Older group looks to fill void
Mississippi State is going to have to play catch up after missing the entire spring ahead of Mike Leach’s first season as head coach 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.
An older group of offensive lineman have to fill a couple of voids and some adjustments will have to be made with Leach at the helm.
Good spot up front
MSU is in a good spot on the offensive line as they transition to the Air Raid offense and offensive line coach Mason Miller, but the Bulldogs will have some moving around to do up front.
The good news is that the
Bulldogs could have three seniors starting up front if things fall right and the freshman that is likely to get the nod at left tackle is a five-star talent.
That freshman is Charles Cross, who is MSU’S highest rated lineman recruit ever. Cross is hovering around 280 pounds or so right now so for most he would be considered thin for a Southeastern Conference tackle. That’s until you consider Cross’ footwork, his length and his hands that make him an elite level pass protector and a perfect fit for the Air Raid.
Miller has already commented publicly about how impressed he is with Cross and it would be a surprise not to see him already taking over as the starter at the blindside for game one, but, he does have some solid competition at tackle.
Sophomore Kwatrivous Johnson appears ready to compete at either of the tackle spots and should be able to step in wherever he’s needed. He’s a much different build than Cross standing 6-7, 330 pounds, but he has deceptive athleticism for his size. Johnson could be a good swing tackle for MSU this season to fill in whichever side might need him.
On the right side of the line, Greg Eiland is looking to close things out strong at right tackle and should be the starter there. Eiland has started games in his first three seasons at either left or right tackle and has as much experience as anyone on the line. He seemed much more natural last year when he was on the right side and was trading time with Tommy Champion and Stewart Reese. This year, that should be his spot.
Behind him will be junior Cordavien Suggs who should see an increase in reps if Johnson isn’t the number two. The Bulldogs also signed three offensive tackles in the signing class last year with instate big men Calvin Mcmillan and Grant Jackson. Both are expected to redshirt this year unless something has gone terribly wrong injury wise.
MSU also signed a transfer tackle in Scott Lashley from West Point, who spent the last four years at Alabama after spurning the Bulldogs out of high school. Playing time was limited for Lashley with the Crimson Tide, but he did win SEC and National Championships and was a part of one of the best programs in college football history.
With the loss of Reese to a graduate transfer to his home state and the Florida Gators, Lashley appears to be moving inside to right guard where he should fit well in this scheme. He’s 6-7, 310 pounds with good enough feet and length that he should be a natural fit in the Air Raid. This is also Lashley’s shot of getting to the National Football
League and he has a chance with a big season to jump on the radar.
The question, however, is what happens with Laquinston Sharp. Last year, Sharp played several different positions to fill in for injured players. He played center in the opening game of the season when the Bulldogs got in a pinch and that’s still a possibility. For now, we’ll list him among the guards and he and Lashley will battle things out there until further notice.
Sophomore Starkville native Kameron Jones will be behind those players. Jones redshirted his first year and he didn’t play last year either. He’s 6-5, 325 with ability to be a player in this offense and he’ll get a chance to compete in fall camp. MSU also has redshirt freshman Brandon Cunningham that will soon be pushing for reps and he has some good size and ability to play in
to do an outstanding job.”
Graham said he felt the need to provide a clinic where the coaches could get together before the season and talk about the issues they all have because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Since the state coaches clinic was held virtually, Graham wanted something where the
coaches could meet face to face and thought the facility at Winona Christian was a good place to have it.
“I think it’s important to get our coaches together, let them talk football and fellowship,” Graham said. “It’s amazing the healing power athletics has and the influence that coaches have in their community.
“We have a really nice facility here to do it at Winona Christian. We have chair back seating in our gymnasium. If there is a large crowd, we still have the ability to social distance because of the size of our gymnasium. It’s air-conditioned and has a top-notch sound system. We have a town that has enough (restaurants) in it that we’ll let those guys have lunch on their own then come back and start the afternoon session.”
There is no charge for the clinic. For anyone interested, message Graham on Twitter at Juniorgraham 18, go to his Facebook page, email him at jrpatriiot65@gmail. com or call 662-552-8322.