Mike Leach addresses the addition of Jackie Matthews to the Mississippi State secondary

Mississippi State bolstered its secondary this offseason by bringing in Jackie Matthews from the transfer portal. As training camp got underway last week, Bulldogs coach Mike Leach provided a one-of-a-kind assessment of his new safety.

Matthews arrives in Starkville from West Virginia, where he totaled 44 tackles, a sack and an interception in 2021. So far, it sounds like he’s impressing as Mississippi State gets ready to start its 2022 campaign against Memphis Sept. 3, particularly with his speed.

“He’s really fast,” Leach said. “That’s one thing, he is an inordinately fast guy. He has to keep improving.”

But Leach — in true Mike Leach fashion — said there’s still one area Matthews needs to improve.

“Sometimes he’s fast in the wrong direction,” Leach added. “But I think he’s getting better.”

Zavion Thomas has the eye of Mike Leach early in Fall Camp

Zavion Thomas comes to Mississippi State as a highly touted wide receiver recruit from the Class of 2022. He’s already caught the eye of Air Raid head coach Mike Leach.

“He’s been really explosive in the offseason and has done a lot of really good things,” Leach told reporters. “And, I think, yeah, we are gonna have to check him out and see if he’s ready to play. I mean, you got to give him a little time in order to, you know, learn things, get comfortable. But, no, he’s explosive and does a lot of good things.”

That’s high praise from Leach for Thomas. It’s difficult to stand out in any FBS conference as a freshman, let alone the SEC. The fact that Thomas is standing out for his athletic ability before getting a year or so in the team’s strength and conditioning program is a good sign.

Thomas has the ability to make a name for himself, though. He was a four-star recruit and the No. 14 prospect in Louisiana, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average.