Middle Tennessee Football: Can Blue Raiders return to winning ways?

Transfers will determine if Middle Tennessee can return to form on offense

Asher O’Hara had been a staple the last couple of seasons for the program and was a very good dual-threat quarterback. He decided to take his talents to Sacramento State and that left a hole at the position.

Enter in Bailey Hockman, who was a starter for some of the season for N.C State after Devin Leary went down for the year with a leg injury. Hockman is a talented quarterback and could even be an upgrade over O’Hara, though he does not bring the dual-threat capabilities to the field.

Last year’s starting running back Chaton Mobley returns, but he is not guaranteed the starting job, as former Florida State transfer and star recruit Amir Rasul will be in the mix this season and it would not surprise me if Rasul takes over the starting job because of his talent. Another guy to keep an eye on is West Virginia transfer Martell Pettaway, who sat out last season.

The receiving group is going to be a deep and talented part of the team, as all of the top five pass catchers return. Jarrin Pierce, Yusuf Ali, CJ Windham, DJ England-Chisholm, and Jaylin Lane make up one of the more talented receiving corps in the conference and this will be a big help to Hockman, presuming that he is the starter at quarterback. The offensive line only returns two starters, but Georgia transfer Netori Johnson will be the starter at right guard and that is a big plus to the offense.

This offense has the potential to be very good if Hockman settles in. There is talent in the backfield and experience at receiver. The offensive line needs to gel, but there is talent there.