STARKVILLE — Jamoral Graham thought offense was where he was going to fit in when he signed with the Mississippi State football team in February 2014.
The Newton County High School standout was a reserve wideout in his first season at MSU. He also was used as a punt returner on special teams.
But his time with the offense ended after his freshman season. Last spring, he began the transition to cornerback.
“It’s been a journey,” said Graham, now a junior. “It’s a big change coming from receiver to DB because you go from running routes to holding other receivers. I’m coming along. I’m just trying to learn from (Cedric) Jiles, Tolando (Cleveland), (cornerbacks coach Terrell) Buckley, and (defensive coordinator Peter) Sirmon.”
The transition hasn’t always been easy for Graham. After learning a new position in the spring, Graham played in 12 of the 13 games in 2015. He hopes to be a bigger part of the position group when MSU plays host to South Alabama at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 (SEC Network), at Davis Wade Stadium.
Graham learned quickly under coach Deshea Townsend last
season. But Townsend left for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and former Louisville coach Terrell Buckley was hired to replace him. Buckley played 14 seasons in the NFL and had 50 interceptions. The Pascagoula native attended Florida State and won the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the top defensive back, in 1991.
“I didn’t start good when I first made the change, but after a while I came along,” Graham said. “Coach Buck, he taught us a couple of techniques. I got with Tolando and Ced and they taught me a couple of things, late-night studying and just a couple of tips. I think I’m doing pretty good.”
After making five catches for 78 yards and one touchdown and returning 14 punts for 67 yards as a freshman, Graham had 21 tackles as a sophomore.
“He’s working real well,” Buckley said. “He’s trying to learn how to be that guy. A lot of times a player will have these dreams, ‘I want to be a great player.’ I think Jamoral is starting to understand that and put it together.”
Graham praised Buckley’s coaching style and feels like he can relate to him. He said Buckley has been coaching him hard and staying on him, but he welcomes the tough love because it has made him better.
MSU had one of the best cornerback duos last season, but starters Taveze Calhoun and Will Redmond graduated. Redmond suffered a season-ending injury midway through his final year. The injury allowed Cleveland to become the starter.
Graham played some cornerback and safety in high school, but he was a fixture at running back, wide receiver, and quarterback. He doesn’t lack for confidence and is one of the more vocal Bulldogs.
MSU coach Dan Mullen likes that confidence and feels like Graham’s attitude is a great fit at cornerback.
“He’s coming along nicely, starting to make plays, starting to be more consistent,” Mullen said. “As we told our guys, especially young guys, it’s a huge transition from being a playmaker to being a consistent player. There’s a massive difference between the two, so what you have to do is be a consistent player that has the ability to make great plays. The sooner guys learn that the sooner they’re going to become starters.”
Playing wide receiver has helped Graham’s transition. He knows how a receiver thinks and understands routes from their perspectives, but he doesn’t want to anticipate.
“You can try to guess, but playing corner it’s all about instincts and being an athlete,” Graham said. “It’s all about the way you’ve been coached and the things you’ve been practicing.”
When Graham made the switch, the biggest obstacle wasn’t developing a mind-set or putting the offensive traits he learned behind him. Junior Donald Gray turned out to be Graham’s toughest obstacle. He said trying to hold on to the 5-foot-10, 204-pound wide receiver was a wakeup call.
But the 5-10, 183-pound Graham has settled in nicely. With turnover at cornerback, he could get more playing time.
“I’m feeling like I’m in the rotation, which I am,” Graham said. “I just have to keep playing, following behind my seniors, and keep staying committed to what we’ve got going on.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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