STARKVILLE — In relation to positions where playing time is up for grabs, Dan Mullen has no starting points to offer. Before Mullen’s Mississippi State football program took the field for its first preseason practice Tuesday, he referred to the same line in addressing multiple starting roles that are to be determined.
“We’ll find out today.”
Mullen went to the line for both the offensive line and the kick/punt return positions at the team’s media day. On the offensive line, Martinas Rankin returns and, if the open periods of Tuesday’s practice are any indication, moves back to his native left tackle after practicing in the spring at center. Elgton Jenkins also returns but moves from left guard to center. MSU is left to fill holes at left guard, right guard and right tackle, but MSU offensive line coach John Hevesy is trusting Jenkins to anchor the new pieces.
“He’s got a great knowledge of the game and he’s a great communicator, he loves to talk,” Hevesy said, adding the position won’t be new to Jenkins; he practiced there before last year’s St. Petersburg Bowl.
In Tuesday’s practice, sophomore Darryl Williams was manning first-team left guard, junior Deion Calhoun was the right guard and redshirt freshman Stewart Reese was the right tackle. Mullen trusts Jenkins’ ability to serve as a veteran presence for them all, since he’s been in their shoes.
“I think his versatility in what he brings to the table. He’s a guy that’s played tackle, played guard for us,” Mullen said. “He’s a veteran player and a pretty smart guy that can get us in all the right calls at the line.”
Even with that combination beginning the first practice as the first team, Hevesy is far from setting anything in stone for Sept. 2’s season opener against Charleston Southern. Hevesy said he will continue to stick by his rule of working to have at least eight offensive linemen prepared to play in every game, in case they are needed.
Another offensive position battle will take place in the wide receiver room, where Fred Ross’ graduation leaves MSU without its leader in all significant statistical categories. Mullen is pointing a pair of seniors, Gabe Myles and particularly Donald Gray, as the next men up.
“I think Donald understands he’s the guy that setting the bar, and where he sets the bar is probably the maximum we’ll achieve this year,” Mullen said. “Young players can look up to him and see this is what’s expected of them and this is how high they can take it.
“I’d love for a young guy to see that and take over that leadership, that’d be great for the future.”
The youth in the position group is made up of sophomores Deddrick Thomas, Jamal Couch, Keith Mixon and a pair of freshman, Reggie Todd and Austin Williams.
The defensive line is another spot where inexperienced players — at least inexperienced in the FBS — are poised for playing time spikes. MSU added a trio of junior college transfers at the position — Chauncey Rivers, Lee Autry and Montez Sweat — and Grantham expects all of them and more to see the field.
“I think you have to play a lot of guys up front. We’re going to play a lot of players up front and rotate guys in, and as you do that,” Grantham said, “I think you can ease guys in that haven’t played much before into the game. They get a little feel, get a little taste and come back out. We’ll certainly take the young guys that have shown the ability to perform for us and find ways to get them into the game.”
Other factors at the position of the non-JUCO variety include Starkville native Kobe Jones, sophomore Kendell Jones and freshman James Jackson.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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