Coach Rick Stockstill stepped up to the microphone in a very upbeat mood for the 2009 Signing Day press conference. “Every coach in America will say that they are happy with their signing class today, but I am”. Stockstill continued on to say, “I am thrilled with the kids we signed. They are quality kids with great character. “
The 2009 signing class is Stockstill’s 4th as head coach at Middle Tennessee State. Due to NCAA sanctions the 2006 class was limited in number, so this marks just the 3rd full signing class under Stockstill. The Blue Raiders signed 23 players to scholarship. This will result with the Blue Raiders entering the 2009 season with 82 scholarship players on the roster. This is the most scholarship players Middle Tennessee has had on roster since moving to the FBS (Division 1-A). Stockstill was very pleased with the numbers saying that the Blue Raiders are now on a level playing field with all the other teams in the nation. He stated that they are getting closer to not having to rely on true freshmen.
The Blue Raiders were able to meet many critical needs with this recruiting class. Coach Stockstill pointed out that the Blue Raiders have only 26 returning scholarship players on the defensive side of the ball so they recruited heavier on the defensive side.
The Blue Raiders intended to sign 4 offensive linemen in this class. Ten days before signing day tight end Alvin Ingle informed the coaching staff he was going to transfer to another school. Instead of signing 4 offensive linemen the coaching staff elected to sign 3 offensive linemen and one tight end to replace the departing Ingle. Unfortunately, the Blue Raiders were unable to sign a tight end, but Stockstill insists that signing a tight end and a quarterback before fall camp is a priority for this coaching staff.
In keeping with a trend, the Middle Tennessee staff recruited speed at the skill positions.
Here’s how the 2009 recruiting class breaks down:
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown (Prev. School)
Craig Allen
LB 6-2 205 Fr. Carrollton, GA (Villa Rica)
Roderic Blunt
LB 6-1 205 Fr. Miramar, FL (Everglades)
Benjamin Cunningham
RB 5-10 195 Fr. Nashville, TN (Goodpasture)
Marquise Dixon
DB 5-10 165 Fr. Cocoa, FL (Cocoa)
Richard Drake
WR 6-2 190 Fr. Atlanta, GA (Stephenson)
Kenneth Gilstrap
DB 5-10 170 Fr. Lithonia, GA (Miller Grove)
Jesse Grisham
OL 6-3 255 Fr. Pelham, AL (Spain Park)
Jadareius Hamlin
DL 6-2 255 Fr. Forsyth, GA (Mary Persons)
Tavarres Jefferson
RB 5-9 195 Fr. Nashville, TN (The Ensworth School)
Jordan Johnson
OL 6-4 265 Fr. Buford, GA (Mill Creek)
David Jones
RB 5-11 190 Fr. Memphis, TN (South Pittsburg)
Justin Jones
LB 5-11 200 Fr. Tallahassee, FL (Godby)
Omar McLendon
DE 6-4 220 Fr. Temple, GA (Villa Rica)
Dearco Nolan
DE 6-2 235 Fr. Atlanta, GA (Westlake)
William Pratcher
RB 5-7 195 Fr. Decatur, GA (Cedar Grove)
Juno Prudhomm
DB 6-0 205 Fr. Naples, FL (Naples)
Jamal Ramsey
QB 6-1 185 Fr. Smyrna, TN (Battle Ground Academy)
Stephen Roberts
LB 6-3 215 Fr. Rex, GA (Starr's Mill)
Sammy Seamster
DB 6-2 190 Fr. Ooltewah, TN (Ooltewah)
Jimmy Staten
DE 6-4 240 Fr. Waycross, GA (Ware County)
Derrek Upshaw
DT 6-3 260 Fr. Darien, GA (McIntosh County Academy)
Josh Walker
OL 6-4 295 Fr. Spring City, TN (Rhea County)
Arthur Williams
WR 6-2 185 Fr. Seale, AL (Glenwood)