Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE
Tyler Russell knows this year is different, and he believes it’s time for Mississippi State to know it as well.
The junior quarterback, primarily a backup in his first two seasons, is ready to take over the Bulldogs’ reins as the starter and the face of the program. His first opportunity arrived in MSU’s Maroon-White game at the end of the spring. He completed 24 of 43 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns.
“I wanted to come out here and let the fans know that, look, Tyler Russell is for real,” Russell said. “We have to let them know our offense has improved from last year and everybody is on the same page.”
Russell started four games last season, though he was seemingly always on a short leash near the end of the season. A sprained MCL limited his mobility and forced him to sit out the Music City Bowl. He still managed to throw for 1,034 yards and eight touchdowns with four interceptions in nine games.
Coach Dan Mullen, who opted to take a back-and-forth approach with a two-quarterback system in the latter half of the season, did not question Russell’s arm or his decision-making.
“I didn’t ever doubt him,” Mullen said. “We knew he could throw the football. It’s the whole managing the game, the leadership and all the other things that he needed to continually grow upon.”
He gained some favor from teammates when he supplanted Chris Relf as the starter during a road game at UAB. MSU was down 3-0 at halftime, when Mullen decided to insert Russell. He led the Bulldogs back for a 21-3 win.
He entered the spring as the No. 1 quarterback. Only redshirt freshman Dak Prescott has battled him for playing time, and it appears Prescott will be used only in situational formations in the red zone or if the Bulldogs need a change of pace.
“You come to a point in your career and you’re like, nobody is in front of you,” Russell said. “You’ve got to be that guy. You’ve got young guys behind you now. You’re the guy.”
Coaches noticed a change in demeanor as well. When mistakes were made on the field — even when it was not his fault — he shouldered the blame.
“Everyone believes in him,” senior linebacker Cameron Lawrence said. “Whenever we’re in a tough situation, he’s there for us. He’s the leader of our team right now.”
