, though, so Coach Franklin has got to find a way to get him more touches a game. Thomas has never had a talent issue. In fact, he may be the most talented back on the roster for MT. The problem with Thomas is that he's never truly been healthy since he stepped foot on campus. Last year's touches came out of dire need more than anything else. If healthy, Thomas could be poised for a breakout year in 2016.

J’Vonte Herrod - A physical beast, Herrod is the biggest back on the team at 228 pounds. He is a battering ram and many believe he could really be something. Herrod has to stay healthy to prove that, though. He was knocked out of the 2015 season after suffering a knee injury in fall camp. He should definitely be MT's short yardage back this year, but we will have to take a wait and see approach if that will lead to anything more this year.

Ruben Garnett - A highly touted recruit coming in to MT, Garnett played in one game last season before taking his redshirt. In a very crowded backfield, Garnett will likely struggle to see the field in 2016. That being said, if the injury bug strikes again, which we all know can happen, Garnett will need to be ready to roll at a moment's notice. He's a dynamic player, so it'll be interesting to see how he fits into Franklin's plans this season.

Terelle West - Another highly touted RB in high school, West was originally signed as a receiver at MT. He is making the move back to running back after his redshirt season. His speed is his best asset, but West is in the same boat as Garnett. Even in a platoon, this back field is too crowded for everyone to see time.

Richie James - With the departure of Ed Batties, there is no doubt that Richie James will be Brent Stockstill’s number one target. James set MT and Conference USA freshman records in receptions and yards last season with 108 for 1,346. He also had eight touchdowns. James and Stockstill have obvious chemistry and they will hook up game in and game out in 2016. That being said, it's duly noted that Tony Franklin likes to spread the ball around, so I wouldn't expect James to have the same amount of production. Look for others to emerge from the shadows and step up this season.

Terry Pettis - Pettis has bounced around from TE to WR during his tenure at MT. For 2016, there are no listed TE's on the roster for the Blue Raiders, so Pettis, and others, have transitioned back out wide. In 2015, Pettis was third on the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. He is a pure athlete and should see even more action this year after having a stellar spring and summer. Standing at 6-foot-5, Pettis will be a handful for any corner. He is the best bet to fill Batties' shoes in a receiver-friendly offense.

Demetrius Frazier - Frazier, a redshirt senior, is experienced and knowledgeable. Smart receivers can thrive in a Franklin offense and Frazier has been making noise through the spring and summer. Admittedly, he's in the best shape of his life and should see plenty of work in 2016 as a result. Look for Frazier to be a darkhorse, of sorts, when it comes to receiver production this year.

Sean Smith - Smith also played TE last season and is moving over to receiver in 2016. A redshirt sophomore, he stands at a staggering 6-7 and has more athleticism than you would expect for a kid that size.. A big target is always something to keep on the radar in an offense that will spread it around as much as MT will. After missing last year due to a shoulder injury, Smith is healthy, primed and ready to roll in 2016. Keep an eye on him for sure.

MTSU is fairly deep at wide receiver. They have lots of bodies, but it is still going to take time to see where the talent separates itself. A couple of other names to watch are Rod Ducksworth and newcomer Jocquez Bruce. Ducksworth is a senior who will be looking to finish his career with a solid season, while Bruce transferred from Tennessee in 2015 and could start rising up the depth chart if he performs. Jermel Walker will also push for some playing time after signing with MT last year out of JUCO and newly transferred Dennis Andrews - formerly of Georgia Tech - will look to finish his career out on a high note. Jevontey Smith is another big bodied receiver who could make his way up the depth chart with a solid fall camp showing.

There is also a youth movement brewing in the depth chart for MT. R-So Ty Clemons, R-Fr Isiah Upton and true freshmen Ty Lee and Reginald Henderson all possess the talent to become factors for the Blue Raiders this year. Keep an eye on these guys over the next couple of weeks as fall camp revs up.

Lastly, we'll still need to keep an eye on senior Shane Tucker this year. Tucker was set to take over the slot position this season, however, a leg fracture is going to potentially sideline him for the year.