Mississippi State’s Season Did Not End with Will Redmond’s Injury
Nov 1, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Will Redmond (2) grabs the ball for an interception against Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Demetrius Wilson (85) at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeat the Arkansas Razorbacks 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
I feel really bad for Will Redmond. Redmond is a talented player, and the best defensive back on the team. Losing him is a big blow to the secondary. But I’m not willing to wave the white flag on the season just yet.
Josh told you guys earlier to beware of becoming Prisoners of the Moment. Some people are doing it again. Tweets and Facebook status updates of “there goes the season” or “the secondary is shot” reign supreme right now.
But last time I checked, the coaching staff was well aware of the fact Will Redmond is a senior. I am also confident they knew someone is going to have to replace his contributions once this season came to an end. The plan to do so has just been fast tracked.
As I mentioned when the story broke, Tolando Cleveland is going to be the person initially called upon to replace Redmond. Cleveland hasn’t been great, and no one is trying to say anything that remotely resembles such an idea. But he hasn’t been as bad recently since the opening game against Southern Miss.
If Cleveland struggles, expect Jiles and Graham to start seeing some serious playing time as well. The Bulldogs have talent in the secondary, they simply need to get all they can from the players available. We’ll see if Cleveland, Jiles, and Redmond rise to the challenge or not.
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I fully expect opposing offenses to target whoever is covering the receiver Will Redmond would have been covering. It won’t matter if it is Cleveland, Jiles, or Graham. Manny Diaz is also aware of this. If Mississippi State is going to keep from getting burned on that side of the field, then the most important player besides Redmond’s replacement will be Taveze Calhoun.
Calhoun has outplayed his star ranking his entire career. He was just a 2 star recruit, but has contributed as a far above average player since he arrived. Taveze Calhoun needs to lock down his opponent with as little safety help as possible.
If Calhoun can do that, then the safeties can cheat toward the side of the field where Redmond would have played. We don’t have Market back there, but after what we saw from Brandon Bryant last week against Louisiana Tech, we should be alright. People have been begging for more of our younger players to get experience and contribute. They’re going to get that opportunity now.
The secondary is certainly not better off without Redmond. But Mississippi State can still finish out 2015 strong with a backup in his place.