STARKVILLE — Dez Harris isn’t like most football players.
The Mississippi State sophomore linebacker didn’t hang his head after seeing his redshirt freshman season end last year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Instead, Harris thought about the steps he needed to take to return to the field before the 2015 season started.
“I knew I had to get in the training room, hit therapy hard, and start off on the right foot so I wouldn’t have as many as troubles and problems in the future,” Harris said.
The injury happened against Auburn on Oct. 11, 2014, and forced Harris to miss spring practice, but he was used to the recovery process. A torn ACL in Harris’ right knee ended his senior season at McAdory High School in McCalla, Alabama, before it started.
“The second time you know what to expect,” Harris said. “You know what precautions you have to take, what you can and can’t do, and how to get yourself better if you’ve already come back from one. I kind of had a feeling and idea of what the treatment and therapy was going to be like doing it in high school.”
The Bulldogs avoided numerous injuries last season. Cornerback Cedric Jiles, offensive lineman Damien Robinson, and wide receiver Shelby Christy had season-ending injuries before the season started, while Harris, safety Kendrick Market, and wide receiver Jameon Lewis were injured during the season. Lewis was the only one who was able to return to play last season.
Harris has recovered and is competing for playing time. When asked about Harris’ mind-set after the injuries, MSU coach Dan Mullen said, “Don’t have another one.”
Mullen said Harris has done well to return to the field. He expects him to compete for playing time and to play a key role on special teams.
Harris doesn’t want to have another injury, and even though his first thoughts when returning to practice were not to get hurt, he isn’t preoccupied about suffering another one.
“I feel like if you play like that you’re not going to be able to leave it on the field, you’re not going to be able to do your best,” he said. “I don’t really think about my knees anymore. I just think about the game.”
Before the injury, Harris played in six games and had 10 tackles (six solos). He had a career-best four tackles in his debut against Southern Mississippi.
“I’m basically a role player,” Harris said. “I’m just looking to help my team in anyway. I know I’m going to be a big part of special teams and backing up (junior linebacker) Beniquez (Brown), following him and doing whatever I can to help this team.
“I’m feeling good. I’m just getting in my playbook, understanding my plays and understanding everything I’ve got to do this year.”
Harris hopes to learn a lot from Brown, who had a big sophomore season and will be one of the leaders on defense this season.
“Watching Beniquez is a lot like watching Benardrick McKinney, Deontae Skinner, and Matt Wells,” Harris said. “Just watching how they prepare, how they (study) film, how they fill their gaps, and how they carry themselves on the field.
“(I am) just watching them and trying to develop some of the same habits, but making them into my own.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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