Joe Moorhead was able to get a portion of his signing class to enroll early. The newest Bulldogs, now that they’re on campus in Starkville, will take part in spring practices as members of the Mississippi State football team.
The Mississippi State football team officially has four new members now. After the Bulldogs brought in a sizable group of players in during the college football early signing period, several new Mississippi State Bulldogs decided to enroll early and be part of everything that Joe Moorhead wants his team to do this spring.
This could have a notable impact on the future of Mississippi State football. All four of the players who enrolled early will have a theoretical shot at competing, and winning, a spot in the starting lineup for MSU.
Who are those four players, you ask?
Quarterback Garrett Shrader, defensive back Fred Peters, offensive lineman LaQuinston Sharp, and offensive lineman Charles Cross.
Mississippi State has announced football signees offensive linemen Charles Cross & LaQuinston Sharp, defensive back Fred Peters and quarterback Garrett Shrader have all enrolled at MSU this semester and will go through spring practice with the Bulldogs.
— Joel Coleman (@JoelTColeman) January 8, 2019
Peters and Sharp are both arriving in Starkville after playing at the junior college level while Shrader and Cross come to MSU from high school.
It’ll be interesting to see how Moorhead and his coaching staff work to incorporate these players with the rest of the team. More than likely, all eyes will be on Shrader given the importance of his position and the fact that Nick Fitzgerald just left.
All four of these players could certainly start contributing sooner rather than later, but it would be a monumental move to see Shrader get the starting gig over current backup quarterback Keytaon Thompson.
However, there’s still a chance that it could happen.
Shrader is Joe Moorhead’s guy. More than likely, he’s the quarterback of the future. The head coach of the Mississippi State football team had been doing everything possible to convince Shrader to play within his offense dating back to when Moorhead was back at Penn State.
Given the experience and how much talent Keytaon Thompson possesses, he should still be the favorite to follow Fitzgerald. Still, keep on eye on what happens in spring practices and then also the spring game.