Jett Johnson, Tulu Griffin consider different fall camp atmosphere under Zach Arnett
Big changes are taking seed for Mississippi State this fall camp as the Bulldogs pivot from being led by the late Mike Leach to getting coached by defensive-minded Zach Arnett. Linebacker Jett Johnson and wideout Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin have taken note.
While Johnson was a bit more mum on the changes, Griffin expressed that a great deal has been changed, but in terms of structure and schedule — and of course, the playbook — but also attitudes. That is one area he and Johnson were lockstep on: It’s been a hard-nosed vibe in fall camp for Mississippi State under Arnett.
“Coach Arnett is very hard nosed. It’s all very hard. We practice a little bit earlier which really seems to have no — it’s still hot. You’re still going to have to make a decision whether you’re going to let the heat break you or not, and that’s on us and the coaching staff to make the decision,” Johnson said.
Arnett has brought in Kevin Barbay to serve as offensive coordinator, installing a more run-heavy scheme after years of Leach running the Air Raid. That scheme change has, naturally, grabbed headlines.
But as Griffin described things, it was plenty of other things standing out.
“Just how practice is run, the meetings. And then we have walkthrough at night. It’s completely different from last year,” Griffin said.
In the end, he’s a fan.
“It’s completely different from last year. Cause Leach and all that they run is way different. But I like it, though,” Griffin said.
His defensive teammate had a simple summary of the vibes around Mississippi State this camp.
“It’s going to be a very long and hard camp,” Johnson said, “which is great for us.”
Arnett discussed the offensive install early in camp
Despite these massive changes to the offense, Arnett isn’t ready to say how he feels about the offense. It’s too early in Fall Camp.
“Not until we put pads on, I can’t answer that,” Arnett said. “I mean, this is not football. Right, I mean, obviously report day all you do is talk. Head coach gives a speech, both coordinators give speeches, their side of the ball. All you do is talk. Look at me, this is what we’re gonna do. We’re gonna do that and it’s all just a bunch of empty words, right?”
Ultimately, Arnett isn’t going to think much of Mississippi State until they put the pads on in practice. Until then, it’s hard for him to get too excited.
“And the first two days are kind of the same thing. You’re going over assignments. You’re talking about fundamentals. But, obviously, we don’t have pads on, right, no one’s hitting,” Arnett said.