Trio of Jackets could make splash at MSU
One is a seasoned wide receiver. One is a bright-eyed newcomer at linebacker. One is still a youngster on the defensive line.
All three are former Starkville High Yellowjackets, who could soon be making a big splash playing college football in their hometown.
Gabe Myles, Kobe Jones and Willie Gay are no strangers to having the Starkville spotlight on them. All three won state championships while at SHS. Now though, the stage is even bigger and the lights are even brighter as the trio suits up together in maroon and white in 2017.
All of this is nothing new for Myles. The wideout is entering his senior season and has had several highlights throughout his time as a Bulldog already. However, head coach Dan Mullen believes Myles, with just one year left, is playing with a sense of urgency that could lead to his best campaign yet.
“He is attacking the year and is desperate for his senior season,”
Mullen said of Myles. “I think a lot of guys get into their senior year and realize that there are a couple of months left and that could be the end of football.
“Gabe is a guy who has worked hard and realizes that desperate felling of ‘I have to finish my career the right way.’”
Myles has had ups and downs since joining the Bulldogs. As a redshirt freshman in 2014, Myles helped MSU ascend to the school’s first-ever No. 1 ranking. He caught
22 passes for 178 yards that season.
However Myles’ 2015 season got hampered by injury. He was hurt midseason, suffering an ankle injury, then missed three games.
Last season, Myles didn’t miss a game, but was plagued by drops and inconsistency and ended the year with only eight catches for 63 yards. This year though, Myles says he’s ready to shake off his rough 2016.
“My whole thing is just about having fun,” Myles said in the spring. “If I’m having fun, I’m not worried about anything else. Everything will come natural then. I’m not worried about the negatives. Now, it’s see the ball and catch the ball again. It’s my opportunity to go make a play.”
Early impressions in preseason camp are that Myles is indeed back to his playmaking ways. His fellow former Jackets are also catching coaches’ eyes.
After a redshirt year, Jones could see his first action on State’s defensive front this season. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham says that Jones’ work ethic is giving him a shot to do just that.
“Kobe has done a good job for us,” Grantham said. “He’s a high-energy guy. He works hard. He brings an edge to him when he plays. Certainly we’ll continue to work and develop him. We’re going to let him compete for playing time. He understands that challenge and I’ve been pleased with his performance. We like him and are glad he’s in our program.”
Jones and Gay might get the opportunity to make their Bulldog debuts at about the same time. Despite being a true freshman, Gay is trying to force his way onto the field. Mullen said the coaching staff is pushing Gay by letting him
play alongside older, more experienced players.
“He’s getting some great reps with the two defense,” Mullen said of Gay. “When you get some quality reps like that, a lot of times, especially as a younger player, your level of play is going to increase because of the guys around you.
“We want to see when you’re the top guy on the field with a lesser group, maybe you don’t perform quite as well, but we’re then going to put you with better players and they’re going to pick up your level of play all around you. (Gay) is getting quality reps with better players and I think that’s going
to help him constantly improve.”
There are obviously no guarantees in the game of football. Even with his experience, Myles isn’t assured of anything. He’ll have to prove he’s back to his old self to earn more opportunities to get the ball in his hands.
Likewise, Jones and Gay will have to earn the trust of coaches and teammates before Grantham fully unleashes them on defense.
Odds are though, there’s going to be a strong Starkville High flavor to MSU’s 2017 team, and to think, it all started just right down the road from campus.