With Mississippi State football set to return in a week and a half, we’re analyzing the positions on the Bulldogs’ 2024 roster. Next up is State’s linebackers, who will have to replace some superstars but still show promise.
Here’s a look at the state’s LB Corps…
After waiting for his chance behind legendary Bookie Watson and Jett Johnson, John Lewis becomes the leader of the LB room, moving from an upright edge rusher back to his more natural position as inside LB. Stone Blanton, who comes over from South Carolina, joins the room, bringing someone with experience as a starter in the SEC into the room. Young pass rushers Donterry Russell and Ty Cooper will play off the side as the jack LB. Nic Mitchell and talented sophomores Zakari Tillman and Javae Gilmore should provide depth, while Branden Jennings, coming up from the JUCO room, will look to compete for a starting position. And veteran JP Purvis should once again play a role after missing the spring with injury.
The LB unit seems to have the most promise on defense. John Lewis looks like a prime candidate to breakout now that he’s back playing inside LB, and he has a veteran SEC starter in Stone Blanton. Nic Mitchell and Brandon Jennings flashed their skills in the offseason, suggesting they’ll be valuable players. Donterry Russell looks like he could become a great pass rusher, which State desperately needs. And considering the talent level of some of the younger LBs, there should be good depth here.
While the talent level and depth in the LB room appears to be good, State still needs to replace the best LB duo in the SEC. Bookie Watson and Jett Johnson were two of the best to ever come out of Starkville. There will certainly be at least a slight drop in quality of starters. And considering those two have barely left the field, many of the LBs State will rely on this year haven’t played a major role in the Bulldogs’ defense thus far.
Next. MSU DL room. MSU needs players who break through at DL. dark
