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Peter Sirmon: Most Pressing Issues for the New Defensive Coordinator

By Justin Strawn

Aug 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian (left) and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon before the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian (left) and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon before the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Beniquez Brown (42) celebrates after recovering a blocked field goal attempt in the final seconds of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi State defeated Arkansas 51-50. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Beniquez Brown (42) celebrates after recovering a blocked field goal attempt in the final seconds of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi State defeated Arkansas 51-50. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Fill the void left by Chris Jones and Beniquez Brown

Chris Jones decided shortly after the Belk Bowl to pursue the NFL Draft with the completion of his junior season. It came as a surprise to almost no one. Beniquez Brown announced his intention to leave early shortly after Jones and that was a more of a surprise.

Beniquez Brown was the second leading tackler on the team with 99 and also third on the team with 11 tackles for loss. With a deep linebacking corps, absorbing the loss of Brown is not ideal, but it can be overcome.

The departure of Jones impacts the talent level more than it does the production level. The decision by Jones to leave was based more on the potential he has at the next level than it was for the production on the field.

The front seven for Mississippi State has been its strength on the field for the past three seasons. There are plenty of candidates for Sirmon to choose from. Look for highly touted freshman Fletcher Adams to play a big role on the defensive line next season. For the linebackers, Sirmon has lots of potential to pluck from. J. T. Gray had already begun to play a lot, and you can expect Leo Lewis and Traver Jung to be called upon a lot in 2016.

Next: Patching together the secondary

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