STARKVILLE — Johnathan Calvin has been a defensive lineman for most of his football career.
The Mississippi State senior played at that position at Provine High School and at Murray High, where he played as a junior and as a senior. He then played defensive end at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.
Calvin signed with MSU in July 2014 and played in all 13 games last season, drawing one start (Belk Bowl against North Carolina State).
But Calvin had a thought this spring.
“I actually asked them (to be moved to linebacker) before they moved me. But Will (Coleman) ended up going down,” Calvin said.
Calvin’s request seemed out of reach when he saw Coleman, who has yet to play this season, suffer a back injury. But first-year defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon granted Calvin’s request.
In Sirmon’s scheme, there is the “viper” position, a defensive end that drops back as a linebacker. Through four games, Calvin has proven to be a perfect fit. The 6-foot-3, 272-pounder is coming off arguably his best game of the season Saturday in a 47-35 victory against Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Calvin had nine tackles (two for loss), one-half sack, and his first-career interception
Calvin will try to deliver a similar effort when MSU (2-2, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) plays host to Auburn (2-2, 1-1) at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 (SEC Network) at Davis Wade Stadium.
Calvin said he only had played at linebacker a few times in seven-on-seven games. That didn’t stop him from thinking he could play the position.
“I weighed like 276, but being compared to the other guys, I looked like I was about 250, 260,” Calvin said. “I played basketball, so I know I could move. I played seven on seven, so I would go out and play around with the skill guys just like I was one of them. I knew I could play it.”
The Jackson native has 19 tackles (four for loss), one-and-a-half sacks, one interception, one pass defended, and one fumble recovery. Calvin had 27 tackles (five-and-a-half for loss) last season.
Senior middle linebacker Richie Brown, who has a team-high 28 tackles, is the leader of the defense. Brown has used his experience to help the Bulldogs transition from former defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, who took the same job at Miami, to Sirmon and his 3-4 base defense. MSU uses multiple schemes to confuse opposing offenses, but the “viper” position brings a different look that Brown feels Calvin has embraced.
“He’s doing a heck of a job,” Brown said. “He’s a big guy who’s very athletic and fast, so I think he’s perfect for that position. He’s done a really good job.”
Calvin’s interception came with 2 minutes, 15 seconds remaining to dash any hopes UMass had of winning.
“I had a good game, but I could have done better, like from a pass rush standpoint,” Calvin said. “I love getting to the quarterback, but I hate seeing the quarterback make plays.”
Calvin hopes to build on his performance against UMass and to continue to reward Sirmon for the faith he showed in him by giving him a chance to be a “viper.”
“I guess it gives me more opportunities to make plays and I’m athletic,” Calvin said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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