Talented backfield available to Leach
Mississippi State is going to have to play catch up after missing the entire spring ahead of Mike Leach's first season in Starkville, but the Bulldogs are back to work in the weight room and going through summer workouts.
With its third coaching staff in the last four years, several Bulldog players will have to adjust yet again to a different style. The offense will have to implement the Air Raid and the defense a 3-3-5 alignment. It all makes for a hectic few months leading up to a football season that has already been in question.
Before the fall practices arrive later next month, it's time to start looking at where players might fall on the depth chart under Leach's direction. It's hard to map out some of it without the benefit of watching a spring under the new staff, but we'll do our best to navigate it and get the most accurate reading.
After studying the quarterback room and what's there, here is a look at a group that's ultra-talented and taking on a different role in Leach's offense.
Capturing the news in recent days regarding this group is star running back Kylin Hill's comments on Monday that he would not be playing for the Bulldogs this season as long as the current state flag is flying in Mississippi.
There was already a push for the flag to be removed in its current state over the last week, but that has continued to pressure the state legislature to make a move and make a move soon.
With Hill, the Bulldogs' offense under Leach is in a much better spot. The numbers in the Air Raid suggest that Hill probably won't be replicating his production from a year ago when he fell just short of breaking Anthony Dixon's' record for rushing in a season. However, Hill will be utilized and featured in the passing game like never before. His history as a receiver is well-documented having played wide out for some of his high school career and posting 44 career catches for 394 yards and five touchdowns.
Of course, this change is something that fans will have to get used to after Hill ran the ball 242 times a season ago and has racked up 2,477 yards and 16 touchdowns last year, but in many ways he will be utilized the same way if not more. This offense will take Hill our into the open field more instead of just in between the tackles or off the edge. It will allow him to use his ability to win one-on-one battles more and thus should be an even bigger issue for opposing defenses.
When Hill announced he was indeed returning to school after an All-southeastern Conference season last year, his position as a starter was locked up. That hasn't changed with the passing months. The only concern now is whether or not he will still play for the Bulldogs pending the state flag issue.
Just as the quarterbacks played out, the biggest question is who will be getting the reps behind Hill next season.
The most talented of the group behind Hill was the jewel of the 2020 signing class. Jo'quavious Marks comes to Mississippi State this season from one of the most talented spots in America for sports in Atlanta and Carver High School. He was one of MSU'S highest rated running backs ever ranked 11th nationally by 247Sports with a four-star rating.
The Bulldogs had to beat out offers from Auburn, Alabama, Wisconsin, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio State and many others to get his signature and now they're going to get the benefits of it. Marks has been in Starkville since the spring semester after enrolling early in January and he's been a part of the Bulldogs' strength program for several months.
The 5-10, 190-pound Marks