2008 Woodie Awards
Taking a look at new Blue Raiders
Chris Martin
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Sports
On Wednesday, Middle Tennessee hosted an event where fans could come meet with the coaches and watch highlights of the newest editions to the Blue Raider football program.
The "Recruiting Roundup" took place in the Kennan Sports Hall of Fame building and was a neat little affair. For $20, fans could grab some grub, watch video highlights of each new signee and sit down with the coaches and ask them questions.
It was nice to get a preview of the incoming recruits, but it is easy to watch these videos, check out their height and weight, and then immediately hand out 24 Heisman trophies. However, there are some players that should be able to contribute right off the bat.
If the coaching staff has its way, Blue Raider fans will not see either of the quarterbacks brought in. With Dwight Dasher entrenched as the starter and Joe Craddock likely to get some playing time, the only way Sancho McDonald and Brent Burnette are going to see the field is if Craddock and Dasher are unable to play.
The unfortunate part is that both Craddock and Dasher sustained injuries last season, but hopefully McDonald and Burnette will be carrying clipboards this season.
As for the running backs, again both backs will probably see little to no time this season. Phillip Tanner should begin the year as the starter with Marquise Branton, Desmond Gee and Jacob Longoria in the backup role. Fans should look out for Jawan Carson in the future though. The Newark, NJ product can flat-out run. All of his highlights showed him buzzing right by defenders.
One position that has needed an upgrade for the past two seasons has been wide receiver. It definitely got the needed upgrade with this class. Receivers coach Justin Watts said that four-star prospect Anthony Jones should get some immediate playing time. In fact, Jones could be a starter from day one.
This is a good thing since Jonathan Grigsby and last season's leading receiver Taron Henry have exhausted their eligibility and junior Bobby Williams decided to leave the team. Also, the recent dismissal of Walter Dozier leaves the Blue Raiders even more short-handed at wideout.
The "Recruiting Roundup" took place in the Kennan Sports Hall of Fame building and was a neat little affair. For $20, fans could grab some grub, watch video highlights of each new signee and sit down with the coaches and ask them questions.
It was nice to get a preview of the incoming recruits, but it is easy to watch these videos, check out their height and weight, and then immediately hand out 24 Heisman trophies. However, there are some players that should be able to contribute right off the bat.
If the coaching staff has its way, Blue Raider fans will not see either of the quarterbacks brought in. With Dwight Dasher entrenched as the starter and Joe Craddock likely to get some playing time, the only way Sancho McDonald and Brent Burnette are going to see the field is if Craddock and Dasher are unable to play.
The unfortunate part is that both Craddock and Dasher sustained injuries last season, but hopefully McDonald and Burnette will be carrying clipboards this season.
As for the running backs, again both backs will probably see little to no time this season. Phillip Tanner should begin the year as the starter with Marquise Branton, Desmond Gee and Jacob Longoria in the backup role. Fans should look out for Jawan Carson in the future though. The Newark, NJ product can flat-out run. All of his highlights showed him buzzing right by defenders.
One position that has needed an upgrade for the past two seasons has been wide receiver. It definitely got the needed upgrade with this class. Receivers coach Justin Watts said that four-star prospect Anthony Jones should get some immediate playing time. In fact, Jones could be a starter from day one.
This is a good thing since Jonathan Grigsby and last season's leading receiver Taron Henry have exhausted their eligibility and junior Bobby Williams decided to leave the team. Also, the recent dismissal of Walter Dozier leaves the Blue Raiders even more short-handed at wideout.
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