Michigan Football: Everything you need to know about MTSU

Defense wins championships

This veteran defense is headlined by one incredible safety and two dangerous linebackers. DQ Thomas and Khalil Brooks combined for 137 tackles at linebacker, and they return as the heart of this defense. Think of the duo as MTSU’s Khaleke Hudson‘s.

MTSU’s star safety is Reed Blankenship who tallied 107 total tackles in 2018 during his sophomore season. Coming out of Alabama, Reed was “all-state, all-region, all-area, all-county and was named the Player of the year in 2016,” according to the MTSU website.

Opposite Reed will be Jovante Moffatt who returns for his fifth and final season. Moffatt sat out some of last season with an injury and is facing his last shot to earn himself a chance in the NFL.

As stated, the linebackers and safeties are set to have a great season; however, the cornerbacks are the question mark for this D. In the off-season, MTSU lost three corners, all of which received impactful playing time in 2018, leading to a difficult reload.

Overall, the veteran Wolverine lineman should handle the defensive line, but the buck stops there. The linebackers are a little undersized but are quick and will disrupt even the most well-designed play. And if you get past them, good luck with Preseason All-C-USA Blankenship.