Despite losing Makai Polk, Mississippi State football could be deeper at outside receiver
STARKVILLE — Wide receiver Caleb Ducking wasn't ready to be a starter last season, but Mississippi State football didn't need him to be. With Makai Polk transferring in from California, Ducking could take a back seat and learn.
In doing so, Ducking, now a redshirt senior, feels prepared to step in to replace Polk and his program-record 105 receptions. But he doesn't have to do it alone.
Mississippi State, in its development of receivers such as Ducking, has given itself a deeper group competing for reps this month in hopes of replacing the Baltimore Ravens receiver collectively.
"It means you've got some good players, which you like," outside receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. said. "If you don't have much competition, you're in trouble. You're just coaching the heck out of some guys that you hope can play well."
STATE TO SUNDAYS: How Martin Emerson's play inspires MSU's corners
CHRIS PARSON: What his commitment means for MSU's future at QB
Mike Leach's Air Raid offense features four receivers — two inside (H and Y) and two outside (Z and X).
Ducking will start at Z after holding the first-team reps through the spring and August practices. The junior college product, who redshirted the 2020 season before appearing in seven games last year, said he never envisioned reaching this point.
With his 6-foot-5 frame, his potential has always been highly regarded. Spurrier said in March this season was the time for it all to come together.
"I had to work a long way to get here," Ducking said. "Sitting behind Makai, I learned a lot from him. Now I'm just applying it to my everyday skills."
Leach and Spurrier say there's a "three-horse race" at the X position.
Lideatrick Griffin enters his junior season as one of the most explosive players in the SEC. Griffin was selected as the top kick returner in the conference by the USA TODAY Sports Network last month, but the skill set he flashed on special teams wasn't consistently a factor on offense.
Griffin caught 26 passes last season, just eight more than Rara Thomas had as a freshman. Thomas did not play football until his junior year of high school, and Leach often referred to Thomas' talent as raw. But the results (five touchdowns in 10 games) have thrusted the Alabama native into a starting competition.
Leach said Thomas had an average start to camp and needed to be more consistent, but his reps have maintained to keep him the favorite to start in Week 1.
Georgia transfer Justin Robinson is the sleeper in the mix. His 6-4 frame made him an intriguing addition. He had a shaky start to spring practices, but he improved as time passed and capped his progress with four catches for 54 yards in last week's scrimmage.
MSU plays eight receivers each game with two at each position. One among Griffin, Thomas and Robinson won't play, but that'll be determined week by week. The competition won't end when the season kicks off Sept. 3 against Memphis.
"If one guy doesn't play very well, he won't play at all the next week," Spurrier said. "Two guys will always be ready to play. If one guy plays a little better, he'll play a little more like Makai Polk ended up playing a lot more last year."
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football has 'three-horse race' at outside receiver
