Impact Freshmen Predictions

Middle Tennessee State inked a 2020 class of 20 signees, putting the Blue Raiders in the top half of the Conference USA team recruiting rankings.

There are certainly a handful of guys that have bright futures and potential to accomplish greatness as a Blue Raider.

Matt Dossett and Tyler Pellom have collaborated, each picking one impact freshman for each side of the football.

Matt Dossett

Offense: Jaylin Lane

The skinny: Jaylin is a guy that immediately passes the eye test. Rev up his tape and you see a guy that has all the tools in the toolbox. As a senior Lane snared 76 passes, to go with 1,611 yards receiving and 30 touchdowns.

Lane wasn’t a one hit wonder in high school. As a junior he had 43 receptions for 625 yards and eight touchdowns.

I think that Lane will be called upon early to get playing time and get an opportunity to make his mark. Ty Lee, the receiving bell cow of the offense is gone, so there is going to be an open competition to see who will rise to the forefront and fill that void.

I do not know specifically what his 40-yard dash time is, but honestly, I don't really care; Lane certainly has football speed. Lane is a guy that is extremely slippery and hard to bring down with the rock in the open field. Despite being a freshman, it is hard to keep a guy off the field who is a playmaking weapon. Certainly Lane will have to earn his stripes starting out in camp and practices, but I think he's capable of doing that.

Lane is a guy that could really pack a punch on special teams as well. I'd be interesting to see him field kicks or punts this season. Not saying Coach Stockstill is going to plug him in as a returner, but It would be something I'd like to see happen.

Lane is a guy that can also jumpstart the offense in creative ways, such as maybe a bubble screen or a jet sweep.

Defense: Devyn Curtis

Curtis is a guy that surprised many, picking and signing with Middle Tennessee State during the February National Signing Day.

After all, Curtis held offers from: Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Memphis, Missouri, Mississippi State, Nebraska, South Carolina, and mid-state Vanderbilt.

Curtis attended the football powerhouse that is Brentwood Academy, and he played early and often. Curtis was a three year player as an Eagle at BA. As a senior he had 112 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and four interceptions. He even dabbled as an offensive weapon, catching four balls for 120 yards and two touchdowns as a hybrid tight end.

Curtis is projected to be an inside linebacker as a Blue Raider. He may be called upon to handle the signals and aligning of the defense, but I think he can shoulder that load, considering he has experience calling the defensive shots as a high school player.

Curtis currently hovers around a height of 6'3 and a weight of 225 pounds. This is impressive size, especially when you factor in his speed and ability to fly to the football.

Look for Curtis to claw his way into the linebacker rotation early this season.

Tyler Pellom

Offense: Frank Peasant

Initially recruited as a linebacker for the Blue Raiders, Peasant has transitioned over to the offensive side in pre-season camp. Peasant, like most D1 prospects, played on both sides of the ball in high school.

Peasant picked Middle Tennessee over offers from Colorado State, Charlotte, Tennessee and Troy.

When you look at his stats, you understand why the Blue Raiders would want him toting the rock: He carried the ball 259 times for Escambia High School and totaled 2046 yards in 15 games. That's a 7.9 yards-per-carry average.

He carried the ball at roughly 190 pounds in high school - he's up to 221 pounds now per MT's roster information.

With the departure of Power 5 transfer RBs Martell Pettaway and Amir Rasul, Peasant will be forced near the top of the depth chart with Chaton Mobley and should figure get a lot of carries this fall.

Defense: Deidrick Stanley

As many of you know, I personally was not on the GoMiddle staff for last year's recruiting class. When I took the position, I made a point to go back and watch the film on each prospect to get up to speed.

After doing that, Stanley was my favorite prospect of the class. At 5'9", 180 pounds, Stanley played tenaciously in the defensive backfield. It was apparent his lack of height created a need for more effort and toughness, and he learned to cope well with it and excel.

Stanley signed with Middle Tennesee over offers from a host of offers, namely Boston College, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Miami and Michigan.

He played high school football in one of the most talent-rich places in the country - Miami, FL.

I believe he's ready to contribute from Day 1, and will figure into the cornerback rotation and special teams immediately.