STARKVILLE — Sweat rolled off Billy Gonzales’ face Tuesday as he watched his young players in his position group.
The Mississippi State wide receiver coach stood on the Jugs machine and barked out instructions as the Bulldogs ran through a drill involving two dummies acting as defenders and a cone that signaled where they were supposed to break down and turn back to him.
Gonzales didn’t say much said to senior Fred Ross and junior Donald Gray. They are pretty polished in part because Gonzales coached them when they were younger.
Gonzales was more vocal with the rest of his receivers. It’s not surprising because the Bulldogs will have to overcome inexperience with a group that includes three redshirt freshmen.
“We don’t have a lot of players who have had receptions in games, but I have players that have played and some who have redshirted and hopefully understand the system and what we are here to do,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales lost starter Fred Brown, who was dismissed from school, and De’Runnya Wilson, who passed up his senior season to enter the NFL draft, in the offseason. Wilson went undrafted. MSU also lost letterman Joe Morrow to graduation. The three combined for 1,430 yards and 14 touchdowns. But redshirt freshmen Keith Mixon, Jonnas Spivey, and Deddrick Thomas are expected to make big contributions. They will get their first chance to show what they can do against South Alabama at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 (SEC Network), at Davis Wade Stadium.
All three saw action in the spring. Many accounts had the 5-foot-8, 175 pounds Mixon as the most impressive. Mixon didn’t have the best Maroon and White Spring Game, but he showed flashes in the spring.
MSU football coach Dan Mullen called Mixon “electric” and Gonzales used the adjective “explosive.” Mullen has been impressed with the high school running back’s transition to wide receiver.
“He goes into that category of a guy we have had some success learning how to be a wide receiver, not just a great playmaker,” Mullen said. “He is a guy whose receiver skills have improved as he has developed. I just can’t wait to put the ball in his hands and let him go. When you put the ball in his hands, he’s an exciting player.”
Ross, who led the Southeastern Conference with a school-record 88 receptions in 2015, and Gray, who had 386 yards and two touchdowns, were limited in spring. Ross didn’t play after having groin surgery, while Gray missed the second half of the spring season after hyperextending his knee. The injuries opened the door for Mixon, Spivey, and Thomas.
Ross was impressed with Mixon as he watched from the sideline.
“He is a pocket rocket,” Ross said. “He can score anytime he touches the ball. I can’t wait to see him play. I expect him to be a big part of the offense because of his big-play ability and potential to score every time he touches the ball.”
Mixon scored 66 of his 73 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Shades Valley (Ala.) School.
Mixon knew he was going to redshirt when he arrived at MSU campus. He knew he wasn’t ready when he met with Gonzales and broke down the offense and saw what was expected. Mixon said the redshirt season was an eye-opener and helped him grow as a wide receiver.
After hearing what Gonzales, Mullen and Ross said, he was humbled.
“It feels good just to know coach G and coach Mullen trust me,” Mixon said. “They see I have talent. It’s great knowing my position coach and head coach trust me. I know I can make plays for them.”
Mixon, Spivey, and Thomas have different strengths. Like Mixon, Thomas, who is 5-9, 188, is smaller, but explosive. Spivey, who is 6-0, 200, said he is comfortable going over he top. He called Mixon and Thomas “fast” and “shifty.”
Spivey’s redshirt season was spent in the playbook, but he took advantage of practice time and watched the older guys to pick up the little things needed to be successful.
“It’s all about being patient and staying consistent,” Spivey said. “When your time is called, you have to step up and make the big plays. I’m comfortable now. When the ball comes my way, I just have to be consistent with it.”
Gonzales was impressed with Spivey’s play in the spring, especially a couple of plays that wowed him. Gonzales always says, “the play doesn’t make the player, the player makes the play.” That’s what he saw from Spivey.
“Jonnas had some short balls thrown to him that he was able to bring to the house,” Gonzales said. “I’m excited if you look at the numbers.”
Like every fall camp, the first few days of practice are about getting back to game speed. Mixon, Spivey, and Thomas have been through the drills, so they know what to expect. Gonzales feels the redshirt years could help them step in this season to make plays.
“You recruit these players and if you are fortunate enough some of them redshirt and get some time to really develop,” Gonzales 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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