STARKVILLE — Gerri Green was ready to be Richie Brown’s backup at middle linebacker.
The Mississippi State football sophomore linebacker practiced exclusively at inside linebacker during spring drills. But when fall camp began earlier this month, first-year defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon decided to move Green.
Green was moved to the viper position, a hybrid defensive lineman/linebacker. It also acts as one of the outside linebacker positions.
Although Green spent all last season and the spring practicing at middle linebacker, he was happy to accept a new role.
“I just feel like I’m doing whatever I need to do to get on the field,” Green said. “Richie, he’s an incredible player and a smart guy. He’s made a name for himself playing at MIKE. The playing time he gets, it’s deserved. I’m just trying to get to where he is, find my way on the field.”
There is a possibility that Sirmon uses Green at the middle linebacker position if Brown goes down, but Green’s main focus is viper. Green and MSU play host to South Alabama 11 a.m. Saturday (SEC Network) at Davis Wade Stadium to open the season.
Sirmon, who was at Southern California last season, will use a base 3-4 defense but will use multiple looks. The viper position is prominently featured in his defense. He described the position as “defensive end to a standup outside linebacker.”
Sirmon wants to get the most out of his players and utilize their versatility and athletic ability. So moving Green was an easy decision.
“It has a lot to do with the style of playing that we are defending,” Sirmon said. “He is a guy who has good size, good physical tools and most importantly a smart guy that will be able to play multiple positions. We are going to start him out at the viper position, but I can get him developed at inside linebacker. I want to see him playing on the edge a little bit and then from there we will know what direction we want to go with him.”
After redshirting in 2014, the 6-foot-4, 248-pound Green was named to the All-SEC freshman team last season. He played in 13 games and drew one start. He had 49 tackles (2.5 for loss) and three passes defended.
He recorded a career-high 11 tackles against Troy Oct. 10.
The Greenville native called the middle linebacker position the “quarterback” of the defense. Although he feels like he can handle that role, he is happy not to have all the power.
Playing the viper position will improve his knowledge and give him a better insight if he has to move back to middle linebacker.
“I feel like it just helps me know what’s going on all across the defense,” Green said. “I know where the ball needs to go and what needs to happen on each play.”
Green did not record a sack last season, but with his new position he is expected to be in the backfield more. That’s one of the most exciting draws of his new position.
“That’s fun,” Green said with a big smile. “Everybody wants to get after the quarterback, so anytime I have a chance to do that I’m all for it.”
Playing middle linebacker, Green was removed from the offensive line. That’s not the case with his new position, and he said that is the most difficult thing to get used to.
“Just being so close, being that close to the offensive lineman or the tight end,” Green said. “Usually playing the inside, you have a little time before you’re up on contact.”
Senior defensive lineman Will Coleman, redshirt freshman defensive lineman Anfernee Mullins and freshman defensive lineman Marquiss Spencer have also been practicing at the position.
Green’s move to the outside was unexpected, but with nearly a month to get a handle on the new position, he has taken to it well.
“It had it’s ups and downs, but I feel like as camp went on I got more more comfortable with it. It’s something that I’m going to keep adjusting to for the season,” Green said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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