Position Previews: Offensive Tackle
Nov 17, 2012; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs offensive linesman Blaine Clausell (75) during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 45-14. Mandatory Credit: Spruce DerdenUSA TODAY Sports
The 2014 Mississippi State football team looks solid at every position except two: placekicker and right tackle. Today we’ll look at both tackle positions, and we’ll start with the good news.
Left Tackle
Blaine Clausell – he has developed into a very solid player at one of the offense’s most important positions. He was forced into duty (along with Dillon Day) as a freshman in 2011 and both have been starting ever since. You have to feel good about LT as long as Blaine stays healthy.
Cole Carter – at 6′-7″, 295 Carter has the size it takes to play tackle in the SEC. But as a redshirt sophomore coming into 2014 he has no real experience to speak of. Could he potentially step in and play well if needed? That is a question we hopefully won’t have to answer.
Right Tackle
Justin Senior – it’s been a revolving door this offseason at RT but it seems as though Senior is poised to take the starting role. Whether that’s due to a lack of better options or he’s got what it takes I do not know. Justin has been on campus for three springs after attending Hargrave Military Academy in 2011. He’s a sophomore, but an aged one.
Rufus Warren – he has made the switch from TE to tackle this offseason. At 6′-7″ 295 he was really suited for the O-line anyway. It appears as though he’s made the transition without any major obstacles, and hopefully he’ll be a contributor this year.
Damien Robinson – Damien’s career is likely over as he torn his ACL in the scrimmage on Friday. He was listed as the starter at RT coming into fall camp but that simply wasn’t going to happen. He could potentially get a medical redshirt but after five years on campus he may just want to get his career started.
Joquell Johnson – when MSU picked up a juco tackle you’d figure he’d be brought in to compete for the starting job, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. He did suffer an injury towards the end of last year so he hasn’t been able to get in as much work as you would like. He’ll likely redshirt this fall and be ready to go next year.
Justin Malone – there has been a lot of talk about Malone moving from RG to RT, but that has yet to happen. He has the size typically associated with a tackle but for whatever reason it has not happened. With Robinson’s injury he may get more of a look at RT but we’ll see. I wouldn’t expect him to move, however, unless Coach Hevesy intends for him to start.