It is no secret that this program needs an infusion of size and talent in the trenches as it builds future recruiting classes. As the staff looks for potential trench talent to recruit in the 2026 recruiting cycle, they have hosted a long and impressive list of prospects to begin the season, one of which is Oak Ridge (Tenn.) standout defensive tackle Tobja Walters. He recently made it to campus as Middle Tennessee hosted archrival Western Kentucky.

"The visit went great. I loved the intensity and the energy. What caught my eye was how much the D-line was developed and how they got after Western Kentucky’s quarterback."

As he witnessed the game, he kept his eye on the defensive front that he would potentially be playing in. While it was a tough outing for the defense as a whole as they attempted to patch together a competitive unit, he saw a lot of positives from what the unit showed and how they were coached.

"What stood out to me when I watched the D-line was that they were strong up front and were destructing the block well."

At Oak Ridge, they run a very similar base defense set, which made him aware of what to look for in a defensive lineman during the game since it is very similar to what he is doing now. As he began to get a feel for what this staff wanted to accomplish up front, he saw a potential fit.

"I feel like I do a good job at play recognition. I can recognize run/pass fast. Then, my strength and arm length help me pass rush well, and I can destruct the block well."

Walters currently claims offers from both in-state Memphis and ETSU. That list of schools will only continue to increase as programs start sending out more offers in the 2026 recruiting class. As college programs continue to evaluate prospects in the junior class and establish a board, Walter is beginning to hear from a handful of programs regularly, including Middle Tennessee, Miami (OH), and Navy.

As he continues to hear from the Blue Raiders, he is looking forward to developing a relationship with the defensive line coaches in Murfreesboro.