Recapping MTSU's 2021 Signing Class

Middle Tennessee made a statement in this recruiting cycle, addressing serious issues that plagued the 2020 Blue Raiders. Coming off consecutive losing seasons for the first time in the Stockstill era, it is clear the MT coaching staff is doing everything in their power to make sure that streak doesn't continue.

The Blue Raiders signed 14 players in this class - four transfer players and 10 JUCO/high school prospects.

Of the 14 total signees, I wouldn't be surprised to see as many as 10 being instant starters or getting major playing time in the 2021 season.

Let's break it down by position:

QB:

Hockman is a major addition from NC State. A junior QB from Powder Springs, GA, signed with Florida State out of high school and transferred to NC State.

In 2020, Hockman threw for 2,088 yards with 13 TDs and 11 interceptions. 64% completion percentage.

He will walk into Murfreesboro as the Day 1 starter after Asher O'Hara transferred to Sacramento State. He's the best pure passer the Blue Raiders have had since Brent Stockstill - and the fact both are about the same size, and left-handed, is really uncanny. The fact that Brent is back in the Boro on staff only adds to the serendipity.

Vattiato is no slouch, either. The way he was described to GoMiddle in the recruiting process is "Stock's guy." I would venture to guess he will compete for the back-up spot immediately, and may get some serious playing time down the stretch of the season.

WR:

Metcalf and Sherman are MT's two highest-ranked players in the class as it currently stands. Both boast impressive offer lists and the Blue Raiders did well get them signed.

It stands to reason that both will get meaningful snaps this season - WR is usually one of the easiest positions to get playing time as a true freshman (teams need to play a lot of them, and athleticism wins immediately.)

Ma'Jon Wright transferred in from Arizona, where he played sparingly as a true freshman. The step down in competition should help him see the field immediately as well.

All three are candidates for special teams work in 2021.

OL:

This group is indisputably the most impressive in the signing class. MT's offensive line was not good last season, and its best player, Robert Jones, is on his way to the NFL. Mike Polly and Rick Mallory had to address this position in a major way and they did just that.

Netori and Williams are Power 5 transfers, from Georgia and Arizona, respectively. Both should figure to be Day 1 starters in the interior of the line. Bodiford and Graham are both JUCO signings much like the aforementioned Robert Jones. If they aren't Day 1 starters, it can be assumed they will play heavy snaps early and often.

TE:

Sudderth is my favorite signing of the class. As an East Tennessee boy, I'm always partial to East Tennessee prospects who sign with the Blue Raiders. As most fans know, Alcoa is a State of Tennessee high school powerhouse. My alma mater, Roane County High School, gets fed to the Alcoa wood-chipper every year, so I've had a front-row seat to Sudderth's game.

He could play either TE or DE for MT. The official signing release lists him as a TE, but I imagine his position is flexible. TE may be the path by which he gets on the field the quickest.

DL:

Smith is a bit of a project, in my view. Coach Royston found him down in Savannah, GA and MT got his signature over Stetson and Mercer offers.

Other schools, like Coastal Carolina, had shown interest before Smith was involved in an unfortunate shooting accident that left damage to his right eye.

He may not be an instant contributor, but you can't teach size and strength and this kid has both of those.

LB:

Harden is another Royston find down in Georgia. He's right up there with the wide receivers as far as best players in the class. At 6'3", 210 pounds, he's a prototypical linebacker at this level.

The MT defense needs help up the middle, and I figure Harden will provide that right away. The coaching staff was very excited to get him.

S:

MT's biggest competition for Terrell Pack appears to have been Southern Miss, while the biggest competition for Thomas was Miami (OH).

Both kids mentioned Kevin Byard as their reason for interest in coming to MT and playing Safety. They trust Stockstill's and Schafer's evaluation of the position and their development once they're on campus.

These two may not figure to be Day 1 starters, but both are good prospects, and it's nice to keep the Sarasota and Tullahoma pipelines going.

Wildcards:

Middle Tennessee has two kids committed who did not sign yesterday: Offensive Lineman Jaquon Toney and Corner Back Kameron Grays.

As far as we can tell, both could still sign somewhere down the line, so we will leave them as "committed" prospects as of now.

The Blue Raiders will continue to hit the transfer portal hard to sign more players as well. And with the JUCO and FCS seasons scheduled to be played this fall, we could see more transfers and signings from those ranks as well.

Recruiting has never been more fluid than it is right now, and GoMiddle will be here through all of it. Subscribe today to make sure you don't miss any of the action!