STARKVILLE — Another week, another quarterback announcement.
Following the season-long trend, Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead named freshman Garrett Shrader the starter for the Bulldogs’ matchup with Louisville on Dec. 30 in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee.
“Although we talk about this being the exclamation point on the 2019 season and kind of a momentum-builder towards the 2020 season, we’re starting Garrett because he’s earned the right to be the starter,” Moorhead Friday. “I think he’s 2-2 in the games he’s started, two SEC games. He’s moved the ball well against teams that we haven’t beaten. He’s fully healthy and has the confidence of the team.”
In 10 appearances this season, Shrader has completed 88 of his 153 attempts for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s also added another 587 yards and six touchdowns on the ground while averaging 5.19 yards per carry.
Graduate transfer Tommy Stevens had been recovering from an injury he suffered against Abilene Christian Nov. 23, though Moorhead said Friday the former Penn State signal caller is now healthy.
“That’s certainly not a knock against Tommy,” Moorhead said of starting Shrader. “Tommy’s healthy, but – I don’t want to say go with the hot hand – but Garrett’s proven when he’s the starter, that we’ve won football games. Tommy’s going with the twos right now.”
Purvis, Russell recovering from car crash
Following a car crash on Highway 25 south of Starkville Tuesday night, freshman defensive end De’Monte Russell and freshman safety J.P. Purvis remain in recovery.
Russell left the hospital the night of the wreck, while Purvis was discharged Friday and met the team at practice that day.
“On the night it happened, myself, (Director of Player Development) Jay Perry and (Defensive Line Coach) Deke Adams showed up,” Moorhead said. “We were there the entire time. With J.P. left and then De’Monte got discharged that night around 12:30, 12:45. We got out of there that night, and the next day we had signing day. But my wife and I went to see J.P. with Jay and then (Athletic Trainer) Thomas Callans was with him and it seemed like the whole town of Pelahatchie was with him.”
Marve heading to Tallahassee
Following reports earlier in the week that MSU linebackers coach Chris Marve would join Mike Norvell’s staff at Florida State, Moorhead confirmed the rumors Friday.
Marve previously spent five years at Vanderbilt — his alma mater — before joining Moorhead’s staff ahead of this season.
“We wish him the best of luck, but just like no coach or player is bigger than the program, we have a next-man-in philosophy for our players and the same goes for coaches,” Moorhead said Friday. “We want people who want to be here. This is not a stepping stone. It’s a destination.”
Moorhead announced that defensive graduate assistant Nyeem Wartman-White and defensive quality control analyst John Shalala will take over the linebacker coaching duties. Wartman-White previously played for defensive coordinator Bob Shoop at Penn State.
Cole sitting out as NFL Draft decisions loom
As was the case with No. 1 cornerback Cameron Dantzler, MSU nickelback Brian Cole II will not play in the Music City Bowl Moorhead announced Friday.
Cole — who began his career as a receiver at Michigan before heading to East Mississippi Community College — will conclude this season with 67 tackles, two sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception in 12 games.
In other NFL Draft news, Moorhead also said his staff is continuing to provide information to those players making decisions on their professional futures. He previously said MSU had requested draft grades for Dantzler, junior defensive end Marquiss Spencer, junior running back Kylin Hill and junior linebackers Willie Gay Jr. and Erroll Thompson.
Underclassmen have until Jan. 20 to enter the 2020 NFL Draft.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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