Dec 26, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Leo Lewis (44) brings down Miami Redhawks wide receiver James Gardner (81) during the first half at Tropicana Field. Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mississippi State backed into its seventh straight bowl game last season with a 5-7 record, thanks to its high APR score.
This year the Bulldogs are hoping they can close out more games to keep their postseason streak alive without a technicality. MSU’s losses to South Alabama, LSU, BYU and Kentucky all came on the game’s final drive.
One area of concern coach Dan Mullen needed to address was the defense. It ranked at the bottom nationally in nearly every statistical category, including 120th in pass defense and 110th in total defense under first-year coordinator Peter Sirmon.
Mullen made a move, hiring Todd Grantham, a veteran of college and the NFL, to head his defense.
“I want people, when they watch your defense play, to see an intimidating defense. I want people to see 11 guys flying to the ball with a chip on their shoulders and a nasty disposition to get after it. When you are led by a guy who is that way, your defense is going to play that way.”
To help fill some of the experience gaps on the roster, State signed several junior college prospects who arrived on campus in January. Among those additions are four former Division I defensive players — outside linebacker Montez Sweat (Michigan State), defensive end Chauncey Rivers (Georgia) and safeties Johnathan Abram (Georgia) and Brian Cole (Michigan).
“They have really transitioned well into the program,” Mullen said.
On offense, the Bulldogs bring back one of the SEC’s top quarterbacks in Nick Fitzgerald. The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder led the conference in total offense last season, racking up 4,160 yards and 37 touchdowns while setting nine school records and two league marks.
Fitzgerald proved to be a force on the ground, rushing for 1,375 yards and 16 scores, but he wants to improve upon his 54.3 completion percentage.
“Obviously I have to be more of an accurate passer,” Fitzgerald said. “I have to be more consistent in that aspect, but still keeping in tune with the run game and making sure I can still make plays with my feet.”
Helping carry some of the rushing load will be running back Aeris Williams. Williams rushed for 450 yards during November, including 140 yards against Texas A&M and 191 against Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl, both of which were victories for the Bulldogs.
MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: QB Nick Fitzgerald — Fitzgerald’s importance goes far beyond the fact that he led the SEC in total yardage last season. He is one of only two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster, the other being true freshman Keytaon Thompson. Fitzgerald has to stay healthy while still maintaining the physical running prowess he displayed last fall.
BREAKOUT STAR: CB Cam Dantzler — Dantzler missed most of his redshirt year with a fractured ankle last season but made up for lost time during the spring. The long, lean cornerback picked off two passes during the spring game — one of which he returned 81 yards for a touchdown. Dantzler’s size gives the Bulldogs a strong match-up option against taller receivers.
NEWCOMER TO WATCH: LB Willie Gay — Gay is likely to see the field immediately as a true freshman after arriving at MSU as the No. 3 outside linebacker in the nation and a U.S. Army All-American. The 6-foot-2, 231-pounder is a local product out of Starkville High School who the Bulldogs were able to flip back from Ole Miss during the recruiting process. Gay possesses the size, strength and speed to make an impact right away.
–CB Tolando Cleveland is returning from a torn left ACL suffered in 2016 fall camp that kept him out all of last season. Cleveland was set to be MSU’s starting corner last year and will assume that role this fall.
–C Elgton Jenkins has made eight career starts — five at left tackle, two at left guard and one at right tackle. But Jenkins shifts to center this season after missing all of spring due to injury.
–WR Malik Dear tore his ACL during spring practice and his status for this season is in jeopardy. Dear was not among the 105 players who reported for fall camp; he will join the team when school starts.
–G Darryl Williams is projected to be the Bulldogs’ starter at left guard in 2017. Williams suffered a neck injury against Kentucky last year and missed the remainder of the season and spring.
