Why Derek Mason was 'emotional' after MTSU football's first day of preseason practice

Middle Tennessee State football first-year coach Derek Mason has been with the team several months, having gone through workouts and spring practice.

But there was something a little more special about the first day of preseason practice Thursday, sparking some feelings from the former Vanderbilt coach.

"You can get emotional about days," said Mason, who was hired in December after the university fired longtime coach Rick Stockstill. He spent a year away from football and was pondering his next career move before accepting the MTSU job.

"A year ago I wasn't doing this. I stepped on the field today ... shoot, man, it's fun. I didn't think I would be emotional on that type of question. But you look at it ... the reality of it is it's a blessing. So you take every one of these days and you don't take them for granted."

Thanks in part to the transfer portal, MTSU has a lot of new faces from a team that finished 4-8 last season.

That may not be a bad thing for Mason and his new coaching staff.

"Today was outstanding, but I've got a new football team," Mason said. "We've got 59 new guys, and it doesn't feel like 59 new guys. We've done a good job integrating old and new.

"Our leaders are our leaders. It's good to see (redshirt junior quarterback) Nick (Vattiato), (redshirt senior defensive end) Andy (Nwaoko), (graduate safety) Brendon Harris and (redshirt senior linebacker) Devyn Curtis ... these guys are doing exactly what I thought they'd do. They came out here today, worked hard and got better."

Mason's energy, which was evident on the first day of preseason practice as it has been since he took over, hasn't been lost on the team, which went in shorts and T-shirts Thursday.

"He's an energetic guy," said the 6-foot-3, 251-pound Nwaoko, a Stony Brook University transfer. "If you're going to win, I feel like you've got to do something you've never done before. Energy rubs off on everybody. He's high energy all the time, on and off the field. That's what we need."

MTSU football coach Derek Mason excited about depth, position battles

Mason said the position battles and depth of the team entering practice is as strong as he's seen as a coach.

"It's about depth, and I think we're securing that right now," Mason said.

Perhaps the strongest group is in the quarterback room. Vattiato, who has started games in each of his first three seasons and was just named to the Wuerffel Watch List, is the clear front-runner.

But newcomers Luther Richesson (former Lipscomb Academy star who came from Golden West Junior College), Xavier Williams (Central Florida transfer) and freshman Roman Gagliano have all been impressive.

"The quarterback room is deep," Mason said. "We've got four guys. Nick Vattiato is by far (ahead), and I say by far, when you look at his experience and what he's put together. He's primed and ready. If we played today, Nick Vattiato could play today.

MORE: New coach Derek Mason called MTSU football fans 'apathetic.' How he's trying to build a strong base

"What's behind him are talented, athletic guys. I like that room, period. It's got athleticism and we've got arms. The big thing right now for those guys is who's No. 2? We'll see where that goes."

Mason is also optimistic about depth at the running back position behind returners Frank Peasant and Jaiden Credle and the offensive line.

"I think the competition breeds excellence," said redshirt junior offensive lineman Marcus Miller, a 6-4, 299-pound UNLV transfer. "Being able to battle for a spot leaves no room for error. Having a full offensive line room is amazing."

MTSU opens the season Aug. 31 at home against in-state rival Tennessee Tech. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. How to purchase tickets.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Why Derek Mason was 'emotional' after MTSU football's first day of preseason practice