STARKVILLE — Football is upon us, at least for the time being.
While it remains to be seen whether the Southeastern Conference and its compatriots in the Big 12 and ACC actually begin, let alone finish, the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Mississippi State is slated to begin fall camp Monday as it prepares for its 10 game, conference-only slate.
Here’s three major matchups to watch as the Bulldogs open camp:
Who gets the nod at cornerback?
MSU has a number of needs on the defensive side of the ball, but there’s perhaps no position thinner than cornerback.
With Cameron Dantzler off to the NFL and Jarrian Jones’ transfer to Florida State, the Bulldogs are left with just senior Tyler Williams and sophomore Martin Emerson as experienced pieces returning.
Emerson showed ample gusto in his first season at MSU and those around the program are high on his long-term upside given his 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. Named an Honorable Mention All-American by Pro Football Focus last season, Emerson will be asked to grow up quickly in 2020.
Other names to watch in the battle for playing time at cornerback include one-time UMass transfer Malik Sanders, who didn’t see any game action last fall but could be called upon as a senior. Late addition Decamerion Richardson skyrocketed up recruiting boards in the tail end of the 2020 cycle and could also find the field as a freshman.
Who will MSU trot out at kicker?
Unlike cornerback, MSU actually has two experienced options to go with at kicker.
Senior Jace Christman converted 8-for-10 field goals and 39-for-40 extra points last season and previously earned Freshman All-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America and was named to the SEC All-Freshman team in 2017.
And while Christman has been steady throughout his Bulldog career, he’ll get ample competition from Arizona State transfer Brandon Ruiz. In three years with the Sun Devils, Ruiz converted 39 field goals — good for eighth in school history — and 92-straight PATs. He was also named to the Lou Groza Preseason Award Watch List in 2019.
With a new regime in town and coaches still feeling out what they’ve got in Starkville, it’s unclear whether Christman’s job is totally in jeopardy. That said, Ruiz is as experienced as they come at the college level and should push the incumbent Christman given he’s a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility left.
K.J. Costello is QB1, who’s next?
K.J. Costello has one year of eligibility left and NFL aspirations in tow. As has been the case for previous graduate transfer quarterbacks who’ve teamed with head coach Mike Leach, it’s expected the Stanford import will start under center for the Bulldogs in 2020. Behind him, it’s anyone’s guess.
Sophomore Garrett Shrader proved effective and athletic while trading time with Penn State transfer Tommy Stevens last season in former coach Joe Moorhead’s RPO-style offense. However, Shrader’s 57.5 completion percentage won’t cut it in Leach’s air raid offense.
Jalen Mayden came to MSU as a highly-touted dual threat quarterback out of Sachse, Texas, but hasn’t received much of a shot to thrive in Starkville. Mayden’s high school coach, Red Behrens, spoke highly of his arm talent and ability to stretch plays in recent weeks and he showed flashes of effectiveness in last year’s spring game. With a new staff in place, Mayden may finally get his shot.
Finally, there’s freshman Will Rogers, who Leach recruited when he was previously the head coach at Washington State. Coming from Brandon High School — the same program that produced prolific Cougar passed Gardner Minshew — Rogers is already familiar with Leach’s offense and is a name worth watching this year and beyond.
Shrader is far and away the most experienced backup on the roster, but his accuracy numbers leave plenty to be desired. Rogers arrived on campus and did get to practice in bowl game prep last fall and his familiarity with Leach could give him a leg up, while Mayden is a talented passer that may turn some heads if given the opportunity.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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