STARKVILLE — Matt Glover saw Nick Gibson run three plays in eighth grade.
The Pinson Valley High School football coach watched Gibson go 80 yards for a touchdown run on the first one, but a holding call negated the score.
Gibson took the next play 90 yards for a touchdown. That score, too, was called back by a penalty.
Glover noticed Gibson showing fatigue, but it didn’t stop him from taking the next handoff 95 yards for a touchdown.
Glover knew then he had a Southeastern Conference-caliber running back.
After a standout prep career, Glover feels this could be the year Gibson delivers similar production.
“I knew once he got to State and once he got comfortable doing what they were doing, it’s only a matter of time,” he said. “I think the in-state schools (Alabama and Auburn) looking over him put a chip on his shoulder. I’m glad he’s at State.”
Gibson, who redshirted in 2015 and saw limited action in 2016, is convinced his breakout year is coming in 2017. He enters preseason camp battling for the No. 2 spot in the running back rotation behind Aeris Williams. Freshman Kylin Hill, junior Dontavian Lee, and sophomore Alec Murphy also will compete for time.
Gibson has confidence he can earn his way on to the field thanks to a 17-carry, 108-yard effort in the Maroon & White game in April. That performance was an eye-opener after a redshirt freshman since in which he had nine carries for 57 yards in three games.
In averaging more than 6 yards per carry in the spring game, Gibson displayed the power that always has been one of his trademarks. Gibson has gone out of his way to bolster that strength, saying after the game he added 10 pounds over the winter.
“I got a mind-set like a linebacker,” Gibson said at the time. “You’re not going to hit me. I’m going to go hit you. I’d rather be the hammer than the nail. A lot of people think I’m a finesse back — which I probably am a finesse back — but I like to hit people, too.”
Gibson solidified that reputation at Pinson Valley High, where he was named the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 5A Back of the Year as a junior in 2013 after a season in which he had 293 carries for 2,205 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also caught 25 passes for 266 yards and three scores. As a senior, he had 223 carries and 1,287 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Glover remembers how Gibson used his physicality to deliver highlight-reel plays. He recalls Gibson breaking nine tackles on a touchdown run against Clay-Chalkville, but he said Gibson can be a threat other ways. He said there were times Gibson was Pinson Valley’s best pass catcher, so he put him in the slot. He’s confident that ability will allow him to do anything MSU might ask him to do.
“We wanted him to touch it 25-30 times a game, at least,” Glover said. “I wouldn’t say Nick is a track star. He’s one of those guys that pounds on you and pounds on you and eventually breaks one.”
If Gibson has his way, he won’t wait much longer to break one for MSU.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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