Middle Tennessee State University's football program has made significant strides in bolstering its roster for the 2026 season. On National Signing Day, Coach Derek Mason's team successfully acquired four promising high school athletes and integrated 17 experienced players from the transfer portal, demonstrating a strategic effort to enhance the team's depth and competitive edge. This comprehensive recruitment drive has resulted in a total of 35 new additions, setting a strong foundation for future successes.
MTSU Football's Strategic Roster Reinforcement on National Signing Day
On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) football, under the guidance of Coach Derek Mason, officially welcomed four new high school recruits and an impressive 17 transfer players to its 2026 roster. This pivotal day saw key additions across various positions, with a particular focus on strengthening both offensive and defensive lines, as well as the backfield.
Among the notable high school signees are quarterback Mason Mallory from Delray Beach, Florida, and offensive linemen Tim Jacobs from Columbus, Ohio, and Ashley Walker, also from Delray Beach, Florida. Running back Robert Lathon Jr. from Columbus, Ohio, rounds out the high school talent joining the Blue Raiders.
The transfer portal proved to be a rich hunting ground for MTSU, yielding five players from major power conferences. These include defensive back James Johnson from Southern California, defensive lineman James Bodford from Missouri, running back Antonio Martin from Kansas State, defensive back Dyson McCutcheon from Washington, and linebacker Reese Tripp from Minnesota. Antonio Martin, a 5-foot-9, 222-pound redshirt senior from Atlanta, is expected to make an immediate impact, stepping into the void left by Jekail Middlebrook. Martin's previous season at Kansas State saw him rush for 129 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries across five games.
The complete 2026 signing class features a diverse group of athletes from various states, including Jayden Arenas-Michel (DT, Dayton, Ohio), Bryant Ausmer (DE, Ocean Springs, Mississippi), Ziyon Butler (WR, Jacksonville, Florida), Emmanuel Gyamfi (DT, Buford, Georgia), Justis Haggard (S, Murfreesboro, Tennessee), Jadin Hambrick (TE, Tyler, Texas), Jonas Jimerson (OLB, Memphis, Tennessee), Bryson Maddox (WR, Clinton, Tennessee), Jack Mohlman (OL, Ponte Vedra, Florida), Christien Moreau (DT, Miramar, Florida), Shane Rochelle (ILB, Miami Gardens, Florida), Ethan Sherman (CB, Jacksonville, Florida), Bryce Williams (S, St. Cloud, Florida), and Rocco Williams (QB, Pickerington, Ohio).
The transfer portal additions further expand the team's talent pool with players like Justin Bodford (DT, Plantation, Florida via Missouri), Dominic Bourgeois (PK, Baltimore via Susquehanna), Terrence Brown Jr. (RB, Detroit via Saginaw Valley State), Kaven Call (LB, Apopka, Florida via East Tennessee State), Adrian Crespin (OL, Woodbridge, Virginia via Virginia Union), Trevaris Edwards (OL, Pensacola, Florida via West Florida), Trashun Griffin (DT, Centreville, Alabama via Troy), Jason Hardy (CB, Detroit via Grand Valley State), Ricky Lee III (CB, Atlanta via Sacramento State), Chris Moreno (OL, Newark, New Jersey via Monmouth), La'Garrius Sims (OLB, Mobile, Alabama via East Central CC), Ashton Taylor (LB, Hoover, Alabama via Jackson State), and Hogan Wasson (WR, Colleyville, Texas via Central Missouri).
These strategic player acquisitions signify a determined effort by MTSU football to build a competitive and resilient team for the upcoming season, leveraging both emerging high school talent and experienced collegiate transfers.
This latest round of recruitment for MTSU football highlights a growing trend in collegiate athletics where the transfer portal plays an increasingly vital role in shaping team rosters. The ability to attract seasoned players from larger programs, alongside fresh high school talent, allows teams like MTSU to rapidly address needs and elevate their competitive standing. This dynamic approach to team building offers both opportunities and challenges, requiring shrewd evaluation and integration strategies to foster cohesive and successful teams. It also underscores the evolving landscape of college sports, where flexibility and responsiveness in recruitment are key to sustained excellence.