STARKVILLE — Everyone was accounted for as Mississippi State opened preseason football practice. No absences to be explained later, no injuries, all eligibility issues resolved.
That perfect attendance also applied to the 20 2018 signees, all but three of them in their first collegiate practice on Friday. It was their baptism by fire.
“They’re forgetting little things like their helmet in the locker room, forgetting to tie their cleats, but it happens to all of us the first time out there,” senior defensive end Gerri Green said.
The first practice for that freshman group was a hectic one, and those signs showed.
“I saw a lot of guys who were trying to figure out where to go and why,” MSU coach Joe Moorhead said through a smile.
That list of players: offensive lineman Kwatrivous Johnson, defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy, quarterback Jalen Mayden, defensive lineman Fabien Lovett, linebacker Aaron Brule, tight end Geor’quarius Spivey, linebacker Nathaniel Watson, cornerback Esaias Furdge, cornerback Jaylon Reed, safety Shawn Preston, linebacker Jett Johnson, linebacker Sh’mar Kilby-Lane, defensive lineman Devon Robinson, offensive lineman Kameron Jones, defensive lineman Cameron Young, tight end Brad Cumbest and wide receiver Cameron Gardner.
The real challenge for them is later in the first week of practice.
“We had some young guys make some plays. I think the plays they saw today, we’ve gone over it 50 times over the summer,” quarterback Nick Fitzgerald said. “These plays we were running today, everybody’s heard and seen, gotten on the board and gone over a hundred times.
“We have another install (Saturday) and they have one night to learn a whole new install, I think that’s where their heads are going to start spinning a little bit, and then there’s another one. I’m excited to see how they’re going to handle more information as it piles up and there’s more installs.”
Fitzgerald back in action
After a spring of being limited from certain drills, a precaution for his mending ankle, Fitzgerald is now practicing in full.
“No. 1 he looked healthy. His drops were clean, run game footwork was good,” Moorhead said. “He’s going to participate in everything. training staff has talked about limiting reps as training camp goes on to limit wear and tear.”
Fitzgerald said he is now running on it with no fear, having felt at 100 percent since he started running and doing frills with the team at the end of May.
“It feels tight from time to time, but it’s very reasonable, very manageable,” Fitzgerald said. “Obviously it’s taped up really tight to make sure it’s not going anywhere, but the running I’ve been doing all summer, it hasn’t been too bad. Right now I feel great.”
Strides in learning system
MSU’s defenders have probably gotten used to this process, as some are now playing for their fifth defensive coordinator in as many years, but Bulldog offensive players are doing this for the first time this preseason: learning a new system.
It was a big priority in the spring, and having seen one practice Moorhead thinks things are going well.
“We had great retention from the spring game to now, which shows the guys were studying film and doing things on their own over the summer,” Moorhead said.
Summer gains
Moorhead proved how strongly he feels about strength and conditioning coach Anthony Piroli when he took over at MSU. Moorhead tried to hire Piroli in the past and was unsuccessful, but made another go when he made the move to MSU, this time successfully. Now Moorhead has his man and he’s seeing the results.
“It felt great to be back on the field, see some of the fruits of Coach Piroli’s labor,” Moorhead said. “Guys are in great shape, changed their body compositions, got a lot cleaner.”
Through the summer under Piroli’s watch, players could have been motivated by the Iron Dawg awards he gave out at the summer’s end. They were given to: Green, defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, offensive lineman Darryl Williams, safety Johnathan Abram, wide receiver Austin Williams, safety Mark McLaurin, linebacker Willie Gay and tight end Justin Johnson.
Moorhead said the strength and conditioning staff awarded them on a, “subjective criteria,” that included effort, attendance, punctuality and performance.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
