The Mississippi State Bulldogs are unique. The offense is spread out like butter on toast, with Air Raid principles turned up to 11. After a tragic season in 2022, can the Bulldogs somehow find some traction in a difficult conference in 2023? What’s changed, and are there any NFL Draft prospects on the roster that could elevate Mississippi State’s game to compete or at least surprise a few teams?
Mississippi State Bulldogs Roster and Depth Chart Changes
Mississippi State finds itself in a difficult situation. Legendary head coach Mike Leach tragically passed away in December, leaving the Bulldogs in a spot nobody could have ever planned for. Zach Arnett has coached since 2011 and has been a defensive coordinator since 2018. His defense will have to carry a heavy burden as the offense tries to find efficiency with the Air Raid without its conductor.
The team also lost their second-leading rusher and leading receiver to the transfer portal. And while Jo’Quavious Marks certainly isn’t a slouch in the backfield, he might need to play a TON of snaps in 2023 if another back cannot step up to replace Dillon Johnson, a talented back in his own right.
The defense is old, which in college football isn’t a bad thing. The only sophomore slated to start is redshirt sophomore John Lewis. The offensive side of the ball isn’t too dissimilar. There isn’t a single underclassman slated to start for the Bulldogs this season.
But how many of these old heads are possible professional football players?
Mississippi State NFL Draft Prospects
Jo’Quavious Marks, RB
If Jo’Quavious Marks isn’t the best senior running back in the SEC, he’s kicking down the door to steal the title. Although the Mississippi State offense makes proper evaluation from a professional perspective quite difficult because of the massive OL splits and passing frequency, it does allow Marks to show off his ability as a pass catcher and pass protector.
Nobody should mistake Marks for Christian McCaffrey, but the compact back is a natural pass catcher out of the backfield with a bit of route-running wiggle, although it’s almost exclusively from the backfield and not as a slot option. But what should have coaches salivating is Marks’ desire and assignment soundness as a pass protector. He consistently sacrifices his body for the greater good, and he’s rarely out of place as a blocker.
Nathaniel Watson, LB
If Marks is the new school, Nathaniel Watson is the antithesis. The 240-pound linebacker is a bit of a dinosaur as a downhill thumper, but there are scheme-specific roles that he could fit neatly into.
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Odd-front schemes that utilize blitzing linebackers could utilize Watson at the next level, but he’ll need to show a better feel for agitating a quarterback’s vision in the Mississippi State zone defense that he patrols the middle of.
Other Notable Names
- Decamerion Richardson, CB
- Jaden Crumedy, DT
- Lideatrick Griffin, WR
Mississippi State Bulldogs Schedule
- Week 1
Sept. 2: vs. Southeastern Louisiana Lions - Week 2
Sept. 9: vs. Arizona Wildcats - Week 3
Sept. 16: vs. LSU Tigers - Week 4
Sept. 23: at South Carolina Gamecocks - Week 5
Sept. 30: vs. Alabama Crimson Tide - Week 6
Oct. 7: vs. Western Michigan Broncos - Week 7
BYE - Week 8
Oct. 21: at Arkansas Razorbacks - Week 9
Oct. 28: at Auburn Tigers - Week 10
Nov. 4: vs. Kentucky Wildcats - Week 11
Nov. 11: at Texas A&M Aggies - Week 12
Nov. 18: vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles - Week 13
Nov. 23: vs. Ole Miss Rebels - Week 14
BYE - Week 15
BYE
