Mississippi State Football: 18 Thoughts on 2018 season

STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 11: Aeris Williams #22 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs dives in for the touchdown as Keith Holcombe #42 and Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide try to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 11: Aeris Williams #22 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs dives in for the touchdown as Keith Holcombe #42 and Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide try to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
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STARKVILLE, MS – OCTOBER 21: Stephen Johnson #15 of the Kentucky Wildcats throws a pass as Jeffery Simmons #94 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs tries to defend during the first half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS – OCTOBER 21: Stephen Johnson #15 of the Kentucky Wildcats throws a pass as Jeffery Simmons #94 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs tries to defend during the first half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)

Chauncey Rivers Will Get A Great Chance To Show Off His Skillset Alongside Jeffery Simmons And The Rest Of MSU’s Line

I have mentioned in here a few times that Mississippi State football will have a loaded defensive line in 2018. A large part of the Bulldogs being so dominant up front will hinge on Chauncey Rivers. Now, don’t get me wrong, the MSU defensive line is really good without Rivers. However, it can be truly great with him added in.

Rivers is a talented defensive end with plenty of potential to succeed. In 2017, after he signed with the Bulldogs, he had to sit out a year due to eligibility concerns. But, now in 2018, Rivers will be able to play without issue.

The 6-2 and 284 pound defensive end was a four-star recruit coming out of the junior college ranks. That doesn’t automatically guarantee that he’ll be able to produce right away, but everything indicates that he should be pretty good.

While Rivers was with East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, Mississippi, he had 45 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks. Opposing offensive lines will have a hard time holding Rivers and the rest of the Mississippi State defensive line back.