STARKVILLE — Charles Cross’ time is coming at Mississippi State.
A five-star recruit in the class of 2019 and the No. 27 overall player according to the 247Sports Composite, Cross arrived on campus last January with an heir of potential few players in the history of the program have possessed, but a body that wasn’t college ready.
After appearing in games against Southern Mississippi, Kansas State and Texas A&M a season ago, Cross is now slated to take over the left tackle spot vacated by third round NFL Draft Pick Tyre Phillips heading into the middle of fall camp.
“He’s like a pit bull,” MSU offensive line coach Mason Miller said Tuesday night. “When he gets his hands on you, he doesn’t surrender.”
Baby-faced and a slim 270 pounds when he arrived on campus a season ago, Cross has evolved and matured into a 290-pound behemoth in the trenches. Blessed with quick feet and an athleticism that far exceeds what a player of his size should be capable of, he earned rave reviews from former coach Joe Moorhead’s staff.
Ex-offensive line coach Marcus Johnson — who’s now working under Eliah Drinkwitz at Missouri — noted it would take time to get Cross’ body prepared for the rigors of a Southeastern Conference schedule, but that he profiled as a “superstar.”
“To be honest with you guys, I don’t think I’ve ever been around a true freshman with his ability, along with his mental capacity,” Johnson said last August. “Such a mature young man for his age. He doesn’t act like a freshman at all. Doesn’t really joke around, he’s real business-minded — kind of similar to (former MSU lineman) Deion Calhoun. I think that’s one of the reasons Charles is ahead of the other freshmen, because he’s been here going on nine months and he’s learned with some pretty good players.”
“He’s showing so much more talent than when he first got here,” sophomore defensive tackle Nathan Pickering added. “He’s quicker, stronger. I mean, he’s a way better player from when he first got here, I can tell you that.”
With incumbent center Darryl Williams and Phillips off to the NFL, coupled with Stewart Reese’s transfer to Florida, MSU is left with three starting positions to fill along its offensive line, albeit with ample talent to spare. Senior tackle Greg Eiland and guards Dareuan Parker, LaQuinston Sharp and Scott Lashley all landed in the top 10 at their respective positions in ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay’s 2021 positional rankings that dropped Wednesday morning.
Former Under Armour All-American Kwatrivous Johnson also figures to play a role along this year’s line. According to Miller, Johnson — who’s played in just two career games due to redshirting and suspension — is currently running with the No. 1 offense at right tackle.
The biggest question mark comes at center. Williams, who spent the better part of his MSU career at guard, shifted inside as a senior to replace Elgton Jenkins. Now tasked with replacing the vocal leader of the Bulldogs’ line a year ago, Miller said Tuesday that junior James Jackson and LSU transfer Cole Smith are battling to fill the spot.
“I’m very, very hard on our centers,” Miller said. “You’re going to get some tongue lashings. (Smith has) taken it very well — so has James — they both have. I’m very proud of what they’ve done. We did some good things again in the protection today but we’ve got to continue to get better.”
For Cross, he’s earned praise from Miller for his ability to remain even-keel practice-to-practice in fall camp’s first week-and-a-half. Given that consistency coupled with the mass he spent more than a year building, Cross’ rise gives way to an offensive line that could go as many as 10 or 12-deep this fall and a future that his recruiting rankings and onlookers believe could lead to an NFL future.
“It’s different but I’m ready for it,” Cross said during Wednesday night’s media availability. “I’m preparing myself to the best of my ability to do my job at a high level.”
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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