STARKVILLE — When Ashton Shumpert was young, he watched his grandfather closely as he worked.
Shumpert’s grandfather, Sylvester Green, was usually putting in long hours on the farm trying to provide for his family. At age 65 or 66, Shumpert said his grandfather is still working in a factory to this day.
That work ethic inspired the Mississippi State football running back and he tries to live up to his grandfather’s hard work nature.
“He did a lot and I just learned that from him I think,” Shumpert said. “Working kind of became play, it’s like second nature.
“I remember him out there mowing the yard and I had a little baby mower and I would be right behind about five or six feet.”
Talking to his coaches and teammates, they are all impressed by Shumpert’s work ethic. Although he may not think he is working hard or giving every bit of energy and effort he has, his coaches and teammates see differently. Shumpert will showcase that work ethic as MSU (2-2, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) plays host to Auburn (3-2, 1-1) 11 a.m. Saturday (SEC Network) at Davis Wade Stadium.
After totaling eight carries for 42 yards in the first two games against South Alabama and South Carolina, Shumpert had 34 yards on six carries in a road loss to LSU. MSU football coach Dan Mullen talked about Shumpert’s effort in practice and in the games in his postgame press conference.
It being Shumpert’s senior season, Mullen is not surprised at all by his running back’s willingness to put in the work in practice.
“That’s just who he is and he’s a veteran player so he knows how he goes hard,” Mullen said. “We were doing rep counts, he’s up there on the team in total number of plays played. You wouldn’t think that. I think he’s at 210 snaps through the fist four games. That’s a lot of reps because of how many special team things and how many other things he does for the team. I think he’s just got a great personal drive on top of being a senior in the program and really knowing how to push himself.”
Coming out of Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton, Shumpert chose MSU over Ole Miss. He didn’t get the benefit of a redshirt year as MSU had limited numbers due to injury and turnover in 2013.
In his first three seasons, the 6-foot-2, 218-pound Shumpert had 692 yards on 152 carries and six touchdowns, including three in his initial season. He had 21 catches for 158 yards.
MSU running backs coach Greg Knox has seen Shumpert’s hard work day in and day out.
“He’s a tremendous kid,” Knox said. “Everything he does, he does it 100 percent. He’s going to give you everything he’s got. He is a kid that enjoys the game. In the offseason, you may find him up here on Saturday just playing football with some other guys or with some of his cousins. He’s a guy that will stay after practice. He just enjoys being out there on the field. He’s going to work, regardless of the situation, he’s going to come to work every day.”
With a first-year starting quarterback in Nick Fitzgerald, the Bulldogs need veteran leadership in the backfield. Senior Brandon Holloway and Shumpert have filled that role.
Fitzgerald, who has started all four games, has leaned on Holloway, and Shumpert especially.
“He’s a big time guy,” Fitzgerald said. “He comes in every day, works his butt off and doesn’t really say much. He’s not a very talkative guy unless he needs to be. Ever since I’ve been here, he’s just been a guy that shows it day in and day out and works his butt off.”
Shumpert’s progress at MSU hasn’t always been forward. Many expected him to become the starter last season, but Holloway ended up getting more carries. He has served as Holloway’s backup this season.
However, Holloway showed promise in the last two games. He had 68 yards on 12 carries and a 12-yard touchdown in a 47-35 win at UMass before last week’s open week.
Knox said it was good to see the hard work Shumpert put in to pay off and he said Shumpert is aware of that.
Shumpert said he is not frustrated by the rotation.
“I wouldn’t say it’s hard to get into a rhythm because some people don’t even get a chance to do it,” Shumpert said. “I feel like we all cherish it and we try to take care of the moment we have.”
Shumpert’s work ethic has carried him through his career at MSU. He doesn’t see himself as a hard worker though. Instead, he just goes about his business.
“I never really carried. I just liked football the whole time,” Shumpert said. “Things just come with the game. I don’t try to work hard or go hard, they just happen.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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