STARKVILLE — The first five practices of Joe Moorhead’s first spring as Mississippi State’s head football coach have had plenty of visitors. Some of them were fans for the open practice last week, some at Thursday’s practice were MSU faculty invited to practice, others have been coaches from different levels visiting the new staff.
The latter has given Moorhead reason for optimism.
Moorhead addressed the media after MSU’s practice Thursday and praised the team’s progress in installing the new systems. MSU will not practice on Saturday but will return for Tuesday and Thursday practices before a closed to the public intrasquad scrimmage the following Saturday.
“I’m excited that this is Day Five here and from a coach’s standpoint and observational standpoint of people out here, people are shocked that this is day five of a brand new installation from a brand new coaching staff,” Moorhead said.
Injury news
MSU’s first four spring practices had just one player, wide receiver Keith Mixon, in the red jersey reserved for those entirely out of practice due to injury. Thursday’s practice saw to more join the ranks: tight end Christian Roberson and wide receiver Malik Dear. Roberson was seen with a protective boot over his left foot and ankle.
Moorhead called both injuries, “lower body injuries,” and labeled them day-to-day injuries.
Dear missed last season after injuring his knee in spring. Former MSU coach Dan Mullen toyed with the idea of bringing him back for the second half of last season, but ultimately went ahead with a redshirt year for him.
Nothing new for McLaurin
MSU safety Mark McLaurin made himself the toast of the offseason with three interceptions of former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson in the TaxSlayer Bowl win over Louisville. It was an impressive ending to a season in which he led the Bulldogs with 79 tackles and six interceptions.
He’s made sure nothing has changed since then.
“Everybody talks about it, but it’s like I tell them, let’s just keep working,” McLaurin said. “It’s a whole new season. That was the end of last season, that’s a wrap and I can’t get it back.”
Despite his teammates doing what they can to make him revel in his glory, it’s possible taking in a new defensive system after the coaching change has made ignoring it easier.
“It’s been pretty good, just taking it one day at a time. It’s remaining humble and keep working, not getting a big head,” McLaurin said. “It’s mostly the same stuff. We just have to lock in and learn it.”
Thomas impressed with freshman
It didn’t take long for junior wide receiver Deddrick Thomas to recognize something different in early enrollee freshman Devonta “Whop” Jason. All he needed was to see him make a jumping catch.
“His body, the way he controls it and boxes out. He reminds me of a basketball player, a big man,” Thomas said. “When he goes in the air, it’s him and the ball and if you’re behind him, you’re not getting to it.”
Jason’s first five practices as a Bulldog have been impressive ones to Thomas and his fellow wide receivers. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound freshman from New Orleans — Landry-Walker High School, the same high school as MSU backup quarterback Keytaon Thompson — has been working at every wide receiver position available, Thomas said.
“He looks good. Whop, he’s going to be a very good component for our offense,” Thomas said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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