Maroon and White Nation
Fansided

Mississippi State Football: 5 biggest question marks

By Josh Barnhill

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Nov 14, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Tolando Cleveland (7) waits for a play to begin during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Davis Wade Stadium. Alabama won 31-6. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Tolando Cleveland (7) waits for a play to begin during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Davis Wade Stadium. Alabama won 31-6. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Cornerback

This group really scares me because they could absolutely break this team. There is some talent, but I feel like the ceiling is ‘mediocre’.

If your cornerbacks can’t cover, then you can’t blitz like you may want to. Because if you need safety help there won’t be anyone covering the middle of the field. And if you’re on an island and get burnt, it won’t matter if A.J. Jefferson broke free to sack the QB because the WR is open down the field for a quick completion.

At least two of these players have to step up:

  • Lashard Durr
  • Tolando Cleveland
  • Cendric Jiles
  • Jamoral Graham
  • Chris Rayford
  • Chris Stamps
  • Mourice Smitherman

There are some true freshman cornerbacks as well, but they’ll likely redshirt. Durr and Cleveland are most likely going to be the starters, but they should all get playing time. There’s got to be some rotation that works at least moderately well enough so MSU doesn’t lose all it’s aggressiveness on defense and isn’t giving up big passing plays every time you turn around.

Home/Mississippi State Football