Mississippi State football: Three players to know from Eastern Kentucky

Mississippi State football will kickoff the 2024 season Saturday night at Davis Wade Stadium against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels of the FCS' United Athletic Conference. Who are the players from EKU that Bulldog fans should know ahead of Saturday's matchup?

Left tackle Payton Collins is a FCS All-American candidate

Eastern Kentucky's best player resides on the offensive line. Left tackle Payton Collins is a stud up front. The towering 6'7", 301 lb Collins was named 1st Team All-UAC after leading a strong EKU OL in 2023, and he enters the 2024 season as a FC All-American candidate. The Colonels return four starters up front, and that group should be the strength of the offense. Collins is a big reason why.

Eastern Kentucky's best skill player is running back Joshua Carter

The Colonels have to replace their leading rusher from a season ago, but they aren't worried about not having talent in the backfield. RB Joshua Carter played a big role in the offense in 2023, rushing for 728 yards and four touchdowns on 6.0 yards per rush. He also added 147 yards as a receiver. Carter is easily the best offensive skill player for EKU entering the season. And with the nucleus of the EKU passing attack gone from last season, he's likely to be leaned on much more heavily this year.

Safety Mike Smith Jr. protects the backend of the Colonel defense

Eastern Kentucky had plenty of struggles on the defensive side of the ball in 2023, but they still had some talented pieces there. One of their best players returns in safety Mike Smith Jr. A preseason all-conference selection named to the Senior Bowl watchlist, Smith Jr. posted 56 tackles last season with two interceptions and 11 passes broken up. Whether EKU's defense has improved or not, he'll be all around the field for the Colonels on Saturday.