STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team was going to have to replace several positions as the 2014 season drew to a close.
One of the biggest was center. Dillon Day, who won a Super Bowl ring with the NFL’s Denver Broncos last season, was a four-year starter at center. He was one of the best centers in the Southeastern Conference, and the Bulldogs had a comfort level with him standing over the ball.
But Day’s success didn’t give many other players a chance to take live reps. During bowl prep before the 2014 Orange Bowl, co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach John Hevesy moved Jamaal Clayborn from guard to center. Clayborn practiced at center during the spring of 2015 and took over at the position last season.
“I learned a lot,” Clayborn said. “I learned about being confident in whatever calls I make. As long as everyone’s on the same page, we’re all right. The biggest thing is communicating and being consistent with my play.”
Clayborn started 12 games at center last season. He missed the Belk Bowl due to an injury. After a year at the position, Clayborn feels more confident in his ability to be an impact player. He will get his chance to showcase those skills when MSU plays host to South Alabama at 11 a.m. Saturday Sept. 3 (SEC Network), in its season opener at Davis Wade Stadium.
Clayborn, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound Jackson native, played in the final seven games of his freshman season and four games as a sophomore. Entering this season, he was named to the Remington Trophy preseason watch list. The award, which is named after former Nebraska center Dave Rimington, is given to the best center in college football.
Hevesy said Clayborn’s confidence in the center position has improved tremendously.
“He’s done it,” Hevesy said. “Last year was kind of just what’s expected of me. Now, he knows what’s expected of him at that position, what I expect from him, and what really the whole offensive line expects from him. I think since the end of last season he has transitioned to what I have to do as far as being a senior leader and also being at the center of what’s expected at that position for us in this offense.”
Clayborn has said numerous times there isn’t much difference between center and the other offensive line positions. There is the part about snapping the ball, but Clayborn has made a smooth transition to that aspect.
Communication is the center’s biggest responsibility.
“It starts in the summer,” Clayborn said. “It starts with skills and drills, us doing pass scales with the quarterbacks and receivers and communicating with an imaginary defense. Like saying what’s the front and what’s the pressure.
“I’m looking basically at the fronts and different tactics they do that coach Hevesy pointed out during film study.”
The Bulldog offensive line ranked 12th in the SEC by allowing 32 sacks last season. MSU allowed nine of those sacks in a 31-6 loss to Alabama in which redshirt freshmen in Deion Calhoun and Elgton Jenkins saw action.
Injuries took their toll on the offensive line last season wore on the offensive line. Hevesy said the Bulldogs also were hurt because the communication wasn’t always there. He feels like it is much better now.
“Everyone’s trying to communicate, but everyone’s like five independent contractors out there doing things instead of one unit,” Hevesy said. “That’s what you have to get from the ones, the twos, and the threes. That’s when you’re going to be successful across the board.”
Clayborn’s role will be magnified with a new quarterback. Day had the luxury of working with Tyler Russell and Dak Prescott. Prescott, who broke 38 school records, was like another center when it came to looking over the defense and communicating.
A quarterback hasn’t solidified himself as the starter. Junior Damian Williams, sophomore Nick Fitzgerald and redshirt freshman Nick Tiano have split reps in practice. Williams hasn’t played since the 2014 season, Fitzgerald was Prescott’s backup last season, and Tiano hasn’t played.
“I don’t believe it’s how the quarterback performs, it’s about what we do up front,” Clayborn said. “This year, we’re going to have to protect our baby, so to speak, and let him grow as the season goes on.”
Clayborn, who went to Jackson Academy, said he takes pride in his communication skills. They’ve grown since his initial season playing center and he’s ready to show them off.
“That’s in my job description, and that’s what I take upon myself,” Clayborn said. “I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure we win ballgames.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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