MSU’s Landrews to make most of chance
STARKVILLE – Jaquarius Landrews looked up into the seats at Davis Wade Stadium on Oct. 6 and saw a rare sight. He smiled and waved, trying his best to stay in the moment.
Landrews’ father and stepmother looked down at him. They were in attendance for the first time all season to watch the junior safety play in the most important game of his Mississippi State career.
Landrews has been on campus for nearly two calendar years after enrolling in January 2017. The Bulldogs’ game against Auburn marked his first opportunity to start. His journey in Starkville to that point was a strenuous one.
“The process, it was crazy. I really didn’t think I was going to get redshirted last year,” Landrews said. “But looking back, I appreciated getting redshirted. It humbled me and helped me get to this point.”
Sitting out an entire season certainly is humbling, but so is losing a position battle. Junior Brian Cole beat Landrews out for the starting nod at nickel safety during an offseason competition.
“I thought I was going to be the one,” Landrews said.
Cole has been the one for much of the season.
Then he went down with a right shoulder injury leading into the Auburn game, giving Landrews the opportunity he’s been waiting for.
Landrews logged three tackles and a defended pass in State’s 23-9 victory over then-No. 8 Auburn. Cole is still dayto-day with his ailment. Until his return, Landrews remains the starter at “star” safety, as defensive coordinator Bob Shoop calls it.
“We’re all very confident in (Landrews),” Shoop said. “He went in and I’m sure he was a little nervous. I wouldn’t say he was extremely productive, but he did his job and did it well.”
Landrews admitted that he was shaky at the start. But he said he settled in as the game went on. Even more reassuring to Landrews is what Shoop has said about him over the last few weeks.
Shoop said the battle between Cole and Landrews was “neck and neck” until Cole had a more productive fall camp. If Landrews becomes a star at “star” safety, Shoop said nobody should be surprised.
“It makes me even more comfortable that my coach believes in me,” Landrews said. “I can go out there and perform at the same level the starter was performing.”