MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOOTBALL 9 2006 Season Preview New Beginning, New Era, New Attitude OFFENSE Battling for playing time as Marks’ backup in 2006 will Blue Raider Notables The Middle Tennessee off ense, which had a roller coaster be the much anticipated debut of Joe Craddock. A redshirt season in 2005, welcomes back eight starters and 23 total sophomore, Craddock was expected to push Marks a year lettermen in 2006. Led by the most accurate passer in the ago but a season-ending injury in fall camp ended his fresh- Sun Belt Conference and the fi fth-leading rusher, man year. the Blue Raiders have high hopes under new Craddock, out of Birmingham, Ala., is a player who can get out of trouble with his running ability National Television for the Blue Raiders coach Rick Stockstill and off ensive coordinator G.A. Mangus. and possesses a very strong arm. The only thing The Blue Raiders will play their fi rst nationally televised Craddock lacks is playing experience. football game of the I-A era and just the second in school The new off ense will be a multiple history when they host Louisville on October 6. The game, formation and multiple-scheme attack Also battling with Craddock for backup duties which will be that will take a wide-open approach. will be redshirt junior Patrick Jackson. The shown on ESPN2, “We want to be a balanced Macon, Ga., product has been a will be played off ense who keeps the member of the travel squad but in Nashville at defense guessing,” said has yet to see action in a game. the Coliseum. The last time Middle Tennessee played a Stockstill. “If we carry out During the spring, Jackson re- nationally televised game was in 1989 against Georgia our assignments, our off ense ceived the bulk of the backup Southern on ESPN in what was coined the Hurricane Bowl snaps because of Craddock’s due to the eff ects of approaching Hurricane Hugo. should dictate to the defense.” Lefthander Clint Marks, injury. Jackson made the most of his opportunity by What’s on tap for the Blue Raiders in ‘06 who became the fi rst signal- caller in school history to record completing 16 of 23 passes for Middle Tennessee and new Head Coach Rick Stockstill will 200 yards in the Blue-White play the most challenging football schedule in school his- back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons, will tory this year. Along with the always tough Sun Belt slate, direct the Blue Raider attack. Entering Spring Game. the Blue Raiders will step out of league action to take his senior year, Marks’ primary on Maryland (ACC), Oklahoma (Big 12), Louisville (Big veteran targets are versatile running Running Backs East), and South Carolina (SEC). Oklahoma, Louisville, and back Eugene Gross, receiver Taron The Middle Tennessee running South Carolina all made postseason play while Maryland Henry, and tight end Stephen game is an area where the Blue Raiders want fell one game shy. Preseason polls show the Sooners, Chicola. to see vast improvement in 2006. The Blue Cardinals, and Gamecocks all in the Top 25. For the second year in a row, Raiders averaged just 2.8 yards per rush and came up with only three 100-yard Stockstill puts together impressive staff Middle Tennessee enters a sea- After getting hired on December 12, 2005, Head Coach son searching for an improved rushing games by an individual the Rick Stockstill immediately went to work putting together running game. The Blue Raiders entire 2005 season. his fi rst staff . The results were more than impressive. The ranked last in the league a year Eugene Gross was nearly a one- ten-man staff has ago with only 109.1 yards a game man band a year ago for the Blue a combined 148 after struggling with injuries and Raiders. DeMarco McNair and Terry years of coaching inexperience. Jackson were lost for the year due experience, three “I think we have some talented to academics, then freshman Alex rings, players on the off ensive side of Suber was pressed into action but and four National the ball, but we have to improve lasted just three games before Championships in some areas,” said Stockstill. “We suff ering a season-ending injury. and has coached had too many penalties a year After those losses, the running in a total of 60 bowl games. ago and we have to work every game was left to Gross and an Diaz is one of the youngest day on taking care of the football. inexperienced Ralph King and Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz, who has spent nearly Turnovers and penalties can stop Clint Marks converted safety Ronald his entire coaching career learning from Florida State’s an off ense quicker than anything, Steed. Mickey Andrews and N.C. State’s Chuck Amato, is the 10th so fundamentals are a high Gross, who had a youngest coordinator in the nation at 32. Diaz also ranks priority in 2006.” fabulous spring that was as the sixth youngest defensive coordinator in the nation Following is a position-by- capped by a 158-yard and the youngest coordinator in the South. The youngest position look at the 2006 Blue rushing eff ort in the Blue-White Game, led the Blue Raiders coordinator in the nation is Rice’s Major Applewhite, who Raider off ense. in rushing and was fi fth in the Sun Belt with 724 yards en is 28. route to earning second team all-conference honors in 2005. Quarterbacks The Statesboro, Ga., native also tallied a career-best 13 rush- Marks chasing Counts in 2006 Senior Clint Marks took nearly every snap under center ing to go with a personal-high 33 receptions to Quarterback Clint Marks enters his senior season within in 2005 and will enter the 2006 campaign having started in pace all Sun Belt backs. The senior led the league in scoring striking distance of becoming the school’s all-time lead- ing passer. The southpaw has 5,425 career passing yards, 21 consecutive games. The Fort Myers, Fla., native is coming and sits fourth all-time at Middle Tennessee in touchdowns which is 2,583 yards shy of breaking Wes Counts’ record off a year when he completed 66 percent of his passes and scored entering the 2006 season. mark of 8,007. Marks’ best year was 2004 when he threw threw for 2,083 yards and eight touchdowns. Also in the mix will be McNair and Suber. McNair, a junior for 2,749 yards. The Fort Myers, Fla., native enters 2006 The southpaw ranks third all-time in passing yardage at from Thomson, Ga., returns to the team after sitting out ranked third all-time behind Counts and Kelly Holcomb Middle Tennessee with 5,425 yards and is fi rst in completion the 2005 season. As a freshman, McNair had a 5.3 yards per (7,064). percentage. Marks had four straight 200-yard passing carry average and registered 71 yards on the ground in the games during one stretch of the season before ending the 2004 regular season fi nale against Troy. year with a 297-yard game against FIU. Suber, a sophomore from Tampa, Fla., is a cat-quick back

10 MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOOTBALL 2006 Season Preview

Front runners at the position will be Taron Henry, Pierre has played in four games each of the past three years and Eugene Gross Ingram, Jonathan Grigsby, and Bobby Williams. will be counted on for leadership in 2006. Henry, a local product from Riverdale High School, is Honeycutt and Taylor are two promising young receivers ready for a breakout season. The junior is coming off a career who sat out the 2005 campaign and will vie for playing year with 20 receptions for 192 yards, including a personal- time. Taylor opened some eyes in the Blue-White Game with best fi ve catches in the season four receptions for 64 yards, and fi nale against FIU. Henry, who Honeycutt added two grabs. caught four passes for 112 Franklin Dunbar The tight end yards in the Blue-White Game, position is the best it has been is listed as the starter at the “Z” during the I-A era with talented receiver position entering fall Stephen Chicola and Clinton camp. Corder leading the way. Both Ingram, who doubles as a are solid veterans who should track standout, looks the part thrive in the new system. at 6-4, 212 but has struggled Chicola, arguably getting into the lineup. The the top tight end in the Sun who Stockbridge, Ga., native has Belt Conference, is coming off is returning to battled injuries his entire career a career year in 2005, when the fold following and hopes to end his senior he hauled in 29 receptions for an injury in game year on a high note. He enters 231 yards. The junior’s 29 grabs three last year. Suber the fall as a starter at the “X” went down as the most by a had just 56 yards rushing receiver spot. Blue Raider tight end since and four receptions, but Grigsby, a former walk-on 1991. In a win over Troy on showed fl ashes of his big-play from Franklin, Tenn., saw the road, Chicola established a potential during his brief playing action in the last fi ve single-game record for a tight time. However, he will have to games of the season and end with nine receptions before recover from lost time as he did not collected three receptions fi nishing the year at FIU with participate in any contact drills during the for 50 yards. After a fi ve more. spring. solid spring, Grigsby is listed as the starter at the Corder, a junior from nearby Brentwood, Tenn., played in The fullback position will be a battle between “B” receiver spot. In the Blue-White Game, Grigsby all 11 games last season after missing the 2004 campaign John Marc Stephens, Josh Dutton, and Hunter Birtsch. paced the White team with fi ve grabs for 82 yards. with an injury. Corder is used primarily in two tight end sets Stephens, a sophomore, began the 2005 season on Williams, who started 10 of 11 games as a true and in the running game. the off ensive line before moving to tight end prior to the freshman last year, missed spring practice due to disciplin- Vanderbilt game in early October. Stephens, a local product, ary reasons but will be returning to the team when camp Off ensive Line made another move in the spring by going to fullback, opens in August. Williams had 22 receptions for 303 yards How well an off ense plays usually depends on the where the coaches feel he can really help the team once he and a in 2005. off ensive line, and this year’s unit is loaded with experience gains a little experience. There will also be a push by Walt Bell, Jay Robinson, and talent. Middle Tennessee returns four of fi ve starters Dutton, a walk-on out of Lenoir City, Tenn., made the Michael Cannon, Luke Paschall, Patrick Honeycutt, and Rod and one who started the last fi ve games of the year in 2005. move from to Taylor. The anchor for the Blue Raiders up front is senior right fullback in the spring and has Bell, a senior from Germayle Franklin, who was a second team all- impressed coaches with his Taron Henry Dickson, Tenn., played in all 11 conference performer a year ago. The Waycross, Ga., native work ethic and toughness. games a year ago and earned is coming off a season in which he led the Blue Raiders in Birtsch, a junior, played in all one start while doubling as the snaps played with 764 and a career-best 118 knockdowns. 11 games a year ago and earned team’s holder on fi eld goals Franklin, who has been durable throughout his career, one start. Primarily used as a and extra points. Robinson, a enters the 2006 season having started in 28 straight games. blocker, Birtsch did not have any redshirt freshman, began last Center Marcus Gates, right guard Richard Bortner, and rushing attempts but did collect year at receiver then moved left guard Brandon Nix are the other three returning start- one reception. to quarterback following the ers. Gates played in all 11 games and started eight times injury to Craddock. The We- as a junior. The LaGrange, Ga., product collected 93 knock- Wide tumpka, Ala., native is moving downs last year and graded out a career-best 81 percent. back to receiver in 2006 where Bortner, a redshirt sophomore, began last year as a Receivers he is listed behind Henry at the reserve but quickly found a way into the starting rotation. The wide receiver spot has “Z” spot. The Crestview, Fla., native started the last six games of the been one of the strongest in the Cannon, a redshirt season and fi nished with 497 snaps played and 73.5 total I-A era for Middle Tennessee as freshman from Memphis, knockdowns. Bortner, who has all-conference type ability, the program has produced an earned a start against Akron was voted the Blue Raiders’ most valuable lineman follow- all-conference player every year and had his only reception. An ing the N.C. State game with a grade of 80 percent. since entering the Sun Belt in injury made him miss the rest Nix, who began his Blue Raider career as a defensive 2001. The latest to join that list of the year, which was unfortu- lineman, was in the starting rotation at left guard the fi rst was Cleannord Saintil, who was nate because of the progress he six games of the year before giving way to Franklin Dunbar. a fi rst team pick in 2005 as a was making. He could be a solid A tough, physical player, Nix had 86.5 total knockdowns senior. contributor in 2006. on the season and had a cumulative grade of 79 percent. A Saintil is gone and so is his conference-leading 66 Another candidate is Paschall, a senior from Dickson, Talladega, Ala., native, he played in all 11 games and had a catches for 884 yards. Now the quest is on to fi nd a replace- Tenn. Voted the team’s Lifter of the Year in 2005, Paschall 21-knockdown eff ort in a win at Florida Atlantic. ment.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOOTBALL 11 2006 Season Preview Dunbar, one of the biggest surprises along the off ensive Defensive Line line a year ago, could easily be considered a returning The strength of the defense a starter. The Waycross, Ga., product started the last fi ve year ago is now the biggest question games of the year and proved to be one of the most mark entering the 2006 season. physical linemen the Blue Raiders had in Starters Littlejohn, Staton, and 2005. Dunbar, who had 77 total knockdowns Devarick Scandrett are gone as a freshman, earned the team’s most so it will be time for younger valuable lineman award in two of his fi ve players to step up. starts. Leading the charge Also fi guring heavily into the two-deep up front will be ends Erik Walden roster will be transfer David Price, senior and Sean Mosley. The leader Paul Cantrell, redshirt freshman Mark among active players in sacks Thompson, redshirt sophomore Chris with nine, Walden is coming off Ritter, redshirt senior Cade Becher, and his best year as a Blue Raider. redshirt sophomore Darrell Howard. The junior from Dublin, Ga., Cantrell and Becher were regulars registered a career-high 33 along the line on goal line situations tackles last year to go along with last year, while Price sat out following three sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. his transfer from Mississippi State. Walden earned fi ve starts at end in 2005 Howard and Ritter did not see action and his last three at linebacker due to J.K. Sabb in any games. numerous injuries. Becher enjoyed a productive Mosley, out of Sylvania, Ga., has spring and earned the starting job at school, Perry suff ered an ankle injury late last season that played in 22 straight games and started slowed his progress in the off -season. The injury bug hit right guard entering the fall, while fi ve times last year while collecting 25 Cantrell took advantage of Gates’ Perry again during the spring, when he missed the bulk of tackles, two sacks, and a blocked punt. practice time, making him fall further behind in his quest for injury to nail the starting spot at Mosley, who had eight tackles and three center. a starting job. Blue Raider coaches are counting on a great sacks in the Blue-White Game, earned summer from Perry and for him to come back in shape and DEFENSE four of his starts on the right side and one ready to go when fall camp kicks off in August. on the left. Senior Christopher Sapp, who has also played along the Like the Blue Raider Also in the picture at end will off ense, the defense will off ensive line and at tight end during his career, will also see Erik Walden be Chris McCoy and Tavares Jones. McCoy, time at nose guard. Sapp played in just four games last year be led by a new coach in who also has good size and potential, took coordinator Manny Diaz, and collected three tackles. a redshirt year last season in order to Providing depth up front will be Derek Mason. who comes to Middle improve his strength and technique. Tennessee from N.C. State. Listed behind Walden at one end spot The fourth coordinator in following the spring, McCoy only started playing Another key component to the Blue Raiders’ defensive as many years, Diaz inherits a unit that led the league in football as a junior at Villa Rica (Ga.) High School so his best scoring defense and was second in total defense. surge a year ago was the play of their linebackers. The group football is clearly ahead of him. of J.K. Sabb, Jonathan Bonner, and Dennis Burke combined However, this year’s unit will have to fi nd replacements Jones, who played linebacker his fi rst two years, moved for SBC Defensive Player of the Year Jeff Littlejohn, all-con- for 20.5 tackles for loss, three , and 153 total to end in the spring and really has the coaches excited. The tackles despite Bonner and Burke playing in just eight ference tackle Quinton Staton, and linebackers Dennis Burke junior brings speed to the position after excelling on special and Jonathan Bonner. All played games. teams and in backup roles the However, Burke and Bonner are no longer available: huge roles in Middle Tennessee’s past two years. best defensive year of the I-A Burke graduated and Bonner was not cleared to play for In the middle, expect medical reasons in the off -season. The question for lineback- era. to see a lot of sophomores “Last year’s defense was very ers coach Art Kaufman is who steps in for those guys in Trevor Jenkins, Jonathan Pres- 2006. strong,” said Stockstill. “Now we ley, and Brandon Perry. Jenkins plan on building off that mo- Leading the way will be Sabb, who led the Blue Raiders played in 10 of 11 games in tackles with 71 total stops and earned second team mentum and try to consistently backing up Staton as a true have the top overall defense in all-conference honors in his fi rst year at Middle Tennessee. freshman and fi nished with 11 The Augusta, Ga., native brings a passion for making the big the conference. We want to be total tackles. a tough, physical defense that hit, plays with toughness, and has a knack for being in the Presley played as a backfi eld. Against North Texas last year, Sabb set a single- plays with great eff ort every true freshman, seeing action in play and is the epitome of team game school record with fi ve tackles for loss and fi nished fi ve games and collecting fi ve the year with 13 to tie for the eighth-most in school history. defense.” tackles and a recovery. The 2006 version returns Sabb, however, has his work cut out for him in the fall The Jacksonville, Fla., native as he tries to overtake Justin Rainey for the starting job at four starters and six others who possesses great size, feet, saw signifi cant playing time in “Will” linebacker. Rainey, a senior, missed the last eight and hands, and has unlimited games of the 2005 campaign with a knee injury but should 2005. potential as a pass rusher. Following is a position-by- be 100 percent when camp opens in August. A physical Perry, who spelled player, Rainey brings athleticism and speed to the position. position look at the 2006 Blue Sean Mosley Littlejohn on occasion at nose Raider defense. The top candidates in the middle will be Chance guard, played in eight of 11 Dunleavy and Wes Hofacker. A physical player, Dunleavy games and came up with fi ve saw action in all 11 games in 2005 and earned four total tackles and a sack. A highly regarded recruit out of high

12 MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOOTBALL 2006 Season Preview starts when Bonner and Burke went down with seasons with the bulk of his snaps coming on special injuries. The junior college transfer out of West teams. 2006 Spring Awards Covina, Calif., registered 31 total tackles (to rank fourth-best among linebackers) Corners to go along with two quarterback An area of concern in the past, sacks. the cornerback position showed dramatic Hofacker, a transfer from improvement in 2005 and looks to be East Carolina, made a big even stronger in 2006 with arguably impression during his fi rst the top defensive player on the team Dr. Sidney McPhee Senior Academic Award spring as a Blue Raider, and manning one of the spots. Cade Becher the coaches feel he will be a big Junior Bradley Robinson is coming Dr. James E. Walker Junior Academic Award contributor in the fall. off his best year as a collegian and one of the Erik Walden Competing for time at the “Sam” best by a Blue Raider cornerback in the I-A era. linebacker position will be Marcus Brandon The Duncan, S.C., native collected 41 tackles, a Jeanne Massaquoi Sophomore Academic Award personal-best fi ve interceptions, and seven pass John Marc Stephens and Lonnie Clemons. Brandon, a former walk-on, has improved breakups on his way to being named honor- Dr. Don Craig Freshman Academic Award each year in the Blue Raider program and saw able mention all-conference. Trevor Jenkins signifi cant snaps in 2005. The Clarksville, Tenn., Backing up Robinson at left corner Most Dependable Quarterback native played mostly in passing situations and will be Reggie Doucet. A senior from Prune- Clint Marks collected a career-best 15 tackles. Following dale, Calif., Doucet played in every game last the spring, Brandon earned the starting spot year but was mainly used on special teams. Most Dependable Eugene Gross entering fall camp. On the right side, look for Clemons, who is listed behind Brandon, junior Roy Polite to get the nod. Polite has Most Dependable Wide Receiver played in all 11 games a year ago, but most of started just once in his career but has Pierre Ingram his time came on special teams so he does not seen extensive playing time as a reserve. Most Dependable Tight End have a lot of snaps at linebacker. The Jacksonville, Fla., native had a Clint Corder personal-best 23 tackles last year to Safeties Jonathan Harris go along with an and is Most Dependable Off ensive Line Germayle Franklin, Brandon Nix The safeties play a big role on the Blue Raider poised for a big year in 2006. defense, and this year’s unit welcomes back plenty of Behind Polite will be sophomore Jordan Wilson, who Most Dependable Defensive Line experience to bolster a secondary that was vastly improved played last year as a true freshman on the punt block team. Tavares Jones in 2005. A running back and defensive back in high school, Wilson Most Dependable Linebacker Senior Jonathan Harris leads the way for the Blue Raiders possesses good speed and athletic ability but just needs to Justin Rainey as a returning two-year starter at the position. Harris, get on the fi eld. known as a big hitter, is coming off a solid 2005 season, Most Dependable Safety Jonathan Harris when he tallied 37 tackles, a sack, and an interception. Harris’ interception came in Middle Tennessee’s win over Special Teams Most Dependable Corner Vanderbilt and set up the An area that has Roy Polite game’s fi rst touchdown. always been solid for the Blue Most Dependable Kicker Competing with Harris will Raiders should be good again Colby Smith be Ronald Steed, who returned in 2006. The main concern is to the defensive side of the ball fi nding a replacement for deep Blue Raider Quarterback snapper John Crawford, who Clint Marks after a stint at running back a year ago. Steed, who made the was a starter the past four years. Blue Raider Running Back switch to running back to help Senior Colby Smith Albert Webb with depth, fi nished with 195 returns to handle the punting Blue Raider Wide Receiver yards rushing on 45 attempts and placekicking duties for the Pierre Ingram for a 4.3-yard per carry average third straight year after earning during the 2005 season. In his all-conference honors in 2005. Blue Raider Tight End Smith, from nearby Franklin, Clint Corder fi rst game at running back, Steed had 67 yards and a touch- Tenn., struggled in the fi eld Blue Raider Off ensive Line down against Arkansas State goal department last season Cade Becher and later had a career-best 72 but excelled in punting. After Blue Raider Defensive Line yards at Troy. hitting 15 of 17 fi eld goals in Trevor Jenkins The strong safety position 2004, Smith made just 7 of 16 will be manned by the talented attempts in 2005, but did put Blue Raider Linebacker Damon Nickson. A junior, Nick- together the sixth-best punting Chance Dunleavy Bradley Robinson son is coming off his best year average in school history at Blue Raider Safety as a Blue Raider with 35 tackles 42.1 yards a boot. Smith enters Damon Nickson and three pass breakups. The his fi nal season ranked fourth Blue Raider Corner Milton, Fla., native has started nine times in his fi rst two in career punting average and tied for sixth in fi eld goals Bradley Robinson years and brings a lot of experience to the secondary. made. Backing up Nickson will be junior Dana Stewart. A former Backing up Smith at placekicker will be Matt King, and Blue Raider Kicker walk-on, Stewart has played in 18 games the past two Matt Long is listed behind Smith at the punter position. Colby Smith

MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOOTBALL 13 2006 Starters Returning/Lost Off ense Returning (8) Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Key Stats Richard Bortner OG 6-6 340 r-So. Started last six games of season ... Had 73.5 knockdowns Stephen Chicola TE 6-4 253 Jr. Third on the team with a career-best 29 receptions Franklin Dunbar OT 6-5 327 r-So. Started last fi ve games and had a cumulative grade of 73 percent Germayle Franklin OG 6-4 314 r-Sr. Earned second team all-conference honors Marcus Gates C 6-2 289 r-Sr. Had 93 knockdowns and a cumulative grade of 81 percent Eugene Gross RB 5-9 208 r-Sr. Led all SBC backs with 33 catches ... Led league in scoring Clint Marks QB 6-2 200 r-Sr. First QB in school history to have back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons Bobby Williams WR 6-3 177 So. Started 10 games ... Was fourth on team with 22 receptions

Lost (3) Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Key Stats Willie Hall OT 6-6 310 r-Jr. Second team all-conference ... Started 22 straight games Nick McAfee FB 6-0 251 r-Sr. Had career-best seven receptions and two touchdowns Cleannord Saintil WR 5-11 197 Sr. 1st team all-conference ... Led league in receiving

Defense Returning (4) Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Key Stats Jonathan Harris S 5-10 202 Sr. Started all 11 games and collected 37 tackles and a sack Bradley Robinson CB 5-10 170 r-Jr. Had fi ve interceptions and earned SBC honorable mention honors J.K. Sabb LB 5-11 221 Sr. Led the Blue Raiders in tackles with 71 ... Second team all-SBC Erik Walden DE 6-2 232 r-Jr. Career-best 33 tackles and three sacks

Lost (7) Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Key Stats Jonathan Bonner LB 6-0 222 r-Jr. Started fi rst eight games before going down with an injury Dennis Burke LB 6-1 238 Sr. Had 36 tackles and a sack before going down with an injury Jeff Littlejohn DL 6-2 322 r-Sr. The Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 Keon Raymond CB 5-11 177 Sr. Career-best 50 tackles and two interceptions Devarick Scandrett DE 6-4 277 Sr. Career-best 33 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks Quinton Staton DL 6-2 271 Sr. Second team all-conference Jeremiah Weaver S 5-11 180 Sr. Had 39 total tackles, an interception, and a blocked fi eld goal

Special Teams Returning (1) Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Key Stats Colby Smith PK/P 5-9 190 r-Sr. Second team all-conference as a punter ... Made 7 of 16 fi eld goals

Lost (2) Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Key Stats John Crawford DS 6-0 253 Sr. Started every game and did not have a bad snap Paul Wheeler Kickoff s 6-1 222 r-Sr. Had fi ve touchbacks and an average depth of the 8.3 yard line

Jonathan Bonner Dennis Burke Willie Hall Jeff Littlejohn Cleannord Saintil Devarick Scandrett Quinton Staton

14 MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOOTBALL 2006 Preseason Depth Chart OFFENSE QUARTERBACK 17 Clint Marks (6-2, 200, r-Sr.) 10 Patrick Jackson (6-0, 192, r-Jr.) FULLBACK 41 John Marc Stephens (6-4, 256, r-So.) 40 Josh Dutton (6-0, 228, Sr.) TAILBACK 20 Eugene Gross (5-9, 208, r-Sr.) 22 DeMarco McNair (5-11, 192, r-Jr.) X RECEIVER 4 Pierre Ingram (6-4, 210, r-Sr.) 89 Rod Taylor (6-2, 190, r-Fr.) Z RECEIVER 13 Taron Henry (6-1, 189, r-Jr.) 9 Jay Robinson (6-3, 200, r-Fr.) B RECEIVER 83 Jonathan Grigsby (5-9, 183, r-Jr.) 86 Patrick Honeycutt (5-9, 162, r-Fr.) LEFT TACKLE 54 Franklin Dunbar (6-5, 327, r-So.) 72 Mark Thompson (6-4, 298, r-Fr.) LEFT GUARD 79 Brandon Nix (6-4, 296, Jr.) 77 David Price (6-4, 312, r-So.) CENTER 50 Paul Cantrell (6-5, 326, r-Sr.) 57 Marcus Gates (6-2, 289, r-Sr.) RIGHT GUARD 61 Cade Becher (6-3, 270, r-Sr.) 70 Richard Bortner (6-6, 340, r-So.) RIGHT TACKLE 73 Germayle Franklin (6-4, 314, r-Sr.) 65 Darrell Howard (6-5, 278, r-So.) TIGHT END 80 Clinton Corder (6-3, 240, r-Jr.) 85 Stephen Chicola (6-4, 253, Jr.)

DEFENSE LEFT END 43 Erik Walden (6-2, 232, r-Jr.) 98 Chris McCoy (6-4, 263, r-Fr.) NOSE GUARD 97 Trevor Jenkins (6-1, 280, So.) 78 Derek Mason (6-4, 271, r-Jr.) TACKLE 95 Jonathan Presley (6-4, 244, So.) 92 Brandon Perry (6-1, 323, So.) RIGHT END 45 Sean Mosley (6-2, 255, r-Jr.) 19 Tavares Jones (6-2, 236, Jr.) SAM LINEBACKER 39 Marcus Brandon (5-11, 215, r-Sr.) 29 Lonnie Clemons (6-1, 214, r-So.) MIKE LINEBACKER 11 Chance Dunleavy (6-2, 239, Sr.) 56 Wes Hofacker (6-2, 247, r-So.) WILL LINEBACKER 1 Justin Rainey (6-0, 222, r-Sr.) 25 J.K. Sabb (5-11, 221, Sr.) LEFT CORNER 24 Bradley Robinson (5-10, 170, r-Jr.) 27 Reggie Doucet (6-0, 190, Sr.) STRONG SAFETY 5 Damon Nickson (6-0, 177, Jr.) 32 Dana Stewart (6-0, 198, r-Jr.) FREE SAFETY 8 Jonathan Harris (5-10, 202, Sr.) 18 Ronald Steed (5-11, 207, r-Sr.) RIGHT CORNER 6 Roy Polite (6-0, 188, Jr.) 26 Jordan Wilson (5-10, 168, So.)

SPECIALISTS PLACEKICKER 46 Colby Smith (5-9, 190, r-Sr.) 35 Matt King (5-10, 190, r-So.) PUNTER 46 Colby Smith (5-9, 190, r-Sr.) Matt Long (5-7, 195, Fr.) SNAPPER 42 Jonathan Parks (6-0, 230, Sr.) HOLDER 81 Luke Paschall (5-10, 181, r-Sr.) 47 Walt Bell (5-10, 190, r-Sr.) KICKOFF RETURNER 13 Taron Henry (6-1, 198, r-Jr.) 5 Damon Nickson (6-0, 177, Jr.) PUNT RETURNER 24 Bradley Robinson (5-10, 170, r-Jr.) 83 Jonathan Grigsby (5-9, 183, r-Jr.)

MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOOTBALL 15 2006 Rosters Numerical Alphabetical NO NAME POS HT WT CL B’DAY LETTERS HOMETOWN/HS or JC No. Name, Position 1 Justin Rainey LB 6-0 222 r-Sr. 5/4/84 2 Rock Hill, SC/Northwestern HS 61 Cade Becher, OL 2 Desmond Gee RB 5-8 170 Fr. 11/8/87 0 Greenville, FL/Madison Co. HS 47 Walt Bell, WR 3 Salin Simpson QB 6-3 205 Fr. 5/12/87 0 Lexington, KY/Henry Clay HS 38 Hunter Birtsch, FB 4 Pierre Ingram WR 6-4 210 r-Sr. 5/15/84 3 Stockbridge, GA/Stockbridge HS 70 Richard Bortner, OL 5 Damon Nickson CB 6-0 177 Jr. 9/9/84 2 Milton, FL/Milton HS Ben Bradley, S 6 Roy Polite CB 6-0 188 Jr. 11/30/85 2 Jacksonville, FL/Fletcher Sr. HS 39 Marcus Brandon, LB 7 Alex Suber RB 5-9 163 So. 12/1/86 1 Tampa, FL/Thomas Jeff erson HS 88 Michael Cannon, WR 8 Jonathan Harris S 5-10 202 Sr. 2/25/85 2 Montgomery, AL/Jeff erson Davis HS 50 Paul Cantrell, OL 9 Jay Robinson WR 6-3 200 r-Fr. 11/27/86 0 Wetumpka, AL/Wetumpka HS 44 Danny Carmichael, LB 10 Patrick Jackson QB 6-2 192 r-Jr. 9/19/84 0 Macon, GA/First Presbyterian Day Sch. 85 Stephen Chicola, TE 11 Chance Dunleavy LB 6-2 239 Sr. 1/27/85 1 West Covina, CA/South Hills HS Zack Christian, DE 12 Joe Craddock QB 5-11 188 r-So. 9/7/85 0 Birmingham, AL/Briarwood Christian 29 Lonnie Clemons, LB 13 Taron Henry WR 6-1 189 r-Jr. 4/18/84 2 Murfreesboro, TN/Riverdale HS 80 Clinton Corder, TE 16 Gene Delle Donne QB 6-5 230 r-Fr. 1/14/87 0 Wilmington, DE/Salesianum HS Dave Cowan, FB 17 Clint Marks QB 6-2 200 r-Sr. 12/23/83 3 Fort Myers, FL/Estero HS 12 Joe Craddock, QB 18 Ronald Steed S 5-11 207 r-Sr. 10/12/84 2 Kennesaw, GA/North Cobb HS Brandon Davis, CB 19 Tavares Jones DE 6-2 236 Jr. 3/30/86 2 Swainsboro, GA/Swainsboro HS Chris DeGeorge, TE 16 Gene Delle Donne, QB 20 Eugene Gross RB 5-9 208 r-Sr. 2/26/83 3 Statesboro, GA/Statesboro HS 27 Reggie Doucet, CB 21 Phillip Tanner RB 6-0 195 Fr. 8/8/88 0 Dallas, TX/Kimball HS 54 Franklin Dunbar, OL 22 DeMarco McNair RB 5-11 192 r-Jr. 3/21/85 1 Thomson, GA/Thomson HS 11 Chance Dunleavy, LB 23 Albert Webb RB 5-6 160 r-So. 7/5/85 0 Swainsboro, GA/Swainsboro Devin Dutton, LB 24 Bradley Robinson CB 5-10 170 r-Jr. 1/24/85 2 Duncan, SC/James F. Byrnes HS 40 Josh Dutton, FB 25 J.K. Sabb LB 5-11 221 Sr. 5/17/85 1 Augusta, GA/Georgia Military JC 73 Germayle Franklin, OL 26 Jordan Wilson CB 5-10 168 So. 1/31/87 1 Tampa, FL/Chamberlain HS 57 Marcus Gates, C 27 Reggie Doucet CB 6-0 190 Sr. 6/3/85 1 Prunedale, CA/El Camino JC 2 Desmond Gee, RB 29 Lonnie Clemons LB 6-1 214 r-So. 9/12/85 1 Milledgeville, GA/Baldwin HS Nicholas Gordon, CB 30 Cam Robinson LB 6-1 220 Fr. 3/21/88 0 Stevenson, AL/North Jackson HS Tanner Graham, S 31 David Raymond WR 5-10 174 r-So. 5/24/85 0 Atlanta, GA/Dalton HS 83 Jonathan Grigsby, WR 32 Dana Stewart S 6-0 198 r-Jr. 6/18/84 2 Springfi eld, TN/Springfi eld HS 20 Eugene Gross, RB 35 Matt King P 5-10 190 r-So. 1/29/86 0 Valdosta, GA/Valdosta HS 8 Jonathan Harris, S 36 Michael Zacco PK 5-10 175 Fr. 10/31/87 0 Ocala, FL/Trinity Catholic HS Matthew Hassell, CB 38 Hunter Birtsch FB 5-11 233 r-Jr. 8/14/85 2 Knoxville, TN/Bearden HS 75 Chris Hawkins, OL 39 Marcus Brandon LB 5-11 215 r-Sr. 1/12/84 1 Clarksville, TN/Kenwood HS 13 Taron Henry, WR 40 Josh Dutton FB 6-0 228 r-Sr. 4/7/85 0 Lenoir City, TN/Lenoir City HS 56 Wes Hofacker, LB 41 John Marc Stephens FB 6-4 256 r-So. 11/15/85 1 Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman HS 86 Patrick Honeycutt, WR 42 Jonathan Parks DS 6-0 230 Sr. 7/6/84 2 Nashville, TN/Hunters Lane HS 65 Darrell Howard, OL 43 Erik Walden DE 6-2 232 r-Jr. 8/21/85 2 Dublin, GA/Dublin HS 82 Alvin Ingle, TE 44 Danny Carmichael LB 6-0 230 Fr. 5/24/88 0 Woodstock, GA/Woodstock HS 4 Pierre Ingram, WR 10 Patrick Jackson, QB 45 Sean Mosley DE 6-2 255 r-Jr. 10/4/84 2 Sylvania, GA/Screven Co. HS Julian Jamison, RB 46 Colby Smith P/PK 5-9 190 r-Sr. 9/26/83 3 Franklin, TN/Franklin HS 97 Trevor Jenkins, DL 47 Walt Bell WR 5-10 188 r-Sr. 6/7/84 3 Dickson, TN/Dickson Co. HS 19 Tavares Jones, DE 48 Adam Wade LB/DS 5-10 210 Fr. 1/21/88 0 Florence, SC/South Florence HS 35 Matt King, K 49 Andre Wicker LB 6-1 225 Fr. 11/5/87 0 Atlanta, GA/Booker T. Washington HS 62 Evon Lettsome, OL 50 Paul Cantrell OL 6-5 326 r-Sr. 10/11/83 2 Canton, GA/Sequoyah HS Matt Long, P 51 Coy Williamson LB 5-11 243 Fr. 6/30/86 0 Niceville, FL/Niceville HS Chad Malkiewicz, LB 52 Gary Tucker DL 6-2 245 Fr. 3/14/88 0 Maryville, TN/Maryville HS Brodey Mann, FB 54 Franklin Dunbar OL 6-5 327 r-So. 3/12/85 1 Waycross, GA/Ware Co. HS 17 Clint Marks, QB 55 Christopher Sapp DL 6-4 276 r-Sr. 9/8/83 2 Albany, GA/Dougherty HS 78 Derek Mason, DL 56 Wes Hofacker LB 6-2 247 r-So. 1/21/86 0 Allen, TX/Allen HS Bobby Matthews, FS 57 Marcus Gates C 6-2 289 r-Sr. 11/5/83 3 LaGrange, GA/LaGrange HS 98 Chris McCoy, DE 61 Cade Becher OL 6-3 270 r-Sr. 4/17/83 1 Peoria, AZ/Scottsdale CC 22 DeMarco McNair, RB 62 Evon Lettsome OL 6-4 295 Fr. 8/21/88 0 Apopka, FL/Apopka HS 71 J.C. Moore, OL 63 Chris Ritter OL 6-2 316 r-So. 2/5/86 0 Shalimar, FL/Choctawhatchee HS 45 Sean Mosley, DE 65 Darrell Howard OL 6-5 278 r-So. 2/1/86 0 Covington, GA/Eastside HS 5 Damon Nickson, CB 70 Richard Bortner OL 6-6 340 r-So. 5/2/86 1 Crestview, FL/Crestview HS Brad Nix, LB 71 J.C. Moore OL 6-6 305 Fr. 7/6/88 0 Forest, MS/Forest HS 79 Brandon Nix, OL 72 Mark Thompson OL 6-4 298 r-Fr. 12/29/86 0 Hickory, TN/DCA Thomas Osteen, WR

16 MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOOTBALL 2006 Rosters

73 Germayle Franklin OL 6-4 314 r-Sr. 3/20/84 3 Waycross, GA/Ware Co. HS 75 Chris Hawkins OL 6-3 285 Fr. 10/26/87 0 Lexington, KY/Henry Clay HS Alphabetical 77 David Price OL 6-4 312 r-So. 12/18/84 0 Jacksonville, FL/Mandarin HS 42 Jonathan Parks, DS 78 Derek Mason DL 6-4 271 r-Jr. 11/27/84 0 Starkville, MS/East Mississippi JC 81 Luke Paschall, WR 79 Brandon Nix OL 6-4 296 Jr. 1/17/86 2 Talladega, AL/Coosa Valley Academy Hunter Patterson, WR 80 Clinton Corder TE 6-3 240 r-Jr. 7/24/84 2 Brentwood, TN/CPA 92 Brandon Perry, DL 81 Luke Paschall WR 5-10 181 r-Sr. 12/9/83 2 Dickson, TN/Dickson Co. HS 6 Roy Polite, CB 82 Alvin Ingle TE 6-2 230 Fr. 4/26/88 0 Madison, TN/Pope John Paul II 95 Jonathan Presley, DL 83 Jonathan Grigsby WR 5-9 183 r-Jr. 10/23/84 1 Franklin, TN/Fred J. Page HS 77 David Price, OL 1 Justin Rainey, LB 85 Stephen Chicola TE 6-4 253 Jr. 10/1/85 2 Jacksonville, FL/The Bolles School 31 David Raymond, WR 86 Patrick Honeycutt WR 5-9 162 r-Fr. 12/30/86 0 Pelham, AL/Spain Park HS 63 Chris Ritter, OL 87 Bobby Williams WR 6-3 177 So. 11/26/85 1 Jacksonville, FL/Raines HS 93 Brandon Roberts, DL 88 Michael Cannon WR 5-10 184 So. 12/1/86 0 Memphis, TN/Whitehaven HS 24 Bradley Robinson, CB 89 Rod Taylor WR 6-2 190 r-Fr. 9/18/85 0 Atlanta, GA/Rockdale HS 30 Cam Robinson, LB 92 Brandon Perry DL 6-1 323 So. 4/29/86 1 Hawkinsville, GA/Hawkinsville HS 9 Jay Robinson, WR 95 Jonathan Presley DL 6-4 244 So. 10/4/85 1 Jacksonville, FL/Forrest HS Ryan Robinson, CB 97 Trevor Jenkins DL 6-1 280 So. 3/19/86 1 Macon, GA/Stratford HS 25 J.K. Sabb, LB 98 Chris McCoy DL 6-4 263 r-Fr. 11/25/86 0 Villa Rica, GA/Villa Rica HS 55 Christopher Sapp, DL 3 Salin Simpson, QB OTHER VARSITY CANDIDATES 46 Colby Smith, P/PK Ben Bradley S 6-2 191 r-Sr. 6/5/83 0 Lawrenceburg, TN/Lawrence Co. HS 18 Ronald Steed, S Zack Christian DE 6-3 278 r-So. 12/6/85 0 Harrimon, TN/Harrimon HS 41 John Marc Stephens, FB David Cowan FB 5-10 241 r-Fr. 8/21/87 0 Memphis, TN/Overton HS 32 Dana Stewart, S Brandon Davis CB 5-9 184 r-Fr. 12/30/86 0 Nashville, TN/East Literature Magnet 7 Alex Suber, RB Chris DeGeorge TE 6-0 189 r-Fr. 11/22/86 0 Portland, TN/Portland HS Vejin Tahir, K Devin Dutton LB 6-0 212 r-Fr. 11/4/86 0 Lenoir City, TN/Lenoir City HS 21 Phillip Tanner, RB Nicholas Gordon CB 5-10 180 r-Jr. 8/16/85 0 Memphis, TN/Mitchell HS Phillip Taylor, S Tanner Graham S 5-9 192 r-Sr. 6/26/83 0 Chattanooga, TN/Boyd-Buchanan HS 89 Rod Taylor, WR Matthew Hassell CB 5-10 185 r-So. 9/15/85 0 Nashville, TN/Whites Creek HS Brent Thompson, CB Julian Jamison RB 5-6 183 r-Fr. 1/12/87 0 Springfi eld, TN/Springfi eld HS 72 Mark Thompson, OL 52 Gary Tucker, DL Matt Long P 5-7 195 r-Fr. 10/4/85 0 Shelbyville, TN/Cascade HS 48 Adam Wade, LB/DS Chad Malkiewicz LB 6-1 200 r-Fr. 5/1/86 0 Hendersonville, TN/Hendersonville HS 43 Erik Walden, DE Brodey Mann FB 6-1 217 r-So. 11/19/85 0 Heath, OH/Heath HS Levy Watson, LB Bobby Matthews FS 6-0 201 r-So. 12/91/85 0 Dyersburg, TN/Dyersburg HS 23 Albert Webb, RB Brad Nix LB 5-10 222 r-Jr. 7/24/84 0 Knoxville, TN/Karns HS David West, LB Thomas Osteen WR 6-1 197 r-Jr. 9/13/84 0 Fayetteville, TN/Lincoln Co. HS 49 Andre Wicker, LB Hunter Patterson WR 5-10 178 r-Fr. 5/3/87 0 Smithville, TN/DeKalb Co. HS 87 Bobby Williams, WR Brandon Roberts DL 6-2 222 r-Fr. 3/3/87 0 Millington, TN/Millington Central 51 Coy Williamson, LB Ryan Robinson CB 5-9 160 r-Jr. 8/27/85 0 Tullahoma, TN/Tullahoma HS 26 Jordan Wilson, CB Vejin Tahir K 5-7 167 r-Fr. 10/11/85 0 Nashville, TN/Glencliff HS 36 Michael Zacco, PK Phillip Taylor S 5-7 171 r-Fr. 10/8/86 0 Nashville, TN/East Literature Magnet Brent Thompson CB 5-11 195 r-Fr. 1/15/87 0 Nashville, TN/Ezell-Harding HS Levy Watson LB 5-11 212 r-Jr. 7/5/84 0 Memphis, TN/Westside HS David West LB 5-11 233 r-Fr. 3/29/87 0 Millington, TN/Millington HS

*weights were taken on June 13, 2006 Pronunciation Guide Cade Becher ...... Beach-er Hunter Birtsch ...... birch Stephen Chicola ...... Chuh-Cola Reggie Doucet ...... Dew-Set Desmond Gee ...... G Wes Hofacker ...... Hoe-Facker Tavares Jones ...... Tuh-VAR-Us Luke Paschall ...... Pass-Cull Roy Polite ...... Puh-Light Salin Simpson ...... say-lin Alex Suber ...... SUE-burr Michael Zacco ...... Zack-Oh

MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOOTBALL 17 2006 Personnel Directory 43 Lettermen Returning Cade Becher Chance Dunleavy DeMarco McNair J.K. Sabb Walt Bell Germayle Franklin Sean Mosley Christopher Sapp Hunter Birtsch Marcus Gates Damon Nickson Colby Smith Richard Bortner Jonathan Grigsby Brandon Nix Ronald Steed Marcus Brandon Eugene Gross Jonathan Parks John Marc Stephens Paul Cantrell Jonathan Harris Luke Paschall Dana Stewart Stephen Chicola Taron Henry Brandon Perry Alex Suber Lonnie Clemons Pierre Ingram Roy Polite Erik Walden Clinton Corder Trevor Jenkins Jonathan Presley Bobby Williams Reggie Doucet Tavares Jones Justin Rainey Jordan Wilson Franklin Dunbar Clint Marks Bradley Robinson

Lettermen Returning by Position (43) Lettermen Lost by Position (24) Off ense (22), (starters underlined - 8) Off ense (10), (starters underlined - 3) *had at least one start *had at least one start

Off ensive Line: Cade Becher, Richard Bortner, Paul Cantrell, Franklin Dunbar, Off ensive Line: Willie Hall, *Kyle Ringley, *Brian Smith, Kyle Turnbow Germayle Franklin, Marcus Gates, *Brandon Nix Running back: *Ralph King Running back: Eugene Gross, DeMarco McNair, Ronald Steed, Alex Suber Wide Receiver: *Chris Henry, Cleannord Saintil, Linnie Yarbrough Fullback: *Hunter Birtsch Fullback: Nick McAfee Wide Receiver: *Walt Bell, Jonathan Grigsby, *Taron Henry, Pierre Ingram, Luke Paschall, Bobby Williams Tight End: None

Tight End: Stephen Chicola, Clinton Corder, John Marc Stephens Quarterback: Josh Harris

Quarterback: Clint Marks Defense (12), (starters underlined - 7) Linebacker: Dennis Burke, Jonathan Bonner, Anthony Glover Defense (19), (starters underlined - 4) Linebacker: Marcus Brandon, Lonnie Clemons, *Chance Dunleavy, *Tavares Defensive Line: Jason Elam, Jeff Littlejohn, Bobby Payne, Quinton Staton, Jones, Justin Rainey, J.K. Sabb Devarick Scandrett

Defensive Line: Trevor Jenkins, *Sean Mosley, Brandon Perry, Jonathan Presley, Corners: Keon Raymond, Bryant House Christopher Sapp, Erik Walden Safeties: Kevin Copeland, Jeremiah Weaver Corners: Reggie Doucet, *Damon Nickson, Roy Polite, Bradley Robinson, Jordan Wilson Specialists (2) Placekicker: Paul Wheeler Safeties: Jonathan Harris, Dana Stewart Holder: None Punter: None Specialists (2) Long Snapper: John Crawford Placekicker: Colby Smith Kickoff s: None Holder: Walt Bell Punter: Colby Smith Long Snapper: Jonathan Parks

18 MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOOTBALL