STARKVILLE — Bob Shoop has called the job of a college football defensive coordinator the toughest in sports.
The hardest job on a defense might be the Nickel spot, which Shoop calls Star.
“At our Star position, because of the nature of college offensive schemes that spread the field, you want that position to be a hybrid linebacker and defensive back,” Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead said, “a guy that can fit in the run game and provide great support, but at the same time be manned up and be able to play great coverage against a team’s most shifty receiver. We’re very fortunate in that regard.”
No. 24 MSU is fortunate because it has two players to play that role.
Junior Brian Cole has performed well as the starter at Star, but an injury kept him out of the game against then-No. 8 Auburn. Junior Jaquarius Landrews stepped in and held his own in a 23-9 win to prove he can be a useful option when MSU (4-2, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) needs it.
“We miss Brian, and we look forward to getting Brian back, but we’re very confident in (Landrews),” Shoop said. “You could make the case going through spring ball and fall camp it was neck and neck. I was excited to see him get a lot of reps and get the opportunity to play because in the second half of the year we’re going to need him.”
Landrews’ consistency helped him play a key role against the Tigers. Earlier this season, Shoop described Landrews as a player who “doesn’t do anything extraordinary but does the ordinary things well.” At a position where the assignment can change on each snap, that is more than enough.
That skill didn’t come naturally.
“I get extra time with coach Shoop. It’s good to get extra time and I take advantage of that,” Landrews said. “I try to learn more. I really take advantage of my playbook as much as I can. When you rep it so many times, you go out on the field and do it, it clicks in your head.
“Sometimes it takes you to mess up to get it right, so I had to take a lot of coaching to get it where it’s right.”
Landrews had three tackles and a pass breakup against Auburn. Halfway through the season he has 11 tackles, two for a loss, a sack, and a quarterback hurry. Landrews has made an impact by perfecting the ordinary.
“It goes back to paying attention. You have to pay attention in meetings, on the field,” Landrews said. “I really get in my playbook real hard because I want to be a leader. I follow the veterans who are in front of me. I look up to them and their spot. They tell me what to do; I want to be like them. It makes me want to go harder because sometimes I want to tell them what to do.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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