Brent Stockstill named MTSU starting QB

MURFREESBORO — MTSU redshirt freshman quarterback Brent Stockstill will make his first career start on Saturday when the Blue Raiders host Jackson State.

The announcement came during MTSU's press conference on Monday morning.

Stockstill, a Siegel graduate, is the son of MTSU coach Rick Stockstill.

Brent Stockstill and 2014 starter Austin Grammer have been in an intense battle for the starting spot since spring practice, taking equal snaps with the first team.

Grammer started all 12 games in 2014 when MTSU went 6-6, becoming bowl eligible for the third straight season.

"I told all of our players coming into camp that every position is open competition and I will say the same thing next year,” Rick Stockstill said. “I believe in competition and what you did yesterday doesn't matter. You have to improve and earn it every day.”

Last season Grammer threw for 2,557 yards and 17 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 442 yards and six scores.

Brent Stockstill was 2-of-3 passing for 41 yards in the 2014 season opener. It was the lone game he played and then took a redshirt.

Rick Stockstill said both quarterbacks will play against Jackson State.

“Both he and Austin (Grammer) will play. Brent earned the right to start," Rick Stockstill said. “Just because you name a starter, doesn't mean the other guy did bad.

“Austin had a good camp and I don't want to get into specifics, but overall when we looked at total production, we just felt that Brent was more productive."

During the preseason, Brent Stockstill was solid as a rock completing 20 of 25 passes for 183 yards and four touchdowns in the “Beanie Bowl” scrimmage.

While Stockstill is the better thrower of the two, offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner said Brent is sneaky athletic and that the up-tempo system should not miss a beat.

“I think Brent has the better arm and Austin is the better runner,” Faulkner told The Daily News Journal last week. “But I feel like we can win with both of them”

Brent Stockstill’s poise and ability to get the ball downfield really impressed his teammates as well.

Jeremiah Bryson, a senior running back who also spoke at the presser, said he’s excited to see Brent in there.

“It won't (change) at all,” Bryson said about the offense with Brent Stockstill behind center. “Brent will come in here like no step was lost. He is a good leader and came into the summer like a leader. For a freshman to be able to take over the team like that, I know we're all behind him. We'll be just as comfortable with him as if Grammer was in the game.”

Brent Stockstill came to MTSU after being granted a release from the University of Cincinnati.

Rick Stockstill said although he gets to coach his son, he rarely gets to see him outside of practice.

Kickoff for the Jackson State game is set for 6 p.m. at Floyd Stadium. Tickets are still available.

Reach Aldo Amato at 615-278-5109 and on Twitter @Aldo_Amato.