WATCH: Mississippi State senior Keyvone Lee embraces new duties for Bulldog backs
In his first season at Mississippi State, running back Keyvone Lee made the most of his opportunities although those opportunities were limited in 2023. But these days with a new staff, the former Penn State transfer is seeking more chances for more production in his final college campaign.
Lee is currently involved in a close competition at running back. But it’s more of a team-first attitude inside that room, he said. On Wednesday Lee met with the media to share his thoughts on camp along with the upcoming season:
Q: How have the running back responsibilities changed in this offense compared to last year?
Lee: This year is a little different because Coach (Jeff) Lebby uses us everywhere. We could be lined up outside, lined up inside, start from the backfield and in the pass game and we’re blocking. Anywhere he can get us the ball, he will try to get us the ball.
Q: You like that better?
Lee: Yes, of course.
Q: What have you seen from Davon Booth so far?
Lee: I just see a player who’s ready. He came in focused with a goal. He got around us and we brought him in and treated him like a brother since Day 1.
Q: What about freshman Xavier Gayten?
Lee: A lot of speed. I like him. When he starts playing it’s gonna be something scary.
Q: Coach Anthony Tucker said it may be a running back-by-committee this year. What’s the mindset of that room right now?
Lee: I just control what I can control. I go out every day and just try to work my behind off and try to get better within myself. I don’t try to worry about things I can’t control. So I just come to work every day and let it speak for itself.
Q: Do you like having all those different responsibilities at running back?
Lee: Use me any way you can. I’m an athlete. The NFL doesn’t just want guys that can just run the ball. They want guys that can catch it out of the backfield and line up wide and go against linebackers.
Q: What has Coach Anthony Tucker emphasized to you guys?
Lee: I can say mentally tough. That’s like his favorite word that he always says. Mentally tough. You just got to have a mindset that’s just better than anybody on the field and that when you come out, you’re the best player.
Q: How much does the competition in that room push everyone in practice?
Lee: It gets emphasized a lot and we push each other to get better every day. If one person messes up we pick them up. We are brothers at the end of the day. We compete but we’re brothers.
Q: How valuable is it for you to go into your last year with an offense that can get you a lot of touches?
Lee: It helps a lot. In this offense we are going fast. It’s really helpful to have more than one running back that can hold it down.
Q: How is Seth Davis handling his situation and being out this season?
Lee: Seth is taking it better than anybody that I think would take it. Me personally, I wouldn’t take it (well). He’s still around and is still in all the meetings. He’s still around and taking it good.
Q: The offensive linemen said they like to see the backs blocking. Is that a focus for the backs?
Lee: That’s something we’re really working on. You got to block because we’re going to pass the ball. So we got to protect Blake (Shapen) at all costs.
Q: After the first scrimmage, where do you think the running backs need to improve the most?
Lee: We really looked good for our first scrimmage. We did our thing. The running back room was pretty solid. There’s things we got to work on, little things and the little details. But other than that we did great.
Q: Your thoughts on the offensive line so far?
Lee: Man them boys working. They’re coming out every day working. Tired, no matter what, they’re still grinding and I love that.
