STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen wanted to make sure he had enough tight ends in the incoming recruiting class just in case.
Mullen didn’t know if Gus Walley was going to be able to play this season due to injuries, so he signed Dontea Jones, Christian Roberson, and Jordan Thomas. The move gave MSU needed insurance because Walley wasn’t on the football team’s spring roster, which was released Wednesday. A team spokesperson said Walley and offensive lineman Jake Thomas are no longer on the team due to injuries. Spring practice begins March 9.
Concussions cut Walley’s career short. He played in eight games last season due to the concussions and caught 19 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. His final game with MSU was Nov. 21 against Arkansas.
Rising sophomore Justin Johnson is the only tight end with significant playing time on the roster.
Thomas, a former Columbus High School standout, didn’t play last season. He played in two games as a redshirt freshman in 2014. Mullen said in late October that Thomas “was going through some injury stuff.” He never said what injury Thomas was suffering.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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