STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University linebackers coach Geoff Collins walks into the meeting room for his position knowing he has a talented group.
The Bulldogs return two starters and a depth chart that features players who combined to make 28 starts last season. MSU also welcomes back senior Cameron Lawrence, the second-leading tackler in the Southeastern Conference.
Collins, who is in second year at MSU, said Saturday he knows that experience will play a key role for the Bulldogs’ defense this season.
“The nice thing is how much depth we have,” Collins said. “We go three deep right now, and it’s one wave of really good players after one wave of really good players.”
Collins feels seven or eight players could see significant playing time in the middle of the front seven.
“It’s just exciting to see, and it’s exciting to step into that room and you’ve got SEC (caliber) linebackers all throughout the room, (and) that’s fun to coach,” Collins said.
Redshirt freshman Benardrick McKinney is one of those impact newcomers. The Tunica native had an interception return for a touchdown Saturday morning at practice. McKinney, who was a quarterback as a senior at Rosa Fort High School, hopes his play-making abilities will help him earn playing time at middle linebacker.
“He stepped up at the mike position this season, which is a big position for us,” Lawrence said. “He’s making all the checks, all the right calls. He’s just making plays all the time.”
McKinney will battle sophomore Ferlando Bohanna at middle linebacker. Decisions about who will start at each position likely won’t be determined until later in fall camp after the players put on shoulder pads.
“We’re in pajamas,” MSU defensive coordinator Chris Wilson said. “To say anybody is ahead in pajamas would be self serving. We will find out who is really going play, once we get to run into each other in a couple days.”
Broomfield suffers shoulder injury in early workout
Senior defensive back Corey Broomfield injured his shoulder during drills and was removed from the practice. The three-year starter from Palm Bay, Fla., was treated, and then was seen at the end of practice with a red jersey on signifying he should receive no contact for the rest of the day.
MSU coach Dan Mullen wasn’t available after Saturday’s practices, and MSU officials declined to comment on Broomfield’s status, citing Mullen’s new policy not to speak about injuries or injured players.
Broomfield, who has nine interceptions at MSU, lined up at free safety early in practice. After being a consistent figure at cornerback, MSU’s depth at that position apparently has sparked interest in Wilson to move the 5-foot-10 defensive back to get him on the field with seniors Johnthan Banks and Darius Slay.
“You want your best corner covering their best player,” Wilson said, “so he’s going to be moved wherever he is needed. The best guy is going to follow the best (offensive) guy, so when people start thinking it’s about scheme, it’s about situational and matchup.”
Smith inactive Saturday, but will be ready for Sept. 1 opener
Senior offensive lineman Tobias Smith dressed Saturday but didn’t participate in drills as a precaution as he continues his comeback from torn ligaments in his left knee.
Blaine Clausell (left tackle), Gabe Jackson (left guard), Dillon Day (center), sophomore Ben Beckwith (right guard), and sophomore Damien Robinson (right tackle) made up the first-team offensive line. The group has 39 combined starts but none on the right side. Jackson, an Outland Trophy watch list nominee, has 26 of the starts.
“The chemistry is the one big thing that’s different with this offensive line,” said Clausell, a sophomore. “We know everybody’s strength and there’s a comfort there in knowing what the guy net to you is doing.”
Smith, a former Columbus High standout, is attempting to return from his third major surgery since arriving at MSU. Smith has played in 18 games for the Bulldogs, and physically cleared to compete in the spring.
“I can’t really think about injuries because if I think about them they’re going to come,” Smith said. “If it becomes a mental and physical deal then it’s a double negative.”
Smith described his status as “limited”, but he suggested he would be available for MSU’s season opener Sept. 1 against Jackson State.
“Last summer, I started to feel pretty good, and now I’m just limited in some things, but when it’s time to get back in the swing of things, they’ll have me ready to go,” Smith said. “If push came to shove, I would get in there because I’m able, but right now I’m just limited.”
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