What will Mississippi State football’s depth chart look like in season opener? Our final prediction

Stefan Krajisnik, Mississippi Clarion Ledger

August 24, 2022 at 9:55 PM·8 min read

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Mississippi State football's 2022 depth chart looks similar to last year's. The Bulldogs return 16 starters along with a selection of backups with SEC experience.

There were a few intriguing position battles heading into preseason camp, and they appear to be decided with less than two weeks until the Sept. 3 opener against Memphis. Here's the Clarion Ledger's projection for what Mississippi State's depth chart will look like in 2022.

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Quarterback

The starter: Will Rogers, jr.

The reserves: Sawyer Robertson, r-fr.; Chance Lovertich, gr.

There was never the quarterback competition Mike Leach alluded to numerous times in the offseason. Rogers’ experience is the most valuable asset for an Air Raid quarterback, and he will handle all the important snaps this season as long as he’s healthy.

Running back

The starters: Jo'quavious Marks, jr. OR Dillon Johnson, jr.

The reserves: Simeon Price, r-fr.; Ke'Travion Hargrove,r-fr.; J.J. Jernighan, gr.

Marks and Johnson said the biggest improvement in their offseason was the ability to read defenses pre-snap. The core of them, Rogers and center LaQuinston Sharp together for a third season could lead to some crucial audibles. Price was a surprising standout from camp.

X-Wide receiver

The starters: Lideatrick Griffin, jr. OR Rara Thomas, so.

The reserve: Justin Robinson, r-so.

Leach called this position a three-horse race, and two guys will play each week. Thomas and Griffin get the edge as returning guys after a camp where none of the three was significantly better than the others.

Jul 19, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach shown on the stage during SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Y-Wide receiver

The starter: Jaden Walley, Jr.

The reserve: Jamire Calvin, gr.

These two have a combined seven years of college experience. Calvin knows the Air Raid better than any receiver having played with Leach at Washington State. Walley, with more consistent numbers, could be the leading receiver on the team.

H-Wide receiver

The starter: Austin Williams, gr.

The reserves: Rufus Harvey, r-so.; Scoobie Ford, r-sr.

Austin Williams is an unquestioned leader in the receivers room as he enters his sixth and final season. Rufus Harvey was another standout from preseason camp, so he’ll get his fair share of snaps and could be an X-factor for Leach and inside receivers coach Drew Hollingshead.

Z-Wide receiver

The starter: Caleb Ducking, r-sr.

The reserves: Antonio Harmon, r-fr.; Jordan Mosley, r-fr.;

Ducking is being asked to fill the spot left by Makai Polk. After joining from junior college, Ducking is in his third season at MSU and outsider receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. said this is his time.

Left tackle

The starter: Kwatrivous Johnson, r-sr.

The reserve: Percy Lewis, jr.

Johnson has the task of protecting Rogers’ blindside after Charles Cross did so perfectly last season. Johnson moved from the right side of the line and received compliments from Leach throughout preseason camp. Lewis was a top junior college signing in December but doesn’t appear ready to start.

Left guard

The starter: Nick Jones, r-jr.

The reserve: Reed Buys, r-jr.

Nick Jones quietly secured the left guard spot with Kameron Jones moving to the right side. Nick Jones sat behind Cross last season, playing just 105 snaps. He received a 75.8 offensive rating from Pro Football Focus in the limited playing time.

Center

The starter: LaQuinston Sharp, gr.

The reserve: Steven Losoya, r-jr.

Sharp’s return was one of the most celebrated moments in MSU’s offseason. He was the third-highest graded center in the SEC last season, according to PFF. He played 1,002 snaps which was fourth-highest among FBS centers.

Right guard

The starter: Cole Smith, r-sr.

The reserve: Albert Reese, r-fr.

Smith had a shaky start to preseason camp after missing the spring due to shoulder surgery. However, he reinserted himself as the starter during the second week of August practices. Reese’s versatility to play either spot on the right side is good in case of injury or poor play.

Right tackle

The starter: Kameron Jones, r-sr.

The reserve: Albert Reese, r-fr.

Kameron Jones is one of State’s top offensive lineman, but playing at left guard beside Cross left him overshadowed. Now at right tackle, he replaces Scott Lashley who struggled last season. Jones was the 15th-highest graded SEC guard, according to PFF.

Defensive end

The starters: De'Monte Russell, r-jr. OR Jordan Davis, gr.

The reserve: Randy Charlton, 5th year

Mississippi State has defensive line depth with every player on the two-deep returning. Jordan Davis coming back from a torn ACL suffered last August might’ve been the top offseason addition.

Nose guard

The starter: Cameron Young, r-sr.

The reserve: Nathan Pickering, sr.

Cameron Young is likely the top NFL talent on the defensive line. He was a key part in the nation’s No. 12 rush defense last season. Pickering slimmed down in the offseason. If consistent, he could be another X-factor for the Bulldogs.

Defensive tackle

The starters: Randy Charlton, 5th year OR Jaden Crumedy, gr.

The reserve: Jack Harris, r-jr.

Crumedy has been sidelined most of camp with an arm/hand injury. If he is to miss games, Charlton is a trusted veteran on this defense who is back in his natural position after filling in for Davis.

Sam linebacker

The starter: Tyrus Wheat, gr.

The reserve: Sherman Timbs, gr.

Wheat is the most versatile defender on the team. He could line up with his hand in the ground and get into the backfield or play as a traditional linebacker with athleticism to defend in the pass game. It’ll be hard for Timbs to earn snaps.

Mike linebacker

The starter: Nathaniel Watson, r-sr.

The reserve: J.P. Purvis, r-jr.

Watson was No. 18 in the SEC last season with seven tackles per game. He recorded six tackles for loss and five sacks. He is another key leader on the defense as he enters his fifth year.

Will linebacker

The starter: Jett Johnson, gr.

The reserve: DeShawn Page, r-jr.

Johnson was MSU’s leading tackler last season after appearing in just seven games his first three seasons. The Tupelo native is backed up by Page who has been in and out of the lineup in camp but has constantly been touted as a rising star on defense.

Cornerback

The starters: Emmanuel Forbes, jr. AND Decamerion Richardson, jr.

The reserves: Marcus Banks, sr.; Esaias Furdge, gr.

Forbes takes the role of being the No. 1 corner with Martin Emerson gone. Richardson enters his third season as the guy expected to produce opposite of Forbes. Banks is an Alabama transfer who missed the spring but impressed in preseason camp, giving MSU some depth in its secondary.

Free safety

The starter: Collin Duncan, sr.

The reserve: Dylan Lawrence, r-jr.

Duncan didn’t hesitate to call out mistakes during preseason camp, showing the respect he has earned as a veteran in the secondary. Lawrence showed impressive flashes in practices, but it’ll be difficult to get Duncan’s experience off the field.

Strong safety

The starter: Jalen Green, 5th year

The reserve: Corey Ellington, so.

Ellington passed Green as the starter for a couple practices in the second week of camp, but after a series of mistakes, Green was back in. Expect both to find playing time as their position battle roles into the season.

Bull

The starter: Jackie Matthews, gr.

The reserve: Shawn Preston, r-sr.

Matthews is a transfer from West Virginia who struggled in the spring. However, he quickly took the starting job this month. His knack for the ball makes him an interesting component for an MSU team with a negative turnover margin last season.

Kicker

The starter: Massimo Biscardi, gr.

The reserves: Ben Raybon, r-sr.; Jordan Kennedy, fr.

The Bulldogs will have the most-watched kicking unit in the nation. After struggling last season — to the point that Leach called for open tryouts — MSU attacked the portal and brought in Biscardi from Coastal Carolina and Raybon from Northern Colorado.

Punter

The starters: George Georgopoulos, gr. OR Archer Trafford, r-sr.

Trafford returns after splitting time with Tucker Day last season. He said he spent the offseason improving his hangtime. Georgopoulos joins MSU from UMass. They could take turns as holders depending on who is kicking.

Kick returner

The starter: Lideatrick Griffin, jr.

The reserves: Jo’quavious Marks, jr.; Zavion Thomas, fr.

Griffin started 2021 with a 70-yard return to spark a comeback win against Louisiana Tech followed up by a 100-yard touchdown return to open a win against NC State. Then, teams learned to stop kicking to him.

Punter returner