Middle Tennessee State has flourished in recent years under head coach Kermit Davis, as the program has become one of the top teams in Conference USA and a consistent NCAA Tournament contender. Over that time, the Blue Raiders have made some big splashes on the recruiting trail, too.

Just days after signing an impressive 2018 recruiting class - headlined by Georgia prospects Tye Fagan, K.J. Buffon, and Carlos Curry - Middle Tennessee landed an early pledge from local 2019 recruit Keishawn Davidson.

Davidson, a local standout at Murfreesboro (TN) Oakland, has long been one of Davis's top priorities in the 2019 class. The talent point guard made his pledge on Sunday afternoon.

"The coaching staff is great and we have already built a really good relationship throughout this process," Davidson told HoopSeen.com. "They've made me feel like family from day one and the opportunity to be a part of the success they are having was big."

Growing up just down the road from campus, Davidson has been able to see the program reach new heights up close and personal. He is also close friends with freshman point guard Donovan Sims.

"I've been around the program for awhile now and I've been able to see how they do things. Coach Davis really pushes his players to be great and that's someone I want to play under."

Despite being an underclassmen, Davidson made an early splash with his game as a freshman. Over the last few travel seasons he has excelled on the Adidas circuit. The 6-foot-1 guard currently sits at No. 6 in the 2019 Tennessee state rankings.

"The coaches really believe in me and they believe I can come in and make an impact as a freshman. They'll develop me the best they can so I can hopefully fulfill my dreams and play professionally one day," Davidson explained.

Davidson also held offers from Austin Peay, Morehead State, and UAB. Belmont, Lipscomb, Murray State, and UNC-Greensboro were also showing interest.

He is the Blue Raiders' first pledge in 2019.