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Mississippi State Football’s Make or Break Players: Montez Sweat

By Justin Strawn

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 30: Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts after a tackle for loss against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 30: Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts after a tackle for loss against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The 2018 Mississippi State football season could be one fans will remember for years to come. Who will need to step up to make that happen?

As we approach the 2018 Mississippi State football season, we’ll be looking at the players who will need to step up in a big way for the Bulldogs to turn the season into the one the fans are hoping  for. This article will focus on the SEC leader in sacks in 2017, Montez Sweat.

We all know that Montez Sweat was a big difference maker for the Bulldogs in 2017. He led the SEC in sacks with 10.5 and had 15.5 tackles for loss. He was a monster in terms of disrupting the passing game of the opposition.

If the Bulldogs are going to take the next step forward in 2018, Montez Sweat will be a big reason why. But it might not be in a way that is obvious. Montez Sweat could be just as much of a force as he was in 2017, but have numbers that are not quite as gaudy.

There will be plenty of help for Montez Sweat along defensive front seven. We all know just how good Jeffery Simmons is, and he won’t be the only one opposing offensive lines will have to account for. Gerri Green is being moved from a 3-4 linebacker to a 4-3 defensive end, and you should see him make more of an impact in the opposing team’s backfield as a result.

dark. Next. Nick Fitzgerld making progress in downfield throws

For Montez Sweat to have a major impact the 2018 Mississippi State football season, he will need to continue to make teams pay if they decide to double team any one player. The most likely player to receive those double teams will be Jeffery Simmons. If Sweat can continue to harass the quarterback like he did last year, even if he doesn’t get the sack, the Bulldog defense will be just as nasty as ever.

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