STARKVILLE — Jamal Peters wants to make a permanent move.
The Mississippi State football sophomore began his career as a safety. He practiced at wide receiver in the spring, but was moved back to the defensive side of the ball during fall’s training camp. But instead of going back to safety, he was moved to cornerback with injuries to the likes of Tolando Cleveland and Cedric Jiles.
With a season of playing the new position behind him, Peters like what the cornerback position offered and wants to do it full-time. Peters will get one more game to play the position as MSU (5-7) plays Miami (Ohio) University (6-6) Monday, Dec. 26 (ESPN), in the St. Petersburg Bowl in St. Petersburg, Florida.
“I’m already used to it,” Peters said. “I’m getting way better than I was before I got over there so it isn’t any problem. I think I should stay there because I’ve played receiver and safety and corner’s the hardest position on the field I think. You’re going against the best receiver every day.”
The move to wide receiver in the spring was to help with depth issues with injuries to Fred Ross and Donald Gray, and although Peters played some wide receiver at Bassfield High School, the coaches decided to move him back.
Peters missed most of training camp with an injury, so he didn’t began his transition to cornerback until the season was upon the Bulldogs. MSU defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon said he is excited to see how Peters will develop at corner during the bowl practices and next spring.
“He’s still an infant,” Sirmon said. “He’s developed within the season, which that doesn’t happen very often. He’s kind of been trial by fire of getting his game reps and a little bit of good on good. But he hasn’t gone through an offseason, he hasn’t gone through spring ball or training camp of getting that time with coach Buck (cornerbacks coach Terrell Buckley).”
Peters played in 12 games as a freshman and had 25 tackles (1.5 for loss), a sack and two pass breakups. Peters has 10 tackles (1.0 for loss), two interceptions, one pass breakup and three passes defended in 11 games this season.
Peters missed MSU’s 21-20 opening loss to South Alabama. He made his debut at cornerback against South Carolina in game two and recorded his first interception.
Peters said he became more comfortable at his new position as the season progressed and that showed as he had two tackles and an interception in the end zone in the first half as MSU beat in-state rival Ole Miss 55-20 in the Battle for the Golden Egg.
“I think that was the best one,” Peters said of his Egg Bowl performance. “I had set a goal when I moved to corner and I said to myself, ‘I want to go out there and have one of my best games at corner against Ole Miss.’ I had a chip on my shoulder to just go there and show them I could play corner. Many people thought I couldn’t play it with my size, but I really shocked a lot of people.”
Peters said he even thought about the Ole Miss game as MSU prepared for Arkansas the week before.
At 6-foot-2 and 217 pounds, Peters isn’t a typical cornerback. He said with his size he has had to trust the techniques that Buckley has been teaching, like getting his hands on the receiver to avoid getting beat.
Buckley agrees that Peters needs to trust his techniques.
“It’s important for everybody, but especially for a big guy because they’re usually not as quick and agile as smaller guys,” Buckley said. “Angles, getting to the spot, understanding the football knowledge, anticipating before it happens helps big guys to have the illusion that they’re quicker than they really are.”
Buckley has been amazed with how quickly Peters has taken to the new position. Bouncing around between safety and wide receiver, there was a lot thrown at Peters. But Buckley said Peters has accepted the challenge and Buckley has been pushing his young player to get the best out of him.
As long as Peters stays healthy, he will get an entire spring and training camp to practice at his new position. The last few bowl practices have been big for Peters according to Buckley and he said Peters is already taking a step in the right direction.
Peters feels like he has found his position and is excited for what the future might hold for him.
“I’m looking forward to being a key starter on defense at corner and just do what I have to do,” Peters 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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