Senior Deonte Anderson updates progress of Mississippi State's defensive line
This offseason has brought about a lot of roster changes for Mississippi State. Moreso than any other position on the field, the Bulldogs’ defensive line depth chart features many new transfers and new faces.
However, there’s still a few veterans remaining in that group, including senior defensive end Deonte Anderson, who had 18 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack last season. These days. Anderson is getting accustomed to the changes on the defensive line with those new transfers and even new defensive coaches.
Last week Anderson met with the media to share his thoughts on spring practice and the progress of the defensive front:
Q: How’s it going with two defensive line coaches in practice?
Anderson: I feel like it’s good but it is confusing sometimes. You will have word from both sides and they’re going to tell you what’s wrong. They’re critiquing, helping you.
Q: What are you focused on the most this spring?
Anderson: Me, being a better pass rusher. Getting to the quarterback quick, getting off blocks quick.
Q: As a veteran now, how are you leading this spring?
Anderson: Just being the show person, showing them how to do it. Asking questions, slow the game down and what their reads are on offense that you can pick up quick.
Q: What do you feel like this defense has improved on since last year?
Anderson: I feel like this year we improved on being together. Also, being more physical and everyone is together.
Q: How does it help your game to have bigger defensive tackles this year?
Anderson: Me, I can really have trust on the inside. Because you know I like to set the edge. So I know they’re not going to run inside, honestly. I feel like that will help me and I will help them, too.
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Q: At your position group, who are some of the guys you are competing with?
Anderson: People I am going against in the room? Well, Red Hibbler, Joe Head and Trevion Williams.
Q: Your thoughts on the new transfer class coming in?
Anderson: I think it’s great, honestly. I feel like we will have better rotations now. Everybody knows what to do. Everybody is getting in the game and nobody is new to it.
Q: What message is David Turner emphasizing to you this spring?
Anderson: Coach Turner just wants me to be more consistent. Coach (Vincent) Dancy has been really hard on me being like the model, being the show person and pushing to the ball, doing the right thing, doing the right details.
Q: Do you see any difference in the defensive line this spring?
Anderson: Yes sir. I feel like last year we didn’t have a rotation, for real. We didn’t have depth. But this year I feel like we have way more depth, way more energy, way more comradery, also.
Q: Is it more fun this spring?
Anderson: It definitely is. Everybody here is together so it’s like everybody is enjoying the game. Nobody really has their head down. Everybody is just worried about their job.
Q: Last year there wasn’t much of a generated pressure from the defensive line. How can that change?
Anderson: That is going to be a required thing for the Dline this year. The run stop is a different part but we are just trying to get to the quarterback.
