Yusuf Ali Opts to Return to MTSU

We are certainly a bit late to the party here, but I think it is worth starting the New Year with some positive material. Yusuf Ali is officially returning to Murfreesboro for the 2021 campaign.

As you might expect given the year was 2020, there was a hitch in his decision. Initially Ali decided that he was not going to return and that he was opting to enter the transfer portal. This was announced on Twitter on December 18.

Just four days later, on December 22, word trickled out that Ali would not be entering the transfer portal.

Ali's first action as a Blue Raider was in 2018, where he participated in five games and played 16 snaps.

He carved out a larger role in the 2019 season. He played in 11 games and recorded three total starts. That season he snared 19 balls for a total of 190 yards. Obviously that is 10 yards per reception. His longest reception was a 31 yarder.

When it came to the MT receiving totem pole in 2020 Ali ranked second. Jarrin Pierce was first with 59 catches for 584 yards and three touchdowns.

Ali bolstered his statistics significantly in 2020. He caught 37 balls for 457 yards to go with two touchdown grabs. His longest catch was 32 yards.

Although he was not the receiving leader in the clubhouse for 2020, it was much improved opposed to 2019, when he was sixth on the team in receiving.