Myles set to be a playmaker for MSU at any wideout spot

The Clarion-Ledger USA TODAY Sports

Outside of Fred Ross, Mississippi State’s record holder for receptions in a season, just three wide receivers who caught a pass last year return this season.

Donald Gray is expected to replace the downfield presence of De’Runnya Wilson while Malik Dear excites with his ability to make plays in the slot and out of the backfield.

Then, there’s junior Gabe Myles.

He finished with fewer yards than Gray or Dear but has more experience as he enters his redshirt junior season.

An ankle injury hampered Myles in his sophomore season. Myles led the team with three touchdowns through the first four games and was the only player to score through the air and on the ground.

The injury in Week 5 against Texas A&M limited Myles to 74 total yards the rest of the season, including 44 on one catch.

He’s healthy now but somewhat forgotten within the offense, at least on the outside of the program. Within it, Myles has worked to become a more versatile target. He spent the past two years as a slot receiver. This year, he moves outside.

“It has its highs and lows. Still, my thing is being more physical,” Myles said. “Some days it’s there. And other days I’ve gotta get back in that mold to where I have to be physical.”

At 6 feet tall, Myles isn’t MSU’s smallest receiver, but he’s not the biggest either. He reported to camp at 195 pounds, which he views as the most weight at which he can play efficiently.

“My thing is I play receiver. I’m not tall. I need to be able to play fast,” Myles said. “Whatever way I can play it, I’m going to play fast.”

His speed and playmaking ability forced coaches to move him from cornerback to wide receiver during his redshirt year as a freshman.

He caught 22 passes for 178 yards in his first season in 2014. Last year, he flashed more playmaking skills with 175 yards on 12 receptions.

Mississippi State will need that production after losing Wilson and Fred Brown, the team’s second- and third-leading wideouts from last year.

Although many expect big seasons from Gray and Dear, Myles should also play an important role in a Mississippi State offense trying to answer a lot of questions.

“The summer’s been good. It’s been a lot of work. That’s the main thing,” Myles said. “You want to put in as much work as you can in the summer. It played out for us.”