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Mississippi State Football: 5 biggest question marks

By Josh Barnhill

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Dec 31, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Ashton Shumpert (32) in the second half of the Orange Bowl game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Ashton Shumpert (32) in the second half of the Orange Bowl game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Running Back

Mississippi State got next to nothing out of their running backs in 2015. It was a weird feeling as the Bulldogs have always had backs produce, even in the leanest of years. Here were the rushing yardage numbers:

  • Brandon Holloway: 413
  • Ashton Shumpert: 228
  • Aeries Williams: 206
  • Dontavian Lee: 127

That was….pathetic, and it has to improve this fall.

All of those players are back, then add in Nick Gibson and Alec Murphy who redshirted in 2015. Surely one of these guys has to step up, right?

Granted, a lot of this had to do with a poor offensive line, but Holloway is not a feature back, Shumpert had no explosiveness while Williams and Lee were freshman who Mullen didn’t seem to trust.

Most believe Holloway and Williams will get the bulk of the carries this year, but RB coach Greg Knox has stated Shumpert looks good in camp. Lee had a lot of folks excited this time last year and the freshman are new blood. We shall see.

Next: Number 3

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