Bulldogs look to put up bigger numbers in 2019
It's been three years since Mississippi State has had a wide receiver that posted anything anywhere close to big numbers.
If the Bulldogs are to be better in the passing game in year two under head coach Joe Moorhead, that has to change in 2019.
Make no mistake about it, there is a ton of pressure on State's wide receivers to make improvements this year. Yes, MSU will need more consistent production and accuracy from whoever is its quarterback, but the Bulldog pass catchers must play their role as well.
This group has seen little success in recent seasons. No one the last two years has more than 440 yards receiving in a season. In 2017, State didn't have a single receiver in the top 40 in receiving yardage in the Southeastern Conference. In 2018, the Bulldogs had no one inside the top 30.
There is potential for that to change in 2019 for multiple reasons. For one, MSU'S three leading receivers from last year are back in the fold in the forms of Stephen Guidry, Osirus Mitchell and Deddrick Thomas.
Guidry came to Mississippi State prior to last season out of the junior college ranks with high expectations. He did lead MSU with 440 receiving yards a season ago, but there is belief his ceiling is higher. He'll look to try and help the Bulldogs stretch the field and create more big plays in 2019 along with help from fellow outside receiver Osirus Mitchell. Mitchell had the most receptions of any Bulldog last year. He caught 26 passes for 427 yards. Mitchell's career has been on a steady upward climb the last couple of years. If that trend continues for his upcoming junior season and Guidry takes a step forward too, Mississippi State might just find itself in really good shape at receiver.
Other returnees should play big roles too. Thomas should be a weapon in the slot, as should Austin Williams, who had 10 catches for 137 yards and three touchdowns as a redshirt freshman last year. Don't forget sophomore Devonta Jason either. He was a four-star receiver out of high school and though he caught only two passes for 42 yards last season, the promise is there for more.
The headliner of Mississippi State's receiving corps though might just be a player that wasn't around a year ago. MSU added graduate transfer receiver Isaiah Zuber from Kansas State. Zuber was Kansas State's primary receiving threat in 2018. He paced the Wildcats in multiple statistical categories including receiving yardage (619), receptions (52), touchdowns (five) and yards per game (51.6). Zuber's totals in those categories would have all easily been highs on last year's MSU team as well.
If Zuber can bring that production with him to Starkville and pair it with the possible improvement of MSU'S returnees, perhaps the Bulldogs will finally again have a group of receivers that opponents have to truly plan to stop.
That would be a welcome sight for Moorhead. As he looks to completely implement his offensive style, it's crucial that he have wideouts that can be relied on heavily.
(Editor’s Note: In the weeks leading up to Mississippi State football’s August 31 season opener, the Starkville Daily News is looking at the players at each position group likely to play key roles for the 2019 Bulldogs. The series continues today with the wide receiver position.)