STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football announced its two-deep depth chart Monday ahead of Saturday's season opener against Memphis.

The Bulldogs, who return the most starters in the SEC, have plenty of familiar faces back in their usual spots. However, there were still key position battles in preseason camp.

MSU shuffled much of its offensive line with left tackle Charles Cross in the NFL and right tackle Scott Lashley out of eligibility. Kwatrivous Johnson, who played at right guard last season, is filling Cross’ void. He’ll play alongside left guard Nick Jones.

At right tackle, it'll be Kameron Jones or Albert Reese while Cole Smith is at right guard. LaQuinston Sharp remains at center as he enters his sixth college season and fourth at Mississippi State.

Coach Mike Leach called the battle at X-wide receiver a, “three-horse race” between Rara Thomas, Lideatrick Griffin and Georgia transfer Justin Robinson. Thomas was listed as the starter while the backup will be Griffin or Robinson.

At inside receiver, the Y position featured a surprise. Redshirt-sophomore Rufus Harvey is the starter while the backup is junior Jaden Walley or redshirt-senior Scoobie Ford.

Sophomore Corey Ellington and fifth-year Jalen Green took traded first-team reps at strong safety during the second week of camp. Green won that battle.

MSU FOOTBALL:2022 game-by-game predictions

The full 2022 Mississippi State football depth chart

Offense

Quarterback:

Will Rogers, Jr.

Sawyer Robertson. R-Fr.

Running back:

Jo'quavious Marks, Jr. OR Dillon Johnson, Jr. OR Simeon Price, R-Fr.

X-Wide receiver:

Rara Thomas, So.

Lideatrick Griffin, Jr. OR Justin Robinson, R-So.

H-Wide receiver:

Austin Williams, Gr.

Jamire Calvin, Gr.

Y-Wide receiver:

Rufus Harvey, R-So.

Jaden Walley, Jr. OR Scoobie Ford, R-Sr.

Z-Wide receiver:

Caleb Ducking, R-Sr.

Antonio Harmon, R-Fr. OR Jordan Mosley, R-Fr.

Left tackle

Kwatrivous Johnson, R-Sr.

Percy Lewis, Jr.

Left guard:

Nick Jones, R-Jr.

Reed Buys, R-Jr.

Center:

LaQuinston Sharp, Gr.

Steven Losoya, R-Jr.

Right guard:

Cole Smith, R-Sr.

Albert Reese, R-Fr.

Right tackle:

Kameron Jones, R-Jr. OR Albert Reese, R-Fr.

Defense

Defensive end:

Jordan Davis, Gr.

De'Monte Russell, R-Jr.

Nose guard:

Cameron Young, R-Sr.

Nathan Pickering, Sr.

Defensive tackle:

Jaden Crumedy, Gr.

Randy Charlton, 5th.

Sam linebacker:

Tyrus Wheat, Sr.

Sherman Timbs, Gr.

Mike linebacker:

Nathaniel Watson, R-SR.

J.P. Purvis, So.

Will linebacker:

Jett Johnson, R-Jr.

DeShawn Page, R-Jr.

Cornerback:

Emmanuel Forbes, Jr.

Esaias Furdge, Gr.

Cornerback:

Decamerion Richardson, Jr.

Marcus Banks, Sr.

Safety:

Jackie Matthews, Gr.

Dylan Lawrence, R-Jr.

Safety:

Collin Duncan, Sr.

Shawn Preston, R-Sr.

Safety:

Jalen Green, 5th.

Corey Ellington, So.

Special teams

Kicker:

Massimo Biscardi, Gr.

Ben Raybon, R-Sr. OR Jordan Kennedy, Fr.

Punter:

Archer Trafford, R-Sr. OR George Georgopoulos, Gr.

Kick returner:

Lideatrick Griffin, So.

Zavion Thomas, Fr.

Punt returner:

Austin Williams, Gr. OR Emmanuel Forbes, Jr.

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 announces official 2022 depth chart