Four Impact Freshmen to watch in 2020
2020 for Middle Tennessee State will be a year in which some new guys will be relied upon to contribute and provide production.
Let's look at four true freshmen to watch for.
Jaylin Lane is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most promising prospects for Middle's 2020 recruiting class.
Lane popped off his senior year, snagging 76 passes for 1,611 yards and 30, yes, 30 touchdowns.
I don't want to really put the cart ahead of the horse, but I think Lane could be the next great Blue Raider wideout.
Lane possesses the ability to use his speed at the receiver spot. He is fast, slippery and elusive. Fire up the film and you see him just darting and zooming by defensive backs. He also puts defenders on ice skates while possessing the ball.
Make no mistake, the wide receiving room will be a crowded one for the Blue Raiders in 2020. Still, though, look for Lane to crack the rotation early and make a name for himself.
Vincent Dinkins is right there with Lane neck and neck when it comes to pegging my favorite guy in the 2020 MTSU recruiting class. Dinkins' profile indicates he is 251 pounds, but in reality he is closer to the 270 pound mark.
Dinkins was a Swiss Army knife in high school, playing all over the defensive line. He displayed his skills as a defensive end, defensive tackle, and nose guard.
Dinkins is a guy that should carve out a role as a defensive end his freshman year.
Dinkins is hellacious coming off of the edge in pursuit of the opposing quarterback or ball carrier.
He is a fast twitch athlete who is just a supreme athlete.
If anything, you can look for him to be a situational rush guy at the very least. Meaning he can come in on certain situations with the main objective of harassing the quarterback and wrecking the offensive line.
If I had to pinpoint one signing day shocker for this last class I would have to go with Devyn Curtis picking Middle Tennessee State on signing day.
Curtis was a product of the prestigious Brentwood Academy, a school that pumps out big time athletes. Curtis had some impressive senior year statistics, totaling 112 tackles and four interceptions.
Curtis also dabbled as a tight end for the Eagles.
Out of all the linebackers MT signed, Curtis is the only one who truly fits the bill of a middle linebacker.
Curtis is good in pass coverage, but he can put his nose to the grindstone as a run stuffer as well.
I do not think that he will just walk on campus and be handed the starting role. He is going to have to earn his keep, but I think the has the potential to make waves as a true Freshman.
There is a reason Deidrick Stanley Jr. was offered and coveted by big boy programs from all over the nation.
Stanley is fringe four-star player out of Miami, Florida, an area that just oozes talent.
Despite the smaller frame, Stanley is a ball hawk will exceptional ball skills.
He is also a guy you could plug in on special teams for kick and punt returns.
Again, playing time will have to be earned, but I think that Stanley has too much talent to keep off the football field.
Look for Stanley to earn his keep as a cornerback for the Blue Raiders. I do not think he will have too hard a time acclimating to the college game. Sure, there may be a slight learning period, but again, he played big time high school ball in the Miami, Florida area.