With MTSU Blue Raider Spring practices concluded, Bleacher Report released their Top 10 Breakout Candidates for the 2016 season and in at #5 is Blue Raider Brent Stockstill. According to Bleacher Report:
If Brent Stockstill flew under your radar last season, that’s understandable. Middle Tennessee State didn’t have the type of standout campaign that triggered national attention like the ones at fellow “Group of Five” schools Houston, Navy, Toledo and Western Kentucky.
But Stockstill’s numbers last season signaled huge things to come out of Murfreesboro. He was one of only 12 quarterbacks in the entire country to throw for at least 4,000 yardsâand he was the only freshman to do it. Stockstill completed two-thirds of his passes, hit the 30-touchdown mark and finished with single-digit interceptions.
Now Stockstill, the son of MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill, is under the direction of new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, who was potential No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Jared Goff’s coordinator last season at California. Franklin has a reputation for developing strong quarterbacks in his spread system, and Stockstill is the next in line.
In addition to the new system, Stockstill will rely on the talents of Richie James, with whom he developed a strong freshman connection last season. James was 12th nationally in receiving yards per game and tied for the second-most catches (108) in the country. Productive tight end Terry Pettis is now back at wide receiver, too.
The talented lefty has a bright future ahead of him at Middle Tennessee, and he’ll contend for the FBS passing title this season. Don’t be surprised if Stockstill is the next big quarterback on the rise in the Group of Five leagues.
