2021 CFP SEASON PREVIEW AUTUMN 11

MISSISSIPPI STATE
#6 SEC WEST: CONF 3-7, HOME 2-3, AWAY 1-4, BOWL: W
Head Coach: Mike Leach (2) OC: Mike Leach DC: Zach Arnett (2)
OFFENSE:
QB: Lost KJ Costello (1283 YDS, 6 TD, 11 INT) to the NFL Draft. Returns Will Rogers (1976 YDS, 11 TD, 7 INT) who took over for KJ
Costello part way into 2020. Jack Abraham (1224 YDS, 7 TD, 4 INT) transferred in from Southern Miss and should be a quality
backup if he can match his level of play at USM. Chance Lovertich (619 YDS, 5 TD, 2 INT) transferred in from South Alabama.
Freshman 6’4 Sawyer Robertson is a 4-star recruit.
RB: Lost Kylin Hill (58 YDS rushing, 237 YDS, 1 TD receiving) to the NFL. Returns Jo’Quavious Marks (312 YDS, 3 TD rushing, 268
YDS receiving) who led the team in receptions (60) last season. Dillon Johnson (225 YDS, 4 TD rushing, 157 YDS receiving) should
work his way into playing time next to Marks. Leach is not trying to run the ball but ranking dead last in the FBS in rushing yards
per game needs to improve.
WR: Lost Osirus Mitchell (505 YDS, 4 TD) to the NFL. JaVonta Payton (225 YDS, 1 TD) transferred to Tennessee. 6’5 240lb
Geor’quarius Spivey (121 YDS) transferred to TCU. Cameron Gardner (117 YDS) transferred to Montana State. Tyrell Shavers
(107 YDS) transferred to San Diego State. Returns Jaden Walley (718 YDS, 2 TD), 6’3 Austin Williams (372 YDS, 3 TD) and 6’3
Malik Heath (307 YDS, 3 TD), Lideatrick Griffin (61 YDS, 1 TD) and 6’5 Brad Cumbest (12 YDS, 1 TD). Jamire Calvin (183 YDS, 1 TD
in 4 games in 2020) transferred in from Washington State to reunite with Leach. Under Leach, Jamire Calvin had 797 YDS and 4
TDs in 26 games. 6’3 Makai Polk (183 YDS, 1 TD in 4 games) transferred in from Cal. 6’5 Caleb Ducking joined the team from
JUCO. Tight end is not a listed position on the roster for MSU.
OL: Lost Dareuan Parker to the NFL. Returning linemen combine for 37 career starts. Starters will likely be 310lb LT Charles
Cross who was a 5-star of the 2020 class, 300lb LG LaQuinston Sharp, 305lb Center Cole Smith, 320lb RG Kwatrivous Johnson,
315lb RT Scott Lashley or 305lb Kameron Jones.
DEFENSE:
DL: Lost DE Marquiss Spencer (32 TOT, 3 sacks, 1 INT) and DE Kobe Jones (30 TOT, 2 sacks) to the NFL. Returns 310lb DT Jaden
Crumedy (32 TOT, 2 sacks), DE Jordan Davis (22 TOT), DE Aaron Odom (18 TOT, 2 sacks), 300lb Nathan Pickering (15 TOT, 2
sacks), 310lb DT Cameron Young (13 TOT, 1 sack) and DE Jack Harris (10 TOT). DE Randy Charlton (18 TOT, 2 sacks) transferred
in from UCF.
LB: Lost leading tackler ILB Erroll Thompson (96 TOT, 3 sacks, 1 INT) to the NFL. Returns Aaron Brule (76 TOT, 4 sacks), Nathaniel
Watson (39 TOT), Tyrus Wheat (30 TOT, 5 sacks, 1 INT) and Jett Johnson (3 TOT).
SF: Lost Marcus Murphy (34 TOT) to the NFL. Returns Shawn Preston (65 TOT), Londyn Craft (57 TOT), Collin Duncan (46 TOT, 2
INT), Fred Peters (20 TOT) and Landon Guidry (12 TOT). Jalen Green (14 TOT, 1 INT) transferred in from Texas.
CB: Returns 6’2 Martin Emerson (72 TOT), Emmanuel Forbes (44 TOT, 5 INT), Esaias Furdge (14 TOT, 1 INT) and Jay Jimison (5
TOT).
SPECIAL TEAMS:
KR: Returns Brandon Ruiz (10/12 FG) who also kicked off. Backup kicker Jace Christmann (5/5 PAT) transferred to Florida.
PR: Returns punter Tucker Day (42.9 YD AVG).
SPIN
Starkville, MS - One of four SEC teams that return their starting QB and offensive
coordinator. The Bulldogs had the second most outgoing transfers (15) in the SEC.
Returning production is good, with 8 starters back on offense and defense.
Quarterback play needs to be top notch since most teams will once again rush three
and drop eight into coverage against the air raid offense. The air raid only averaged
21.4 PPG (19 th lowest in FBS), only 19.1 not including LSU week 1, and the ground
game was the worst in the FBS with (43.9 YDS/G). The first 3 non-conference games
will be a challenge- LA Tech, NC State, at Memphis. Follow those games up with
consecutive games vs LSU, at Texas A&M, Alabama and the schedule is not
favorable. However, drawing Vanderbilt and Kentucky from the East is about as
generous as it gets. This year might be a last place finish in the West Division for the
MSU Bulldogs.
Twitter @Autumn_Eleven