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Coaches speak at MSU Media Days

By Josh Barnhill

Jul 12, 2016; Hoover, AL, USA; Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen speaks to the media during SEC media day at Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2016; Hoover, AL, USA; Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen speaks to the media during SEC media day at Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
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MSU coaches spoke to the media on Monday morning.

Here are some paraphrased takeaways from what each coach said:

Dan Mullen:

  • No timeline for the QB battle – could be Week 1, Week 2 or October. Each QB will get reps with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd team just like it was in the spring
  • He wants the most consistent players, not necessarily the players who have the most impressive skills
  • Players > scheme, they aren’t going to put anything in the players can’t handle
  • MSU played a lot of 3-4 defense so it won’t be that big of an adjustment; and we’ll be multiple and use 4-3 as well
  • Donald Gray will play the X position to start August camp (out wide, on weak side)
  • Jamal Peters will be on defense (he played some WR in the spring)
  • Ran through Jordan Thomas, Justin Johnson and Ferrod Green at Tight End….seems really unsure who will play
  • He would not be surprised if a QB who doesn’t start decides to transfer….except Nick Tiano
  • Offensive leaders are Brandon Holloway, Ashton Shumpert and Fred Ross
  • Brandon Bryant mentioned as a defensive leader, even though he’s only a sophomore
  • Fred Ross could play at any receiver position, it just depends on how things go with other player’s development and injuries
  • Martinas Rankin was ready to go by the end of last season, but red-shirted so he has two years to be a starter

Peter Sirmon:

  • He wants “relentless effort”, as Mullen always says
  • He spent the summer with his defensive staff discussing the personnel they have and identity they want
  • Brian Baker (DL coach) is still adjusting to the college game (came from NFL) but he has a lot of knowledge
  • Terrell Buckley (cornerbacks coach) has a lot of technical knowledge and has been good on the recruiting trail
  • Mourice Linguist (safties coach) is demanding but not over-bearing
  • Sirmon says he coaches defense – not 3-4 or 4-3; They will be a multiple front defense
  • AJ Jefferson is a leader and he’ll be asked to be one on the D-line unit
  • Johnathan Calvin will be playing with his hand on the ground or standing up
  • Nelson Adams and Nick James will be playing the nose position
  • Guys have to have the mental disposition to be able to play
  • The “Viper” is the DE that will stand up – Will Coleman, Anfernee Mullins, Marquiss Spencer and Gerri Green will play that position
  • Richie Brown will be the leader of the linebackers – if you could put in a box what we want in our program it’s him
  • Dez Harris is coming back but he’s in a good frame of mind mentally
  • There will be two inside linebacker positions: Mike (Middle) and Will (Weak-side); there will be multiple guys playing different positions
  • Leo Lewis and Tim Washington have the talent but are inexperienced
  • The star linebacker is the outside LB: J.T. Gray and Traver Jung are competing for the starting role
  • Safety is a position of strengh with Kivon Coman, Mark McLaurin and Brandon Bryant
  • Mourice Smitherman will be playing corner and safety
  • We have experience and we have youth at CB

Billy Gonzales:

  • He thanks Starkville and MSU fans for embracing his family the last three and a half years
  • We need Fred Ross to have another big year
  • There’s a lot of size coming in from the wide receivers – Jamal Couch, Reginald Todd specifically
  • Donald Gray has tremendous strength in his hands and can make really big plays
  • We have a lot of players that will have to step up – we need to replace the production of the guys we lost
  • Malik Dear can take the wear and tear of moving around from a back to a receiver
  • Gabe Myles has elite speed, he’ll be at the Z receiver (out wide, strong side)

John Hevesy:

  • Elgton Jenkind, Justin Senior and Martinas Ranking are going to rotate at tackle
  • He will play the 6th best player 6th regardless of if they are a center, guard or tackle
  • Michael Story, Devon Desper and Deion Calhoun are competing at guard
  • Jenkins is athletic and knows the offense
  • Guys need to earn their jobs in August camp
  • He needs 8-10 guys mentally and physically ready to play on Saturday
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