MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Elijah Carney spends much of his time balancing two demanding worlds at Middle Tennessee State University.

One revolves around practices, meetings, travel and the physical demands of Division I football. The other centers on philosophy, religious studies and long hours of reading, writing and discussion.

For Carney, both worlds matter deeply.

Awards, honors, accolades abound

The senior linebacker for the Blue Raiders was recently recognized as the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies’ Outstanding Student of the Year and selected as a nominee for the College of Liberal Arts outstanding student award.

Carney was also a 2026 inductee into Chi Alpha Sigma, the national honor society recognizing collegiate student-athletes who excel in both athletics and academics. He currently maintains a 4.0 GPA while majoring in philosophy and recently decided to add religious studies as a second major.

“I’ve always been a thinker,” Carney said. “I read ‘The Confessions’ by St. Augustine in a class my freshman year and it just changed my perspective. I liked what he had to say.”

Carney transferred to MTSU after his freshman year at Bethel University in West Tennessee. Originally from Ripley, he came to Murfreesboro looking for an opportunity to continue playing football while pursuing his education.

“I applied here, got accepted, got introduced to Coach (Derek) Mason, went to a tryout, and made the team,” Carney said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, this is definitely going to be it.’ And I love Murfreesboro, too.”

Since arriving at MTSU in the fall of 2024, Carney has earned multiple team honors, including Defensive Scout Team Player of the Week and Special Teams Scout Player of the Week recognition. He also has become known among teammates and coaches for his consistency and work ethic.

“Elijah is a person of exceptional character, as a student and as a teammate,” said AJ Reisig, linebacker coach for MTSU. “He truly exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete.”

Reisig said Carney consistently approaches football, academics and life with discipline and focus.

“He is able to manage the workload from both while giving maximum effort to whatever he is currently doing at the time,” Reisig said. “He has never allowed his circumstances to dictate or control his effort.”

Balancing act: ‘Control what you can control’

Balancing football and academics has not always been easy.

“That is a good question,” Carney said when asked how he manages everything. “I’m not even sure if I know how. It’s just a day at a time.”

Carney said football has helped shape the way he approaches challenges.

“They always say, ‘Control what you can control,’” Carney said. “There’s a lot of things that go on that I can’t control. But what can I do, and how can I react to that situation?”

That mindset has translated into the classroom, according to Gregory Slack, assistant professor of philosophy and the faculty member who nominated Carney for the department’s outstanding student award.

“What makes Elijah stand out as a student is his passion for philosophy and his excellent philosophical writing skills,” Slack said. “His papers are always thoughtful, clearly written, well-argued and creative.”

Slack said Carney brings a quiet intensity to classroom discussions.

“He is more concerned to take things in, hear all points of view and think deeply, rather than simply hear himself speak,” Slack said.

‘Shocked’ by department honor

Despite the demands of football, Slack said Carney consistently produces high-quality work.

“He always gets all the required work done, and in a timely manner,” Slack said.

Carney said receiving the department recognition came as a surprise.

“I was shocked for real,” Carney said. “I did not think that I deserved it. I’m looking around all the other people in my classes, and I’m like, I don’t know, I feel like they should have it.”

Outside of football and academics, Carney stays active in Every Nation Campus ministry and serves at Bethel Community Church. He leads a weekly Bible study, participates in outreach activities and volunteers with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Rutherford County in Murfreesboro

His faith, he said, has become central to the way he approaches life.

“At the beginning of this year, God just touched me,” Carney said. “It’s not something that I just talk about anymore. It’s the purpose of my life.”

After graduation, Carney hopes to pursue some form of ministry, though he remains open to where that path leads.

“I just want to spread the gospel,” he said. “In whatever capacity I can.”

For now, his focus remains on continuing to grow as a student, teammate and leader.

— Mike Davis (Michael.Davis2@mtsu.edu)