Each year, Dane Brugler of The Athletic carefully constructs his monster.
A freakish number of rankings, profiles and verified measurements, all somehow confined to 300,000 words, make up his annual NFL Draft guide. It’s his masterpiece, or “The Beast” as it’s affectionately named.
Brugler released his latest rendition earlier this month, which ranks over 2,700 draft-eligible players, including 10 Blue Raiders.
While Brugler doesn’t project any of MTSU’s men to be drafted over the weekend, here’s a quick rundown of where each ranks among their position group.
Parker Hughes, linebacker
Positional rank: No. 40/242
An Elizabethton, Tennessee native, Hughes slots in as the highest-rated linebacker out of Conference USA. A 2025 team captain, Hughes led the Blue Raiders with a career-best 100 tackles last season. He received Second Team All-CUSA honors for his efforts and only boosted his pro potential in the offseason.
Hughes posted an impressive 4.40 40-yard dash time and completed 25 bench press reps at his MTSU Pro Day. Had he been invited, Hughes’ marks would’ve been best and tied for second-best among linebackers at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
His violent playing style, combined with best-in-class speed, could make Hughes an intriguing late-round or undrafted free agency candidate.
Nicholas Vattiato, quarterback
Positional rank: No. 64/99
Middle Tennessee’s second all-time leading passer, Vattiato enters the weekend ranked in the back half of his position group, and fifth among available CUSA QBs.
The longtime Blue Raider signal caller spent the offseason rehabbing from a torn right pectoral muscle that sidelined him for MTSU’s final three games.
Vattiato is mostly recovered from the injury and fully participated in passing drills at his pro day but faces an uphill battle in earning an NFL roster spot.
Damonte Smith, defensive tackle
Positional rank: No. 83/249
Like Hughes, Smith also ranks as the top CUSA prospect at his respective position. Smith tallied a career-high 34 tackles last year, including 11.5 tackles for loss (TFLs), three sacks and an interception en route to a First Team All-CUSA selection.
He posted 31 bench press reps during his pro day, which would’ve proved to be the best among defensive tackles at the NFL Combine.
Juwon Gaston, safety
Positional rank: No. 200/271
Gaston enters draft weekend after one season with the Blue Raiders. He transferred to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, following a two-year stint at community colleges and two more seasons at the University of Houston.
He played in nine games for MTSU, earning three starts. The highlight of his Middle Tennessee tenure came in a 14-13 win against the University of Nevada, Reno, where he hauled in two second-half interceptions that kept the Blue Raiders alive late.
Brandon Buckner, edge rusher
Positional rank: No. 225/270
After committing to the University of Oregon out of high school, Buckner transferred to MTSU following his sophomore year and proved to be a valuable pass rusher.
Buckner led the team in sacks for the last two seasons, notching a career-best of 5.5 to go along with 7.5 TFLs in 2025.
De’Arre McDonald, cornerback
Positional rank: No. 270/318
A Murfreesboro, Tennessee native, McDonald attended the University of Cincinnati for two seasons after graduating from Oakland High School, before ultimately returning home.
In 2025, McDonald played in all 12 games for the Blue Raiders. He earned six starts and amassed a career-best 29 tackles and seven pass breakups.
Myles Butler, wide receiver
Positional rank: No. 264/380
A three-year member of the Blue Raiders, Butler led the team in receptions with a career-high of 52 in 2025. He averaged 9.96 yards per reception and scored two touchdowns on the year.
Butler became a prominent target for MTSU later in his career, as he totaled five or more catches in five separate games during his final season.
Jacob Otts, offensive tackle
Positional rank: No. 110/146
A transfer from the University of Rhode Island, Otts came to MTSU as a graduate student in 2025 and started nine games for the Blue Raiders.
He totaled 618 snaps at the left tackle spot, before an injury against Florida International University sidelined him for the team’s last three games.
Joseph Habinowski, guard
Positional rank: No. 117/159
Habinowski joined the Blue Raiders offensive line after five seasons at Ohio University. The former Bobcat is listed as a guard in the draft process, despite starting nine games in the tackle spots for MTSU last year.
He started six games at right tackle before finishing the year with three straight starts on the left side in place of an injured Otts.
Jacob Hathaway, kicker
Positional rank: No. 24/40
Hathaway is one of the more intriguing members of this Blue Raider draft class, purely due to his background.
Prior to his lone season with MTSU, Hathaway had never attempted a field goal in a game, as he spent the previous three years as a soccer player at West Virginia Tech.
Hathaway ended the year 11-of-14 on field goal attempts and a perfect 27-of-27 on PATs. His longest-made field goal came from 50 yards out against Marshall University.
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