Unselfishness, depth outline MTSU Special Forces in 2022

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Particular Groups Coordinator Kenneth Gilstrap loves to chop up NFL movie of MTSU gamers. Charvarius Ward in his first season with Kansas Metropolis, Jovante Moffatt with the Browns, even Reed Blankenship within the preseason with the Eagles this 12 months.
 
And whereas the performs from scrimmage on PFF are nice, it is the particular groups alternatives these gamers took benefit of that make Gilstrap’s job even simpler. As a result of with the particular groups clips, the proof of what he is telling his guys on kickoff and punt groups is true in entrance them.
 
“All these guys, once they have been younger, made these performs,” Gilstrap mentioned. “And when scouts are available, they will relate to these performs. As a result of on the finish of the day, you need guys to come back in and graduate and chase NFL goals.”
 
Gilstrap took over Particular Groups Coordinator duties from Mike Polly in the course of the offseason employees duty reshuffle, however most of the identical coaches which have led taken the lead on these items, Gilstrap, Polly and Dustin Royston, have continued their focus, creating numerous continuity in each scheme and personnel from 2021 to 2022.
 
On the personnel facet, each main contributing specialist returns, led by Ray Man watch checklist punter Kyle Ulbrich and 2021 Freshman All-American punt returner Jaylin Lane. Ulbrich averaged 44.4 yards per punt in 2021, with 24 punts downed contained in the 20. Lane, in the meantime, was second within the nation in punt return common at 15.5 yards per return. Zeke Rankin returns at kicker after 74 factors (10 area objectives, 44 PATs) a season in the past, whereas kickoff specialist Scott Payne (10 touchbacks) and longsnapper Brody Butler spherical out the unit.
 
What’s modified the dynamic of the specialist room by fall camp is the addition of Particular Groups High quality Management Analyst Cam Curtis, who slid over from Offensive High quality Management for his second season on the teaching employees for the Blue Raiders.
 
“He provides us construction, he is ear between us and the coaches,” Ulbrich mentioned of Curtis. “If one thing must be achieved, he is been useful resource for us. If there’s ever been one thing that might’ve been higher, may’ve been switched, may’ve been modified, he is been supply for us to go to.”
 
Curtis is commonly serving to the specialists by their one on ones throughout observe every day, often serving to with charting different duties the unit would’ve needed to do on their very own previously.
 
“He may come over right here and do nothing,” Butler mentioned of their common observe classes in Floyd Stadium. “It is simply been good to have somebody with somewhat little bit of authority simply being with us, it is making us really feel equal.”
 
Serving to preserve the unit engaged has additionally been an elevated presence of specialists behind the returning starters, with two longsnappers (redshirt freshman Carson Garrison and freshman Connor Dougherty) returning punter Miles Tillman and new placekicker Justus Chadwick having the ability to step in on extra scout group items all through camp.
 
“It takes numerous warmth off of men, particularly throughout observe instances,” Rankin mentioned. Final 12 months, I bear in mind having to hit kickoffs, area objectives, KORs, (now) we have three totally different guys doing all the identical factor.  So, we do not have to be as apprehensive about crushing our legs or over snapping. It makes everyone wholesome in the long term.”
 
Rankin’s offseason work was evident early in camp, when he went 6-for-7 on area objectives within the group’s first scrimmage, together with 5 makes past 40 yards after making only one area objective at that distance a season in the past. After making an attempt simply 14 fields objectives in 2021 (and never making an attempt any till the fourth recreation of the season), having a wider vary of belief for the sophomore kicker may pay dividends on the scoreboard long run.
 
“I’ve positively made numerous development within the weight room, gotten loads stronger, shoutout to Coach Hickmann for that,” Rankin mentioned. “I feel I am beginning to get somewhat bit extra of coach’s belief from deeper distances. I am beginning to develop somewhat extra into the spot.”
 
On the return items, Lane is anticipated to take each kicks and punts this season, simply as his efficiency again there put him on the map a season in the past with 580 mixed kick return yards. Loads of ability guys are pushing for time on that unit, with Darius Bracy, DJ England-Chisolm and Teldrick Ross all wanting spectacular throughout camp.
 
As per common for an MTSU particular groups unit, the gunners, blockers and everybody else in between will characteristic a combination of offensive and defensive starters in addition to key reserves which have earned time on the sector. Dustin Royston cited the particular groups expertise of so a lot of his linebackers as essential for getting them forward of the curve as he reloaded on that unit this offseason, significantly their expertise on kickoff.
 
“The objective this 12 months is extra touchbacks after all and ensuring the blokes can get down there and canopy, hangtime,” kickoff specialist Scott Payne mentioned. “That is a giant a part of the kickoff protection this 12 months, is ensuring they will get down there as fast as attainable.”
 
For Gilstrap, the dedication from the group to particular groups, it doesn’t matter what their spot could also be on the depth chart, has made the entire group higher day-after-day.
 
“Scheme is scheme, however on the finish of the day, you have to have 11 guys on the market who wish to take satisfaction in particular groups,” Gilstrap mentioned. “You typically have guys that do not actually wish to do it, however we haven’t any of that vitality this 12 months. We have got an unselfish group.”