Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 2025 Preview

Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders

Head Coach: Derek Mason- At School: (3-9) 1 year; Overall: (30-64) 8 yrs

OC : Bodie Reeder; DC: Brian Stewart

2024 Record: 3-9 (2-6)

Impact Players: QB Nicholas Vattiato, RB Jakail Middlebrook, WR Myles Butler, DE Anthony Byrum, DT Shakai Woods, DE Brandon Buckner, LB Parker Hughes

Offense:

The Blue Raiders offense struggled to run the football in 2024 but the return of all-freshman RB Jakail Middlebrook should provide a much needed spark. The o-line is still in question though, and it will need to drastically improve over last season to give MTSU a more balanced attack. Under center is returning 3 year starter QB Nick Vattiato, who played well last season finishing at the top of the conference in YPG. Most of Vattiato’s main targets from last year are gone so it will remain to be seen if he can produce at the same level as last year. 

Defense:

The good news is the Blue Raider’s defense is returning 7 starters on the defensive side of the ball. The bad news is those starters were a part of one of the worst ranked defenses in all of college football a year ago. Returning LB Parker Hughes is set to lead the defense. There is promise in the front seven as MTSU was able to bring back its top sack leaders, Anthony Byrum and Brandon Buckner, and good experience in the trenches. The secondary is wide open and we could see a committee of different starters.

Analysis:

The success of the 2025 Blue Raider’s season is almost completely dependent on whether or not the defense can improve. The offense, although the o-line raises concerns, should be strong enough to keep MTSU competitive in conference play. Vattiato is as experienced as anyone in the CUSA and should be leaned on even more this season. If the defense can improve even to a middle of the pack unit, MTSU could find themselves bowl eligible come December. 

2025 Record Floor: 3-9

2025 Record Ceiling: 8-4

2025 Record Prediction: 6-6