STARKVILLE — Every year has been a learning process for J.T. Gray.
The Mississippi State football linebacker arrived on the MSU campus in the summer of 2014. Geoff Collins was the defensive coordinator at the time and he began to learn from him, trying to get used to Collins’ expectations and his coaching style. But Collins left for Florida after the season.
MSU coach Dan Mullen then hired Manny Diaz and Gray had to go through the process again of figuring out his new defensive coordinator. But like Collins, Diaz left, heading to Miami. Mullen hired former Southern California coach Peter Sirmon to take over the defense.
Like the his first two years, Gray had to learn a new defensive coordinator and get used to his terminology and his expectations. Unlike the first two, Sirmon brought in new positions for the linebackers, including a viper and star. Gray has found a role in the star position and has thrived. Gray and MSU (4-7, 2-5 Southeastern Conference) play in-state rival Ole Miss (5-6, 2-5) 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford in the Battle for the Golden Egg.
“I fit really good in it because I’m versatile,” Gray said of the star. “I can play the run, I can play the pass and I can cover guys out in space.”
Gray is third on the team with 62 tackles (7.5 for loss), a sack and two quarterback hurries. After not having a tackle for loss in back-to-back games against Samford and Texas A&M, Gray has recorded three in the last two games (one against Alabama and two against Arkansas).
Gray has started nine of 11 games at the star position, with senior DeAndre Ward drawing the start at UMass on Sept. 24 and at Alabama on Nov. 12. Ward has 50 tackles (4.0 for loss), a sack and one interception.
Sirmon felt like Gray and Ward were going to have big years from a production standpoint because of the position they play.
“I think J.T. has had a very fine year,” Sirmon said. “Both J.T. and Dre in terms of production are probably the two of the most productive guys we’ve had on defense and from consistency. Dre has been very, very consistent and J.T. is doing a great job in terms of productivity.
“Both of them are versatile guys so we’ve been fortunate having those guys with those skill sets. They’ve proved to be valuable, it’s allowed us to play some base and not sub in some packages and still feel we have a shot.”
MSU was planning to redshirt Gray in 2014, but after sitting out the first seven games, he played in the final six. He had nine tackles and was named to the Freshman All-SEC team.
Gray had 65 tackles (3.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks last season.
“I think I’ve progressed really well, on and off the field,” Gray said. “Looking at my keys and just seeing different things on the field every year.”
Senior Richie Brown, who leads the team with 89 tackles, will be missed from a leadership standpoint next year. But MSU coach Dan Mullen believes Gray and fellow junior linebacker Dez Harris have the potential to take over as that leader.
“I expect them to continue to progress,” Mullen said. “They’re the leaders of the future, they’re the leaders for us for next year, so we need those guys to step up and be ready to be leaders next year.”
Brown agreed that Gray has the potential to handle the leadership role next year and expects him to take on the challenge.
During his three years with the team, Gray has watched leaders such as Brown, A.J. Jefferson and Benardrick McKinney. He said he watched quietly because he wants to be a leader on his own terms, but he has taken some of their leadership qualities and plans to implement it into his plan.
He has gotten inspiration from former Baltimore Raven linebacker Ray Lewis and that’s who he plans to emulate as a leader and as a player.
“He never gives up,” Gray said. “He’s always sideline to sideline to the ball on the field. Everybody looks up to him and he’s always got inspiring words to say.”
Although the defense has not lived up to Gray’s expectations allowing 34.3 points and 455.2 yards of offense per game, Gray has liked his new defensive coordinator.
“I’ve been blessed that he’s given me an opportunity to showcase my skills even more from where I have been to where I am now,” Gray 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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