FOOTBALL 15 most important players for 2025

[_ConnerSmith_]

The 2025 college football season is less than 100 days away, which seems like forever, but it’ll be here before we know it.

I’ve put together my 15 most important Blue Raiders for Derek Mason’s second season at the helm.

15 most important Blue Raiders for the 2025 season

Ranking the 15 most important Blue Raiders for the 2025 season

middletennessee.rivals.com

 

[DoubleRRaider]

Couldn't agree more with the defensive side of the ball. Backer is for sure the strongest room imo -- if we can get some decent tackle play in the trenches i'll be smiling

 

[RaiderDoug]

Couldn't agree more with the defensive side of the ball. Backer is for sure the strongest room imo -- if we can get some decent tackle play in the trenches i'll be smiling

It's good to see 3 new players in the defensive back 7 in the top 15.

I've said it before, but watching most of the games last year - it was just glaring that was the weakest unit on the team (backers and safeties just couldn't get the job done in pass cov). We definitely needed a talent and athleticism infusion there, and hopefully Gaston, Mitchell and Chestnut can shore up that part of the D.

Our offense should be good enough to win some games if we can get some stops.

 

[_ConnerSmith_]

The offense has plenty of talented playmakers; it just depends on the offensive line. Both tackles should be fine with Jacob Otts and Zach Clayton, but I’m interested to see what they look like at guard and center.

 

[_ConnerSmith_]

It's good to see 3 new players in the defensive back 7 in the top 15.

I've said it before, but watching most of the games last year - it was just glaring that was the weakest unit on the team (backers and safeties just couldn't get the job done in pass cov). We definitely needed a talent and athleticism infusion there, and hopefully Gaston, Mitchell and Chestnut can shore up that part of the D.

Our offense should be good enough to win some games if we can get some stops.

That’s the thing; they struggled mightily in the secondary and up front, but it goes hand in hand. If the secondary isn’t covering well, it makes the LBs/DLs' job harder and vice versa. The DB and LB room looks much improved from last season. But they didn’t do a ton on the defensive line, so we’ll see how that plays out.