Mississippi State returns a team stacked with experience. Can it rise in SEC West?

Mississippi State receiver Austin Williams remembers sitting on the bus and ready. It was November 2020, and Mississippi State officers didn’t know in the event that they’d have sufficient out there gamers to face Georgia the subsequent day in Athens due to COVID-19 optimistic checks and get in touch with tracing. The variety of gamers allowed to decorate had dipped under 53, the brink for a staff to postpone or cancel a recreation. However these Bulldogs wished to face these Bulldogs. The buses rolled.

As skinny as Mississippi State was towards a roster that will make up the vast majority of the subsequent season’s nationwide title staff, it was a hell of a struggle between the hedges. The rating was tied at 24 till a Kearis Jackson landing catch with 9:50 remaining allowed Georgia an opportunity to flee the upset.

That efficiency infused Mississippi State — then one of many youngest groups within the SEC — with confidence that carried into 2021. That season, as tough because it was to navigate, set the desk for a depth chart in 2022 that appears extra like one from 1992.

Williams signed with Mississippi State in 2017. He performed one season for Dan Mullen and two seasons for Joe Moorhead. He’s getting into his third season enjoying for Mike Leach. He wouldn’t be there had the NCAA not issued a blanket waiver primarily declaring 2020 a free yr for eligibility functions. However he’s comfortable to remain so long as he can.

“I simply love enjoying for State,” stated Williams, who will likely be 24 when the season begins. “I’m in no rush to get out of right here.”

His teammates, a few of whom have spent their total careers in Starkville and a few of whom got here from elsewhere, appear to really feel the identical. Each participant in Mississippi State’s two-deep line of defense rotation will likely be both 21 or 22 when the season begins, and all have performed important snaps. For instance, defensive finish Randy Charlton noticed the sector at UCF in 2018 as a 17-year-old true freshman. He spent two extra seasons as a part-time starter for the Knights after which began 11 video games for the Bulldogs after transferring final yr.

Even the youthful gamers are outdated, no less than by way of expertise. Quarterback Will Rogers received the beginning job as a real freshman in the midst of that 2020 season and by no means let it go. In the meantime, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes — in all probability Mississippi State’s greatest prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft — began from day one in 2020 and supplied a superb complement for 2022 third-rounder Martin Emerson. The main candidate to interchange Emerson this season is third-year sophomore Decamerion Richardson, who spent the previous two seasons enjoying behind the All-SEC performer.

“With this COVID factor the way in which it labored out, it’s virtually like the way in which school soccer was once,” Mississippi State defensive coordinator Zach Arnett stated. “You deliver guys in, they play underneath the older guys. They bodily mature. They develop. After which it’s their time to shine.”

Age doesn’t assure something, particularly towards a schedule that features a number of the nation’s most bodily gifted rosters. However Leach, who had his greatest seasons at Texas Tech and Washington State close to the top of cycles that left him with an older roster, believes the consistency of efficiency a gaggle of skilled veterans can deliver — in follow and in video games — is likely one of the extra underrated benefits in soccer.

“It’s extremely worthwhile,” Leach stated. “It’s extra worthwhile than two flashy sophomores which can be going to go to the NFL. Let’s say simply the entrance. In case you have 4 seniors who’ve performed along with quite a few begins, that’s much more essential than two guys which can be going to get drafted within the first half.”

Offense

Except for Williams, who caught 95 passes for 989 yards and 7 touchdowns previously two seasons, Mississippi State’s receivers group just isn’t as outdated and skilled as the remainder of the roster. The Bulldogs must change Makai Polk, who transferred from Cal earlier than final season, caught 105 passes for 1,046 yards and 9 touchdowns after which left for the NFL.

The excellent news is that seven receivers who caught no less than 29 passes return, and Leach’s popularity for chucking the ball tends to attract transfers desirous to get focused. Jaden Walley caught 55 passes for 628 yards and 6 touchdowns final season. Senior Caleb Ducking may change a few of these catches Polk made on the skin, however so may redshirt freshman Antonio Harmon. Justin Robinson, a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder from McDonough, Ga., performed two seasons at Georgia earlier than transferring to Mississippi State. One other intriguing goal for Rogers is sophomore Rufus Harvey, a 5-10, 165-pound burner who may present yards after the catch from the slot.

The most important variations between a median Leach offense and a fantastic Leach offense are the quarterbacks’ potential to learn the receivers’ minds and the receivers’ potential to slide a sort out and switch a brief, ball-control throw into an even bigger achieve. What’s probably the most well-known play in Leach’s time as a head coach? Michael Crabtree’s landing catch to beat Texas in 2008. That play occurred as a result of Crabtree was gifted sufficient to make the catch and elude a sort out whereas holding himself from going out of bounds.

For Mississippi State to seek out success towards the higher defenses within the SEC, a few of these receivers are going to wish to show these simple 8-yard completions into 15- to 20-yard positive aspects. In 2021, Mississippi State averaged greater than 10 yards a catch solely 3 times (Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Tennessee State). The passing yardage numbers will all the time look sturdy as a result of Leach prefers throwing the ball to working it. Final yr, Mississippi State threw on 76.5 % of its offensive snaps. However a few of these throws act primarily as handoffs. To have an environment friendly, explosive offense, the receivers (and backs) who catch the ball can’t merely catch the ball and get tackled.

“You’ve acquired to be on the identical web page. It is a reps-based offense,” stated large receiver Austin Williams, who will likely be 24 when the season begins. (Matt Bush / USA At present)

Mississippi State didn’t have an explosive offense in 2021. The Bulldogs ranked No. 64 within the nation in yards per play (5.9). That quantity must climb above six for the Bulldogs to succeed towards the schedule they’ll face.

The excellent news is that Rogers has in depth expertise working with the backs and lots of the receivers. “You’ve acquired to be on the identical web page,” Williams stated. “It is a reps-based offense. Coach Leach’s playbook doesn’t look the most important, however there’s a ton of variability with what you are able to do inside every play. You want a ton of reps. You have to carry on stacking.”

Leach’s offense relies on the QB, backs and receivers having the ability to sight alter — pre- and post-snap — based mostly on the leverage (which facet they’re favoring) of the protection gamers and the protection scheme. Relying on the play and the way in which it’s defended, a receiver may have to discover a explicit piece of open grass. Rogers must know the place that receiver is meant to be, and each he and the receiver have to know that’s the receiver’s plan. Usually, this whole course of takes place with out communication. The concept is that QB and receiver have practiced it a lot that it turns into instinctual. It’s loads simpler for a third-year beginning QB to achieve that degree, so Rogers ought to know precisely the place his teammates will likely be on a given play.

The query is how a lot time Rogers must throw. The Bulldogs deliver again lots of expertise on the inside of the offensive line, however they need to change a first-round left sort out (Charles Cross) and a 12-game starter at proper sort out (Scott Lashley). Kameron Jones, who began at left guard final season, may slide into the correct sort out spot until redshirt freshman Albert Reese IV wins the job. If Jones performs sort out, it may enable Nick Jones or Cole Smith to take over at left guard. LaQuinston Sharp, a 23-year-old former JUCO switch getting into his third season as an everyday at Mississippi State, ought to anchor the road at middle. In the meantime, Center Tennessee State switch Steven Losoya may take over at one of many guard spots. The highest two candidates to interchange Cross are Kwatrivous “Dolla Invoice” Johnson, who began seven video games at proper guard final season, and large JUCO switch Percy Lewis (6-8, 345).

Key stat to know: Since turning into a head coach in 2000, Mike Leach has had a three-year beginning quarterback 3 times. (He has by no means had a four-year starter at QB as a head coach.) None of these groups with a three-year starter received fewer than 9 video games. Leach’s 2002 Texas Tech staff (Kliff Kingsbury) went 9-5. The 2008 Pink Raiders (Graham Harrell) went 11-2. Leach’s 2017 Washington State staff (Luke Falk) went 9-4.

Protection

Like Leach’s offense, Arnett’s 3-3-5 protection generally is a change-up for opponents. But in addition like Leach’s offense, the protection wants skilled gamers who perceive what everyone seems to be doing. Linebackers should understand how defensive linemen are slanting on a given play. Defensive backs should know who’s making use of the strain to allow them to alter their protection accordingly. Achieved appropriately, the protection can drive an opposing QB mad. However psychological errors that result in defenders being out of place can result in big positive aspects for the offense.

That’s why Arnett is so thrilled with the expertise he returns. You’ve seen how outdated the line of defense is. The linebackers are equally grizzled. Strongside Tyrus Wheat, a former juco switch, is in his fifth collegiate season. To understand simply how lengthy Wheat has been enjoying school soccer, contemplate this: He was solely a yr behind Alabama star DeVonta Smith at Amite (La.) Excessive. Smith performed 4 years in school and is getting into his second season as a Philadelphia Eagle. Weakside linebacker Jett Johnson, who barely performed his first three years in this system, broke out and led Mississippi State in tackles in 2021. Center linebacker Nathaniel “Bookie” Watson is one other fifth-year senior.

“With that chemistry and understanding one another, you get a really feel for understanding a man goes to be the place he’s presupposed to be,” Johnson stated. “You possibly can play with out hesitation, and the protection flows higher.”

Linebacker Jett Johnson, who led the Bulldogs in tackles in 2021 with 87, recovers a fumble by Kentucky working again Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Matt Bush / USA At present)

Watson and Johnson got here in collectively in 2018 and stood in awe of future first-rounders Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat. Now they’re the gamers the freshmen wish to emulate. However to remain that approach, they’ll want to enhance on a season the place Mississippi State completed No. 68 within the nation in yards per play allowed (5.6). The Bulldogs have to seem like the group that held NC State to 4.4 yards a play and never the one which allowed 7.9 yards a play to Alabama and seven.1 yards a play in a Liberty Bowl loss to Texas Tech.

To do this, the Bulldogs must remove the huge busts that result in large performs. Mississippi State didn’t quit lots of massive performs final season, however the massive performs the Bulldogs gave up had been big momentum-swinging positive aspects. The Bulldogs ranked a decent No. 18 within the nation in performs of 10 or extra yards allowed (148). However they ranked No. 101 in performs of 40-plus yards allowed (17) and No. 107 in performs of 50-plus yards allowed (10). Slicing these big-play numbers in half would make an enormous distinction in defensive efficiency.

Key stat to know: CB Emmanuel Forbes is the SEC’s energetic profession chief in interceptions (8). He’s additionally the FBS energetic profession chief in interceptions returned for touchdowns. All three of these got here throughout his freshman season in 2020.

Particular groups

“If I had kicked final yr, we’d have received two extra video games,” Leach joked. Or possibly he wasn’t joking. The Bulldogs missed all three of their area purpose makes an attempt in a 31-28 loss at Arkansas. They missed a 33-yarder in a 28-25 loss to LSU. They missed two in a 31-21 loss to Ole Miss.

In an try to repair this, Leach dipped into the switch portal. Out got here Massimo Biscardi, who made 46 of 57 area purpose makes an attempt in 4 seasons at Coastal Carolina. The Bulldogs additionally grabbed Ben Raybon, who made 13 of 21 area purpose makes an attempt in two seasons at Northern Colorado. The competitors between the 2 is anticipated to proceed by preseason camp.

Punter Archer Trafford got here to the Bulldogs from Air Drive final offseason and completed 2021 because the starter, however he’ll face competitors out of the portal. George Georgopoulos, a South Carolina native who began 4 seasons at UMass, dedicated to Mississippi State in April and is anticipated to reach in June.

Coach Mike Leach (middle) appears to be like on alongside defensive coordinator Zach Arnett (proper) throughout final season’s recreation towards Auburn. (Joe Robbins / Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)

Opposing scouting report

A coach who confronted the Bulldogs final season defined that Mississippi State’s schemes on each side of the ball require extra intense preparation than extra typical offenses and defenses.

“With Leach’s offense, there are parallels to defending the triple choice,” the coach stated. “You actually have a ball-possession offense that’s all the time going to have a solution for what you’re attempting to do to defend it. It’s not you are taking one thing away and it’s over. There’s all the time going to be a counterpunch.”

These counterpunches typically come within the type of checks made on the line of scrimmage. “They’re delicate,” the coach stated. “It’s route changes based mostly off leverage and protection that give the quarterback an excellent play. And the routes are establishing in uncovered areas. Should you’re in man, you’re going to get the routes that reach by and race to the opposite facet of the sector. Should you’re in zone, they’ll sit down within the delicate spots. That permits them to be rhythmic and keep on schedule.” In different phrases, get the QB on the bottom earlier than he can throw to knock the offense off schedule or get the receiver on the bottom when he catches the ball to offer the protection one other likelihood to drive a punt. As a result of passes will get accomplished.

The coach was impressed with Rogers. “Towards us, it felt like he was all the time getting the ball in the correct place on the proper time,” the coach stated. “He appeared to have a reasonably good command of what they had been attempting to do.”

The coach stated Arnett’s protection can be distinctive. “They’re not going to be in the identical place twice. There are a number of pressures, a number of leverage adjustments. They will shut areas rapidly.”

However as a result of the protection strikes round a lot, it’s additionally potential to generally catch the Bulldogs both shifting away from the purpose of assault or out of place as a result of somebody was aligned improperly.

“You possibly can catch them in some actions at occasions and hit some runs,” the coach stated. “Texas Tech did that to them within the bowl recreation. They had been in a position to hit a couple of after which tempo them. However once they’re dictating phrases, it’s actually irritating.”

How the Bulldogs have recruited from 2019-22

Leach can thank Mullen and Moorhead for fairly a couple of of his main contributors. Like Williams, a few of these gamers wish to keep so long as they’ll. Johnson dedicated to the Mullen employees and signed in Moorhead’s first-class. Ditto for Watson, Johnson and defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy.

In Moorhead’s first full-cycle class, the three highest-rated recruits had been Cross (No. 27 within the nation), defensive sort out Nathan Pickering (No. 73 within the nation) and defensive finish De’Monte Russell (No. 182 within the nation). Cross — the one five-star participant Mississippi State signed throughout these cycles — was a three-year starter and a first-rounder, and Pickering and Russell are multiyear starters.

The 2 highest-rated signees in 2020 — who signed in December 2019 earlier than Moorhead was fired — had been tailback Jo’quavious Marks (No. 138 within the nation) and Forbes (No. 186 within the nation). Each contributed instantly. Forbes ought to be Mississippi State’s greatest total participant in 2022.

That class additionally included Dillon Johnson, who splits carries (and catches) with Marks. Walley, Wheat and Richardson additionally signed in 2020.

The lessons of 2021 and 2022 must struggle to get on the sector this season. If lots of these youthful gamers do wind up enjoying, it’s both as a result of they beat out an skilled veteran or a disastrous rash of accidents struck.

Within the switch portal

The Bulldogs didn’t lose lots of contributors to the portal. The most efficient participant they misplaced was linebacker Aaron Brule, who transferred to Michigan State. That’s a best-for-both-parties state of affairs. Brule is nice sufficient to begin at lots of locations, and he ought to be a welcome addition to teach Mel Tucker’s Spartans. He merely misplaced his spot to Johnson, whose large enchancment between 2020 and 2021 turned him into one of many staff’s greatest gamers.

Receiver Malik Heath caught 34 passes for 442 yards and 5 touchdowns final season for the Bulldogs. Then he made historical past by turning into the primary participant to switch from Mississippi State to Egg Bowl rival Ole Miss.

The most important contribution the Bulldogs may get from the portal is at kicker. If both Biscardi or Raybon turns into a constant area purpose risk this season, it may enhance the Bulldogs dramatically.

Of the place gamers, Robinson and Losoya appear the most certainly to play important snaps this season. With so many returning veterans, the Bulldogs merely didn’t have many open positions.

Impression of teaching adjustments

Not a lot has modified on the teaching employees since Leach arrived. The group that got here with him to Starkville is nearly utterly intact.

Inside receivers coach Dave Nichol left this offseason to affix Lincoln Riley’s employees at USC. Sadly, Nichol handed away in March at age 45.

When Nichol left, Leach promoted analyst Drew Hollingshead to inside receivers coach. Hollingshead has been with Leach since Washington State, so Bulldogs gamers had been already aware of him.

Schedule

DATE	TEAM	SITE
Sept. 3		Residence Advertisement
Sept. 10		Away
Sept. 17		Away
Sept. 24 Advertisement		Residence
Oct. 1		Residence
Oct. 8		Residence Advertisement
Oct. 15		Away
Oct. 22		Away
Nov. 5 Advertisement		Residence
Nov. 12		Residence
Nov. 19	East Tennessee State	Residence
Nov. 24 Advertisement		Away

Last evaluation

The Bulldogs have each motive to be optimistic as a result of historical past says when Leach has an outdated staff, he has an excellent staff. However right here’s the issue: The schedule is brutal. The SEC West is the SEC West, however Mississippi State additionally should swap Vanderbilt for Georgia in its rotating East Division spot.

Memphis involves Starkville to open the season, and that received’t be simple. Mississippi State ought to win on a visit to Arizona in Week 2, however second-year Wildcats coach Jedd Fisch has dramatically improved that roster.

In the meantime, LSU has employed Brian Kelly. Texas A&M has signed the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class. And Alabama continues to be Alabama.

Like final season, the Bulldogs ought to be capable to shock some groups. They received at Texas A&M and staged a comeback for the ages at Auburn in 2021. They’ll be able to profitable as an underdog once more in 2022. But when the Bulldogs wish to end with a greater file than they did in 2021, they’ll have to seek out methods to win video games like those they misplaced towards LSU, Memphis and Arkansas. As a result of towards this slate, a staff can’t afford to offer away video games it ought to win.

Editor’s notice: That is a part of a sequence previewing Energy 5 and prime Group of 5 groups for the 2022 school soccer season.

(Prime picture of Will Rogers and Mike Leach: John Amis / Related Press)