The Blue Raiders had 15 players graduate from their team after the 2020 season, none of the player left early to go pro or transfer. while there weren't many players that left, there were several key players that did, most notably 4-year starter and Heisman Trophy winner QB Lance Williams.

Graduated players(ovr rating) - Career Stats
QB Lance Williams(93) - 163.0 Rating, 787-1187(66.3%) 10,544 yards, 97 TDs 29 Ints, 528 carries 2721 rush yards 37 TDs - 2018, 2020 Maxwell winner, 2020 O'Brien winner, 2020 Heisman winner
QB Glen Smith(83)
WR Tyler Nelson(93) - 194 catches 2920 yards 28 TDs
WR Brandon Banks(93) - 140 catches 1806 yards 20 TDs
WR Kevin Weldon(88) - 64 catches 932 yards 7 TDs
TE Richard Mason(88) - 71 catches 746 yards 6 TDs
LG Daniel Bridges(92)
LE Mike Mansfield(90) - 136 tackles 29 sacks, 3 FF, 3 FR 2019, 2020 Lombardi winner
LE Matt Green(87)
RE Rashad Foster(89) - 51 tackles 6 sacks 1 FF 2 FR
DT Kevin Potts(86) - 5 tackles 1 sack
ROLB Corey Morgan(90) - 123 tackles 1 sack 1 Int 2 FR
CB Aaron Hines(95) - 107 yards 1 Int 3 FF 3 FR
CB Tony Griffin(93) - 172 yards 2 Ints 1 FR
CB Mike Smith(91) - 106 tackles 1 Int 3 FF 2 FR

The Blue Raiders pulled in the 5th ranked recruiting class with 16 new recruits. MTSU pulled in 3 total QBs, one of which is a Juco transfer. with only 1 returning QB, it was a needed addition.

2021 recruiting class
5*(#1 ATH) Martin Miller 6'3" 205 lbs (playing as WR)
5*(#2 HB) Roland Arnold 6'1" 213 lbs
5*(#1 MLB) Leon Johnson 5'11" 249 lbs
4*(#5 QB) Jason Simmons 6'4" 205lbs
4*(#8 QB Juco) Isaac Williams 6'5" 204 lbs
4*(#11 QB) Joey Walter 6'3" 199 lbs
4*(#2 WR) Eric Hill 5'10" 198 lbs
4*(#3 WR) Jonathan Collins 6'1" 173 lbs
4*(#8 TE) Drew Thibodeaux 6'7" 250 lbs
4*(#9 G) Eric Hale 6'2" 310 lbs
4*(#3 DE) Darryl Thompson 6'1" 236 lbs
4*(#23 CB) J.T. Pratt 6'1" 197 lbs
4*(#28 CB) Dan Hogan 6'0" 176 lbs
4*(#32 CB) Doug Hall 6'0" 169 lbs
3*(#25 DE Juco) Mike Hayden 6'1" 246 lbs
3*(#28 DE) Jerry Smith 6'3" 248 lbs


The Blue Raiders had to replace some key positions in the off-season, but things look great for MTSU going into the 2021 season. The Preseason Poll has MTSU at #1. The 2021 schedule looks good for the Blue Raiders, they finish up the home/home with both Michigan and Louisville. They begin the Season at home versus Utah, and will close the year at Kansas State. SEC play will see the same teams as last year.

QB Jason Johnson has big shoes to fill trying to replace Lance Williams. Jason only had limited time of play so far, but he is a 5th year player, so he knows the system well. The offense could change a little with Johnson at the helm, as he is not as mobile as Lance Williams. HB Jarrett Denman is expected to do big things this season, he comes into the year as the team's biggest returning offensive threat. He'll likely get the bulk of the carries this year, unlike last year were it was a 3-way split between Williams, Wade and himself. WR Austin Joseph is the most experienced WR in the group, but only 50 catches in 4 playing seasons. MTSU has a lot of potential talent on offense, but not a lot of actual game experience. The offensive line, however, is very experience and very talented.

Defensively, The Blue Raiders are lacking up front, starting a true freshman, and a redshirt freshman at the DEs, but a good solid DT to be the NT. MTSU is stacked at the LB positions though, definatly the strength of the defense.

MTSU's 2021 Schedule:
8/28 - Utah
9/4 - @#6 Michigan
9/11 - Louisville
9/18 - Ole Miss
9/25 - @Georgia
10/2 - @#10 South Carolina
10/9 - @LSU
10/14 - Mississippi State
10/23 - Florida
11/6 - @Vanderbilt
11/13 - #17 Tennessee
11/20 - @Kansas State