Mike Leach updates three-man race for final wide receiver starting spot

A lot is being made of SEC schools coming down to the wire with their quarterback battles (LSU, Auburn) – but in Mississippi State‘s Air Raid offense, it’s just as important for head coach Mike Leach to focus on the talent he has in his wide receivers room.

With less than two weeks until the Bulldogs kick off their 2022 regular season against Memphis, one starting spot remains in the receiving corps. Leach has said the battle is between Rara Thomas, Justin Robinson and Jordan Mosley – but none of the trio has made a definitive case as to why they should be considered in Leach’s starting lineup.

“I don’t know, but somebody’s got to separate themselves,” Leach said about the WR battle. “I mean, I thought early on all three were playing relatively lethargic and then I think now they all three are playing pretty hard. They’re playing for playing time right now, and so we’ll see who rises to the top between those three.”

Thomas is coming off of a promising freshman season where he ended the year with 18 receptions and five touchdowns (tied for third-most on Mississippi St. last season). The Bulldogs also added two transfer receivers in Mosley and Robinson, and Leach elaborated more on Robinson’s development from spring practice to now.

Robinson didn’t see the field much at his previous school Georgia, but brings a ton of size and potential out wide for the Bulldogs standing at 6-foot-4 and 22 pounds. Mosley has a similar story as he transfers in from Northwestern with minimal playing time, but both are looking to make their presence felt and be featured pieces in this year’s air raid attack.

Between them and Thomas, someone will be forced to step up, or step out as the Bulldogs are looking to replace the production of their top receiver Makai Polk, who grabbed an SEC-leading 105 receptions last season and is now in the NFL.

Leach has 13 days to figure out who deserves that final spot in his Air Raid offense. While lineups are subject to change due to various reasons up until the very last second until kickoff, knowing which 11 guys should run with the one’s at practice everyday is a luxury most teams aren’t allowed.